FAST Act or FAST one?

President Obama has proposed the “Fixing Americans Surface Transportation”Act, aka the FAST Act.

It sounds good on the surface (pardon the pun.)

This analysis comes from an OP-ED n the Viewpoints section of today's Buffalo News (Sunday March 6, 2016).

First: It is supposed to provide greater predictability for the states in knowing what their funding is going to be. That would be nice for us because of how much of WNY's roads and bridges need fixing. There are a few roads that I know if (and I'm sure others can chime in on) that really need to be stripped down and be rebuilt. Bridges too. There are bridges I like to avoid because I don't really like the way they look. I don't care what the engineers say.

Second: It is supposed to provide for a bolstered freight funding and strategy for moving goods across the states and nation. Red flag here for me. To me freight is less important than the people that make what is being transported. And road safety for drivers is more important than the freight that is being moved. To me, this sounds like making money is more important than people. Then again, we live in a capitalist society, so it is ...

Third: This one sounds strange, but the accelerated implementation of disruptive technologies. This title needs fixing (seriously). What it means is the implementation of technology that will reduce traffic jams and road congestion, Why? So workers can get to and from work faster and good can get to markets faster. I would think that passenger safety would be more important.

Now, NY has terrible roads and bridges in many areas. I can tell you about nightmares in WNY, the Rochester area, Livingston County, the Syracuse region. I'm sure others can add more than I can.

The author makes a big case for New York City. I don't care about NYC. I don't live there. It means nothing to me.

In my opinion, the author should have tailored the argument for each region of the state, not one that pushes the agenda of NYC.

Then again, how much of my tax money is going to subsidize the corporations that HQ in NYC?

Or, how much of my tax money is going to subsidize corporations that depend upon the roads in NYC?

I want Buffalo and this area fixed up.

I want to know how much money will be coming here to help us fix up all the damage done here?

I want to know how much money will be going to fix up the country roads that I have to drive on for work? (Tie rods and bearing are not cheap. Especially after some of the pot holes that I have to dodge. And yes, roads in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Jamestown, Dunkirk, (fill in your community here) all need fixing.

Why is this article about NYC?

Sell me on that one.

Socialists demand: Fair funding for all road projects.

Whether in the big cities or small communities, if we can't travel on the roads, we can't get to work or go shopping. Or do anything for that matter.

And then the economy will really crap out.

Then what good will the Tappen Zee Bridge or Gateway Tunnel be?