King of the Road

"What’s up with groups that argue for less government but see publicly built highways as an expression of the free market?"

http://www.governing.com/articles/0804trans.htm

I find it exceedingly strange that a group of conservative and libertarian-oriented think tanks — groups that argue for less government — have embraced highways and roads as a solution to traffic congestion and a general boon to living. In the same breath, they usually attack mass-transit spending, particularly on trains. They seem to see a highway as an expression of the free market and of American individualism, and a rail line as an example of government meddling and creeping socialism."