Federal “principles” will not solve the problem. A look at the relative priorities of federal, federal via state, state, and local initiatives over the past decade shows what might work — local transportation funding with local resources?

But where would those local resources come from? A national health care financing system, which would eliminate the massive and potentially devastating local government cost of health care for retirees and (in some cases) the uninsured. New York City and its counties would also benefit from getting rid of the local share of Medicaid.

These savings would exceed any federal infrastructure spending that is likely to occur. And each level of government would be taking sole responsibility for its sphere, ending the dispersed accountability we have now.

I absolutely don’t want my transporation $ going through DC. I probably don’t want them going through Albany, either.