Why are NZers so vehemently opposed to...

Submitted by harsh bloke on Fri, 2008-02-08 19:27

... paying motorway tolls?

I keep reading in the news about how motorway projects are delayed or scrapped or whatever because when they open it up to public consultation, the public tells the powers-that-be to shove it up their toll booths.

If there are free roads leading to the same destination, what's wrong with paying for the speed and convenience of the motorway (assuming that motorways become fast-flowing and convenient when tolls are introduced and traffic is reduced)?

PS: This is not a criticism; I'm genunely interested to know.

Comments

Submitted by Robsta on Fri, 2008-02-08 21:50.

Pfffftttt...

That's too fucking easy ! Because they're not use to it, it's change, and change is always the one thing everbody hates ...

Submitted by harsh bloke on Fri, 2008-02-08 22:32.

Well, if that's true, it's ironic. NZ has changed so much and so rapidly that I can hardly recognise it when I visit.

Submitted by rope on Fri, 2008-02-08 22:03.

i think it's cos the $2 for the toll, would be enough to buy one more for the road.

Submitted by Robsta on Sat, 2008-02-09 00:45.

Ummmm Ironic ?!? Maybe ...

Mate, you stay here long enough the next time you're around you'll notice they still bitching about things ! Taxes, MMP, Maori's, Prime Minister, Student Loans, Labour Party, National Party, Price Most Stuff, Mortgages, Gas, Hey things change but it won't change them...

Submitted by harsh bloke on Sat, 2008-02-09 18:50.

> Hey things change but it won't change them...

Ha! Good one. 8-)

Yeah, it's strange... When I lived in NZ, drink-driving was endemic; apartments and other high(er)-density living was extremely rare and people were horrified - horrified, I tell you - at the thught that apartments might become a more common feature in the future; drivers paid a toll to cross the harbour bridge until it was all paid for; and there were lots of other things that would be considered inappropriate these days. So, NZers attitudes have changed, but maybe they haven't noticed... I dunno.

Anyway, it seems strange that NZ and NZers are evolving and modernising, but the mere mention of motorway tolls sends them into conniptions.

Submitted by rope on Sat, 2008-02-09 19:27.

conniptions. new word for me. adding it to my folio.

u make a good point harshbloke, got me thinking about some huge changes, 1986 homosexual reform act, introduction of eftpos, introduction of GST, MMP, STA (admittedly it took almost 20 years after the terrorism to introduce the act, but), NZOA, NCEA
the right to wear a t-shirt that says "vote labour" without having to register it with the authorities, the driving licence system, the decline in our national sports teams, corporal punishment, cellphones, the internet, the drinking age, speed cameras, diversion, female prime ministers, bike helmets, the dissolution of a number of currency units, the floating of the NZ dollar, the waitangi tribunal, swim between the flags, don't use your back like a crane, slip slop slap, if you drink and drive your a bloody idiot, student loans. 25 years.

Submitted by foal30 on Sat, 2008-02-09 19:39.

Len Ring, pleased you mentioned him and Bike Helmets

as for tolls, Tax spending is now only for what suits me. This is the product of 25 years of free-market sluts masquerading as elected representatives.

Submitted by harsh bloke on Sat, 2008-02-09 20:47.

Haha! Bend your knees!

Wasn't there another public service announcement for marriage counselling or something? The couple would bicker and row about something and suddenly the picture would freeze and the voice-over said, "Let's try that again." Take two, and the couple was in the same setting and situation, but suddenly the aggression and sarcasm and animosity were nowhere to be seen, and the couple was all lovey-dovey.

Submitted by rope on Sat, 2008-02-09 20:56.

God that hits home. i recall the ad now, i'd almost blanked it out, my wife left me for our marriage counselor 8 years ago.bring on the barcodes! save the trees

Submitted by rope on Sat, 2008-02-09 20:47.

"free-market sluts masquerading as elected representatives."

true description there foal. i i often deign to imagine those MPs as kids at primary school, imagining helen clark sitting through maths, pondering on if and when when she can lead our nation and decrease our freedoms of speech. or any number of those clowns, planning a career in politics and visualizing how they can most sell our nation out to America. i'm confused as to whether these free-market sluts masquerading as elected representatives were always of that ilk, or whether someone got to them somewhere down the road, that's some fucked up 69.
certainly when i was in primary school, imagining my career as an amateur cranky government whinger, i never foresaw they'd make it so easy.