Not as much whining and complaining this month as usual–just a call to action. We have a critical issue on the upcoming election ballot that needs support from all of us.

The Lawrence bus system is in dire peril. Although we voted it in once (through a city commission election in which it was the pivotal issue), our current rulers have decided to junk it if we don’t vote to tax bread and milk to support it.

The arguments for the bus system are as many as they are familiar. Buses get people to work who otherwise might be unemployed, and on the dole. Buses serve people who can’t drive. Buses are enormously more efficient than the private cars that prop up the Saudi monarchy and clog our streets.

Amazingly, Lawrence’s city commission is unable to direct its staff to find $1.5 million within a budget of more than $140 million to keep the buses rolling. We have far more money for street repairs, or for recreation programs, than for buses. Buses don’t cost a lot more than what we spend on tourism promotion.

And then there are the little budget items that add up to a lot. We can afford a free bus from downtown to the football stadium on game days, because that will help merchants (as if having a regular bus to take people downtown would not also mean cash in the till). Downtown wants a five-figure amount from the city for a party, and the funding comes through immediately. Corporate welfare, of course, sails ahead, despite evidence that it’s money down a rathole. The city is spending half a million (including a state match) to coordinate traffic lights to make car-driving easier. The school district is about to spend $14.5 million on extravagant new sports facilities, and yes, that’s a different pot of money, but it’s tax money, nevertheless. The various Lawrence governments have loads of money, but not sensible priorities.

Meanwhile, the high cost of driving is turning people toward public transportation everywhere, including Lawrence. The KU buses have so many riders the system struggles to cope with them. The buses that run from KU to Johnson County are standing-room only. Kansas City, Kansas, is adding Sunday service to its bus system. Salina, with about half the population of Lawrence, is starting a new bus system.

The Lawrence vote won’t be easy. Opponents of buses are organizing, seemingly under the leadership of an outfit that calls itself “Americans for Prosperity.” Prosperity for the rich, that is–the organization is reportedly funded by the Koch billionaires of Wichita, the major backers of the Libertarian party, which basically opposes all governments and their budgets, and therefore should really be called the Anarchist party. Expect a high-dollar media campaign to sell us on voting against buses.

We’re looking at tyranny of the majority. Car drivers, who account for maybe 80% of all transportation (public transit, walking, and bicycling split the rest), are in a position to grab 100% of our transportation resources. A fair distribution would keep the buses rolling.

It’s the biggest issue on our ballot this year. A vote for Obama in Kansas doesn’t really count under the goofy electoral-college system. A vote for buses matters.

If every Lawrencian reader registered and voted for buses, the issue would pass in a landslide. Those who send contributions to the Campaign to Save the T will help even more. The address is PO box 1131, Lawrence 66044; the website is www.savethet.org; email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . See you at the polls.