Tell me if this sounds familiar: "We hard-working, regular people of [insert state name here] already pay for those freeloading people in [insert city name here]."
In particular, I'm referring to the ongoing debate happening in Pennsylvania now about tolling Interstate 80, but I think this sentiment can be found in many places. The common thread, whether in PA, NY, IL or wherever, is the big freeloading city, full of lazy welchers, versus the rest of the state. I think I'm particularly sensitive to it because I grew up in an urban/suburban area but now live in a rural one. (Incidentally, I use I-80 to visit my family back home, so I'm not that happy about the tolls either. But I understand that roads cost money and bridges don't last forever.)
On to specifics about the I-80 toll controversy and who really pays more in states with an urban/rural divide . .
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