Apparently
unfamiliar with the concept of irony, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) has
drafted an angry letter to the chief of Washington D.C.'s Metro,
complaining that protesters at last weekend's 9/12 "tea party" had
difficulty traveling by transit -- the very transit system that Brady voted against aiding, and the epitome of government spending that the tea partiers claim to oppose.
Tea partiers protesting Big Government's intrusion -- and its failure to adequately support transit, of course. (Photo: WaPo)Brady's monumental audacity has awakened a welcome chorus of boos from the liberal blogosphere.
Steve Benen asked
how the Texas conservative could demand that the government provide "a
basic level of transit service" for tea partiers but not a basic level
of health insurance. Atrios observed that the episode exposes non-urbanites' conception of cities: as "big urban theme parks."
But
the most interesting response to Brady's hilarious lament came from
Metro itself, which took the episode with the utmost seriousness. A
spokeswoman from the transit system says the "circumstances surrounding the large crowds will be researched and a response will be sent to Brady."
Here's a suggestion for that response: Let us spend money on operating costs, congressman!
Check out Brady's full -- and uncivil -- letter to Metro chief John Catoe after the jump.
To Mr. Catoe:
I
write this letter on behalf of my constituents of the 8th Congressional
District of Texas – many of whom traveled at great expense and time to
our nation’s capital to exercise their right of free speech in the
Taxpayer March on D.C. which was held on Saturday, September 12. These
individuals came all the way from Southeast Texas to protest the
excessive spending and growing government intrusion by the 111th
Congress and the new Obama Administration.Based upon
numerous eye-witness reports by participants in the march, it is clear
METRO did not adequately prepare for the influx of Americans traveling
to D.C. for this historic event. I want an explanation why.During
the march, I heard complaints from elderly veterans in wheel chairs who
were denied use of the subway because not enough METRO cars were
available and the METRO cars that did arrive were full to overflowing
capacity.An 80 year old woman and her 60 year old daughter
were forced to walk – and eventually pay for a cab – due to overcrowded
conditions on the METRO. I heard many such complaints. These
participants, whose tax dollars were used to create and maintain this
public transit system, were frustrated and disappointed that our
nation’s capital did not make a greater effort to simply provide a
basic level of transit service for them.METRO was certainly
aware of the march due to widespread media attention ahead of time.
While the turnout was certainly much larger than predicted, it appears
that METRO added no additional capacity to its regular weekend schedule.I
request that METRO promptly provide my office with a full summary of
all preparations and actions taken by the agency ahead of and during
the gathering, especially related to additional capacity, service, and
security.Sincerely,
Kevin Brady
