I was born in the Soviet Union, and I can tell what’s socialism from a mile away. I’m not criticizing the MTA though. I’m sure things are the same or worse in road and bridge construction, welfare, Medicaid, etc. Just over there no one bothers to inspect and produce damning reports. I can only guess how many car accidents happen in New York City because road builders fail to follow basic safety standards, like draw lane markings correctly.

I guess that without a Japanese work ethic, Chinese punishment system, or European sense of community, our vaguely socialist, union-special interest-government system will perpetuate itself for quite some time.