No, I'm not picking a fight. It's funny, being around Europe that they sometimes have policies of great freedom that we couldn't imagine, even though collectivism smothers their economy and lifestyle.
Samizadata compliments a new bridge in France, built with private money, new technology and design (Reardon Metal?), and a funding source recently discussed in this blog:
This bridge gives the world perhaps its biggest and juiciest taste so far of just what a huge impact on road transport the era of road pricing, now getting seriously underway, is destined to have. At first, environmentalists favoured road pricing, because they thought it would discourage cars. Alas for vain hopes. Road pricing make it possible for the private sector to build more and more magnificent roads. This bridge could never have been contemplated, let alone built, had the French not long been in the habit of paying to use their fastest roads.
Cool bridge, and not an arch or a square cornered window to be found! But just to blow our US horn, check out the Sundial bridge, just completed in Redding, Ca. (Ok, so the architect was a Spaniard) It is a working sundial as well as a pedestrian bridge with an opaque glass walking deck. (sorry, not sure how to paste the photos in)
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/structures/CreativeCrossings.html
Posted by: Silence Dogood at December 16, 2004 02:58 PM
Don't kid yourself. If socialist France had wanted to stop this "auto subsidy" they could, and would, have done so. It is truly gratifying, however, to see private capital construction on such a large scale in such a politically and economically backward nation as France.
As for moving there, I'd sooner try my luck at convincing US Democrats to become capitalists. I'm afraid both are losing propositions though, so I'll stick with trying to convince Republicans that, if they insist on believing in the actual existence of God, at least understand that He "wants EACH of us to take care of ourselves" and He "created currency for us to use as a trading tool" and not a tool of charity or equality.
Posted by: johngalt at December 17, 2004 01:27 PM