Well, 7 million people dependent on the NYC MTA system (that is about 1/1000 of the earth's population if my befogged brain is calculating right) are out of luck today as the transit workers union goes on strike. I keep hearing tough talk from the MTA president, Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki regarding this strike as being illegal and irresponsible. But I want to put this into perspective:

This is the same MTA that pleaded poverty to get a rate hike but was actually keeping two sets of books. One set showed a deficit one set showed a surplus. They got their rate hike ANYWAY, despite their misleading and probably illegal book keeping practices. But they promised not to ask for another rate hike too soon after.

They then broke that promise and increased our fares again. The simple fact of the matter is that with this MTA our rates KEEP going up, jobs KEEP getting cut, service KEEPS getting cut and we still can't trust anything they say becase we know they will keep two sets of books and lie to the public. This is the MTA that the transit workers have to deal with.

Let us also consider the tough talking Governor and Mayor. When questioned about the increasing fares and decreasing service, both the Mayor and the Governor claim that they have no power over the MTA. In essence the MTA is a buffer between NY politicians and the consequences of transit troubles. And yet the Mayor and Governor are coming out solidly against the union and for the MTA this morning, favoring the side that has already shown itself not to deal in good faith with the public. The MTA, the Governor and the Mayor are on the same page regarding NYC transit. Customers and labor are a low priority for all of them. Increasing fares are not their problem. Decreasing service are not their problem. Closed token booths are not their problem. Declining maintenance and increasing delays are not their problem.

But it is all our problem. The MTA, the Governor and the Mayor have for years now been presiding over a declining transit system. Fares, delays and overcrowding are all increasing under the current MTA, Governor and Mayor. They all pass the buck when it comes to responsibility. I do not feel that I can trust the MTA. I do not feel that the MTA, Governor or Mayor cares about my transit needs. This has been shown over and over again. Do we even know if the MTA's practices of keeping two sets of books continues? How can we trust these people?

For these reasons, I find my sympathy goes to the transit workers even though their strike is a major pain in the butt for me and my family. I am hearing the mayor and governor right now blame the workers for this situation. Yet they and the MTA also bear full responsibility. Yet they do not take responsibility. The triumverate of Mayor, Governor and MTA do nothing but pass the buck when it comes to responsibility. I am sick of it. I am sick of my fares going up. I am sick of a transit ride that should take 40 minutes taking an hour or more. And I am sick of labor being blamed for the problems that management create.

I support the transit strike against the unreliable and untrustworthy MTA, Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki.