"Highway robbery" metaphor for tolls in Maine (MEDIA WATCH)

A columnist Jeff Pidot at the Kennebec Journal in Maine rolls out a lame cliche often hurled at tolls that they are "highway robbery." He doesn't actually compare Maine Turnpike toll rates with those elsewhere or with the costs of building and operating roads. That would be work. And the real data might undermine his case.

He just draws attention to the increase and not to the length of time tolls have been frozen while costs rise.

But let's leave that be...

What about the "highway robbery" metaphor? 

Here's how a toll road is different and why the metaphor is ridiculous.

Highway robbers take their money at the point of a gun: "Your money or your life." They'll take everything the traveler has. They appear unexpectedly and randomly. They are robbers.

A tollroad is much less glamorous. It's just a business. It posts its prices for everyone to know - on signs and on the internet. The prices are even discussed and often officially approved before they are set.

Since the prices are known before motorists go on the road, they have a choice. If they think the prices are more than the trip is worth to them, they don't use the tollroad. They use another road or another mode, or they don't make the trip.

An openly declared price.

Choice to pay or not to pay.

A freely chosen business transaction versus arbitrary attack and "give us everything you are carrying."

It's a preposterous metaphor and those who use it should be treated as unserious on public policy.

Here's the article:

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/view/columns/5943595.html

TOLLROADSnews 2009-02-15