Tag: schools

Life, Politics, politics, taxLeave a comment

Rural Hospitals Redux

Mark Cathcart

The Takeaway yesterday had a good segment on rural hospitals, basically continuing to “cry wolf” about their affordability. One of the participants in the discussion is, Dr John Waits, who with his colleagues and staff at Centreville Clinic Staff, are doing their best to help their community afford their healthcare. Dr Waits struggles valiantly in the discussion to avoid using the terms profit and subsidy. This is a mistake in my opinion, while you can talk about healthcare efficiencies, people need to hear that large hospital groups are for profit, yes even the not-for-profit ones. People need to understand that … Continue reading Rural Hospitals Redux

culture, Life, transport, travelLeave a comment

Transit Indicators – BNSF, School Buses

Mark Cathcart

When I look at the state of US transit, especially public transport, the two biggest indicators of the failure of US transit are BNSF and School buses. Why BNSF? The Burlington North Santa Fe Railway Corp. was the dominant rail company when I lived in Texas, and here in Colorado. Without a detail look into their tracks, trains, and business model, my summary is, they run massive trains, often over thousands of miles of single track lines. The tracks often run right through the middle of cities, the track commands significant space either side of the track. This isn’t their … Continue reading Transit Indicators – BNSF, School Buses

Life, Politics, politics, tax3 Comments

Can America afford it’s rural communities

Mark Cathcart

We hear a lot about the “takers” in America, a classification for, usually inner-city people who survive on benefits, unemployment, housing, medical, food stamps and more. Mostly the venom about takers also contains a racial element, it’s directed at black and minority groups who many assume benefit from Government programs without paying in. It’s not often directed at the President himself, but as the New York times pointed out last year, Trump himself could be the ultimate taker. What we don’t hear much about is the affordability of rural towns, and even many of the suburbs. One of America’s greatest … Continue reading Can America afford it’s rural communities