Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

faux_populists.gif
Why do Richard Brodsky and Walter McCaffrey  get to have all of the populist soundbite fun?

Last Friday, in a story about the Committee to Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free stepping up its lobbying efforts, the Daily Politics blog published this gem of a rallying cry from pro-congestion lobbyist Walter McCaffrey:

"You are in the driver's seat. Put the brakes on congestion
pricing now before it goes to Albany.
"

Which means, of course, it's time to launch the Congestion Pricing Populist Soundbite Contest. Paul White at Transportation Alternatives gets us started with the following:

"Diiiiing Dooong. You are in the subway seat. Tell your state legislator not to hold the doors on congestion pricing."

Here's mine: 

"You are walking across the street. Put the brakes on congestion pricing opponents before one of them runs you over in his Buick Skylark."

I'm sure you can do better...

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Streetsblog’s ‘Car-Free Carolers’ Bring the Joy, Mirth and Ho-Ho-Hope to this Holiday Season

Streetsblog's singers are back, belting out their parody classics to make a serious point: New York's roadways don't have to be dangerous places for kids and lungs, but can be joyous spaces for people to walk around, shop, eat or just ... hang out.

December 18, 2025

At Last: Council To Pass Delivery Worker Deactivation Protections

At its final full meeting, the Council is poised to deliver protections to delivery workers.

December 18, 2025

Serious Traffic Injuries Went Up This Summer Under Adams, Bucking a Trend

The city recorded a 5-percent increase in serious injuries in the most-recent quarter, though overall injuries are down.

December 18, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: The Parks Mayor Edition

A coalition of greenspace-loving groups is demanding that Zohran Mamdani make good on his promise to raise the Parks Department's budget. Plus other news.

December 18, 2025

Mamdani Vows To Appeal Ruling that Killed DOT’s Astoria Bike Lane

The city has yet to appeal the nearly two-week-old ruling — but a new mayor says he'll change that pronto.

December 17, 2025

OPINION: I Led the Campaign To Get Cars Out Of Central Park, But I Strongly Oppose an E-Bike Ban

People now calling for a ban on e-bikes seem to forget what the park was like before cars were banned. It was way worse.

December 17, 2025
See all posts