To the editor:

Roger Powell (Public Forum, Sept. 25) is against the T because he thinks he’s “done the math.” Unfortunately, he hasn’t. He’s simply done basic arithmetic – and done it poorly and out of context.

What he hasn’t calculated are the overall benefits provided by the T and its ridership, the concept of the “public good” or even what he’s being asked to pay.

For example, a number of people I know – people with disabilities – now have jobs and can get to them because of the T. Instead of being on the “public dole,” they are taxpayers, just like Roger Powell. Sure, they may not be able to afford cars or gas, but they are now productive, taxpaying members of our community.

A number of other folks I know use the T to get to doctor’s appointments, support groups, therapy sessions, and other things designed to get THEM to the point where they, too, are productive – and yes, taxpaying – members of society.

Powell’s argument seems to be that, because he personally sees no monetary benefit from the T, such a thing doesn’t exist.

He also apparently thinks that public transportation needs to be self-supporting, rather than a public good like the roads I assume he drives on and never thinks about the taxes he pays to support.

Voting “yes” for the two T issues will cost you a quarter for every taxable $100 you spend. That’s apparently too much for Roger Powell. Hopefully it’s not too much for the rest of us.

Kendall Simmons,
Lawrence