No free lunches

I read with interest Brian O'Neill's column about Pittsburghers being ripped off by high Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls ("Ask Not: The Roads Will Be Tolled for Thee," May 24). I agree, the situation is a disgrace. Unfortunately, nobody is talking about the real, equitable solution: raising the gas tax to levels that will fund our infrastructure needs.

To me it is very simple: Our fellow citizens need to be told that the quality of their roads will be in proportion to the size of their tax. If they decide they like potholes and traffic jams, they can leave it where it is. If not, raise it. The small car thing is not a real problem because the rate can be raised to bring in more money as gas usage falls (and have the side benefit of discouraging the use of gas hogs).

I'm tired of politicians crying that their hands are tied when they really don't have the political courage to do what needs to be done. Everyone wants something for nothing, but in the end there is no such thing as a free lunch.

BILL KULP
Upper St. Clair