tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900368.post111810236497113298..comments2024-03-22T08:07:27.428-04:00Comments on "Talking Transportation": “Value Pricing Our Highways”JIM CAMERONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619138540116037421noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900368.post-1118172349095485932005-06-07T15:25:00.000-04:002005-06-07T15:25:00.000-04:00Jim: Couldn't help adding my 'two cents' on this o...Jim: <BR/>Couldn't help adding my 'two cents' on this one...<BR/>Your 'value pricing' is essentially a good concept, but you -- along with Milton Friedman -- over-simplify.<BR/>As you are well aware, there are certain necessities (e.g., food, shelter, clothing,...) and services (e.g., sanitation, electric power, highways,...) that are non-discretionary -- i.e., whose demand is mostly inelastic to changes in price. <BR/>I have no problem with judicious use of 'carrots' and 'sticks' to not-so-gently influence private actions for the public good (e.g., a prohibitively high surcharge on the purchase of gas-guzzling SUVs). However, in your rosy scenario, the wealthy will just pay the difference without thinking twice (I've seen this phenomenon over and over) while the needy who may have no choice (for instance, in getting to work) will be unduly squeezed.<BR/>Sharpen your pencil!<BR/><BR/>Paul Weinberger<BR/>Technology Management<BR/>P. O. Box 270119<BR/>West Hartford CT 06127-0119<BR/>(860) 674-1161<BR/>tech_mgt@comcast.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com