President’s Proposals on Energy

In response to “Bush Proposes $105-Billion Highway Plan” (Part A, Feb. 14):

White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater says the battle for transportation funding is just a “normal kind of special interest jockeying for funds. . . .” Oh no! You mean the vicious light-rail lobby is attacking the poor, defenseless petroleum/insurance/auto industry PACs again? The nerve!

Let’s get real for a second. Gridlock is not fun. Parking is hell. Smog and Los Angeles have become synonymous.

Fitzwater uses our “desire for independence” to justify the lopsided highway funds proposal. What does he mean--the freedom to eat, shave, put on makeup, get dressed, etc., all during the commute to work? Relax! Helping urban mass transit doesn’t mean abandoning cars altogether. We can keep a few around for those who can’t adjust.

The rest of us will have to make some adjustments, too, like not sitting in traffic, not spending so much money on parking, insurance and gas. And we might have to walk a block or two from the rail station to the office. But won’t it be worth it?

To Fitzwater, I would say that mass transit is just the opposite of a special interest: It’s relatively small time when it comes to profits, and its advocates are mostly concerned citizen groups working to improve their respective cities.

CARL WALINSKI

Canoga Park