America Doesn't Need a Transportation Bill, We Need a Transportation POLICY

There is a thread on National Journal Experts Blog Transportation:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2008

How To Write The Next Transportation Bill?

Although we don't have a new Transportation secretary yet, we do know that the most important task that person will face will be guiding the reauthorization of the surface transportation law (SAFETEA-LU), which expires Sept. 30, 2009. The nation's transportation needs have changed and expanded dramatically since the Eisenhower administration launched the Interstate System in 1956. At the same time, the fuels tax that has funded the program since its inception can no longer serve as the sole source of revenue as people drive more fuel-efficient vehicles. What do you think the new secretary's top five priorities should be for updating the law to meet the nation's 21st-century transportation needs?

-- Lisa Caruso, NationalJournal.com 

Isn't the formation of a 21st century transportation "policy" really what is called for?

President Obama should elevate the position of Secretary of Transportation to the same level of importance that he says he is raising the Secretary of Commerce to. 

A strong Secretary of Transportation, working in concert with a strong Secretary of Energy to develope policy's needed by us is impaerative if we are to develope the new transportation and energy sources that we so badly need.