OK, sure, the American Society of Civil Engineers commissioned by Virginia officials to study Metro in Tysons didn't directly conclude that Representatives Tom Davis (R-ICG Group) and Frank Wolf (R-Phony Moderatesville) were full of it. The engineers' report isn't political, and I'm sure they'd be too diplomatic to say that anyway. However, look at the facts here, and decide for yourself:*Wolf and Davis came out this week warning Gov. Kaine that selecting the tunnel option - as opposed to the pennywise, pound foolish, and extremely SHORT SIGHTED idea of a 30-foot-high elevated track through the heart of Tysons Corner - "would imperil federal funding and doom the entire 23-mile line."
*In other words, instead of using their supposed clout on Capitol Hill, as Tom Davis is MORE THAN WILLING to do for his friends, cronies, and wife, these two senior Republicans are utterly unwiling to lead on a project of enormous signficance to their districts, to Northern Virginia, and really to ALL of Virginia and the DC Metro region. Thanks a lot, guys!
*The expert engineers panel completely refutes the concept that a tunnel in Tysons would be "prohitiviely expensive," as Wolf and Davis erroneously claim. According to the engineers, the difference is only about 10% ($2.3 billion for the elevated tracks vs. $2.5 billion for the tunnel), and "The panel's cost estimate does not include other benefits that officials say would come with a tunnel...such as the tax revenue the state and county would lose by shutting down Tysons roads for above-ground construction."
*The whole argument by Wolf and Davis that the federal governnment's strict cost standards for transit projects would doom Metro in Tysons with the tunnel option was completely slammed by the engineers. According to the expert panel, "the cost difference between a tunnel and elevated track was so small that the project could win approval from federal transit officials." In addition, the panel concluded that "[t]he federal cost formula is flexible enough to take into account other factors, such as the greater longevity of a tunnel vs. an elevated track." So much for Wolf's and Davis' ridiculous, specious arguments.
*Finally, let's conclude with what the Coalition for Smarter Growth had to say yesterday, that "Not only would the tunnel have a longer life and cause less traffic disruption due to construction, it is critical to the very success of the project." The CSG added:
Without the design and pedestrian accessibility changes made possible by the tunnel, ridership will be lower and more people will choose to drive into Tysons Corner. The Dulles Rail project would simply not live up to its promise. It is critical to get the design of the system right from the beginning.
Do Davis and Wolf understand this? If not, why not? Or, do they undertand it but simply not give a rat's ass?
*Oh, and by the way, if Davis and Wolf are SOOOO worried about the cost of this project, then why did they BOTH vote last night to slash the estate tax, "reduc[ing] federal revenue by $268 billion over the next decade, to the overwhelming benefit of the country's richest families?" Priorities, priorities...
The bottom line here is this: Tom "DeLay" Davis and Frank Wolf "in sheep's clothing" are Congressmen who have fallen completely out of touch with their districts. Despite Davis' and Wolf's potentially valuable seniority, they refuse to USE that theoretical clout to actually HELP THEIR OWN DISTRICTS. Instead, they fall right in line with the far-right-wing agenda of slashing taxes at a time of huge and never-ending budget deficits. They spend their days working to provide special favors to their friends, families, and corporations "with access" to the Congressmen.
Based on these actions (or inactions), and utter failure to provide leadership on important matters like the Tysons Corner Metrorail tunnel, I would srongly argue that both Tom Davis and Frank Wolf have long passed their expiration dates, and should be tossed out in November along with the rest of the recyclables. In their place, we should put Andy Hurst and Judy Feder, two vibrant new Congressmen with fresh ideas and a concern for ALL the people, not just those with "access," and for whom "the hearing was a deliverable." As far as Davis and Wolf are concerned, the message is simple: get these guys outta here!
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.