Why stop there?

Dear Editor:
Gov. Christie’s Administration has revealed plans to make Liberty State Park financially self-sufficient by invading the park’s greenery with a hotel, an amusement park and a restaurant. This is an intriguing idea. Why stop at parks? How about installing turnstyles so pedestrians could pay to walk on public sidewalks? Could the police pay for themselves by having yard sales of confiscated weapons and narcotics? Firefighters are said to be good cooks. Why not have them finance their departments with bake sales?
The possibilities are endless: Reinstate chain gangs for prisoners. Have high school students manufacture license plates. Authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to run stock car races.
If we’re going to abandon the notion that healthy communities share the costs and benefits of a decent society for all, why not go all the way?

Dan North

© 2000, Newspaper Media Group