Beirut's Clogged Arteries: A Call for Action

One could talk endlessly about the corruption endemic in this city and in the country as a whole, but truly enough is enough. They used to say that the electric tram stopped running in Beirut because it was the only thing that went in a straight line.

What an embarrassment it must be for the winning team in the last general election, now that everything seems to be working perfectly, to have this fly in the ointment, to be haunted by this "ghost of Christmas past." By that I mean the perennial traffic problem, the clogged roads, the lack of alternative transport options, the lack of affordable parking, all the fruits of previous administrations' criminal inaction, their refusal to step up and find practical solutions.

Hariri's own Party shares a sizable chunk of this blame. They were in office many times before and they showed us about as much imagination in fixing the country and finding creative solutions for our daily woes as... well anyone who has ever been in office. Power must be an instant amnesia pill! Our politicians seem to forget they are in office to work for us not do favours for their friends.

I call on all the workers of Beirut, those who prop up the "rich man's" economy, to put pressure on the government and city officials to start treating commuters with the respect owed them.

They can start by finding alternative transport that is efficient, reliable, non-polluting and affordable. Open up all the empty plots of land in the city as emergency temporary parking lots. Give commuting workers special stickers to place on their cars so they can park for free in paid parking zones. Start building new multi-story parking. Start building an underground or elevated metro rail system. Start doing something.

Only direct action and constant pressure will bear fruit. So I call on all those as frustrated as I am to start by going on strike for one day. Stay at home next Monday, refuse to join the world's biggest traffic jam and fumes factory, say enough is enough.

If that does not work, become pedestrians for a day, walk to work, even if it takes two hours, at least save on gym membership. Walk in the middle of the road, make it difficult for all those who are driving to get any where. Walk in groups. Start your own walkathon.

If that does not work, close roads, all roads, by just sitting in the middle of them. No burning tyres, just people leaving their homes and standing in the middle of the road for as long as it takes to fix this problem.

People, take charge, dont sit and take it. We deserve better.

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