If you are searching for a sign that the government has gone too far in trying to influence or even control the way you think, look no further than your favorite bus route. Last Thursday the CTA began running audio messages on-board buses urging riders to support the City's bid for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. This at a time when polls suggest that support for the Games among Chicagoans is dwindling amid concerns that taxpayers will be on the hook for any financial losses.
The CTA's mission is to provide public transportation. Nowhere is it stated that the CTA can engage in the promotion of any individual or group agenda. It is understandable that Mayor Daley, the Honorary Chairman of the Board for the 2016 bid, wants to see Chicago awarded the games. Throw Ron Huberman, former CTA President and current CEO of Chicago Public Schools, in there too. He's on the Chicago 2016 committee after all. But frankly speaking, it is completely inappropriate, if not unethical, to use the CTA to pound home what is shaping up to be a political message. Riders are a captive audience. They can't just tune out the loud voice. They are riding the CTA to move through their days, not to be inundated with propaganda. Since the majority of the CTA's board was appointed by Daley himself, one has to wonder what sort of pressure was used to get the messages put in place.
During a recent phone conversation, Tom Tresser, a member of No Games Chicago, questioned the practice. "Where does it end," he asked. "It's already everywhere you look. At the airport, in the school system, the use of public buildings and police for community forums and meetings. Now you can't even ride the bus without it being forced on you. And who is paying for this? Is Chicago 2016? I doubt it." Tresser also raised another interesting question. Can anyone pay to have advertising broadcasted on a public bus? According to the CTA Media Relations Office "They are not advertisements. The CTA is airing messages at no charge in support of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics," and "No. The CTA does not sell audio advertising." They also said the messages were produced by Chicago 2016.
Tresser is right. Where does this end? If things continue to go badly for Mayor Daley we may one day board a CTA bus only to hear a message asking, or rather telling us to vote for him come re-election time. What other sorts of messages will we be subjected to in the future? It is one thing to want the Olympics. It is quite another to use publicly funded entities to shove it down the public's throat. For those waiting to see if the taxpayers will be on the hook for any of this, the wait is over. They already are.
To voice your opposition to the CTA Olympic messaging call 312.664.7200
Comments
I am 100% FOR the 2016 Olympics & dislike any announcements on the CTA, but this is a necesary step.
The entire city is being turned over to the Olympics and we haven't gotten the games yet! The taxpayers are totally on the line for this block party for the wealthy and connected. The only group sticking up for the citizens here is No Games Chicago. Visit us at www.nogameschicago.com and sign up for our newsletter and sign our online petition.
Well done, Matt. That bus recording has been soundtracking my sleep.
The USA and Chicago do NOT deserve the Games. We just finished wrecking the world economy. Also the USA had the Games in 1984 and 1996. South America and Rio deserve to have them . It is the fair thing to do.
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