The Toll of Automation: Cutting Jobs, Raising Prices—A Violation-

1/1/2025

EXECUTIVE ORDER: Cordova for President > 2028 PRESIDENTIAL PLATFORM > EO - Eliminating Unjust Toll Road Systems to Restore Public Access and Fairness

The Toll of Automation: Cutting Jobs, Raising Prices—A Violation of Rights or Just Greed?

In an age where convenience reigns supreme, automated toll systems have replaced the friendly toll booth operators we once knew. While these systems promise faster commutes and reduced congestion, they come with a heavy cost: job loss, rising prices, and potential violations of fundamental rights. Are these toll systems simply the inevitable march of progress, or are they a case of unchecked greed?

The Automation Era: Convenience at What Cost?

Automation was touted as a win for everyone. Machines would streamline processes, reduce operational costs, and save time for commuters. Yet, the reality paints a different picture. Thousands of toll booth operators were rendered obsolete, their livelihoods taken in the name of efficiency. Meanwhile, toll prices have continued to climb, with little justification for these increases.

The savings generated from automation—no wages, no benefits, and minimal operational costs—haven’t been passed on to drivers. Instead, they appear to be funneled into profit margins, leaving everyday Americans paying more for less. But is this just a financial issue, or does it infringe on deeper principles?

A Constitutional and Natural Law Perspective

The Right to Travel

The U.S. Constitution, though not explicitly, protects the inherent right to travel freely across states. This principle, affirmed by the Supreme Court in cases like Saenz v. Roe , underscores that movement is a fundamental right. Toll systems, particularly those with ever-increasing fees, place a financial barrier on this right, effectively restricting freedom of movement based on one’s ability to pay.

Automation exacerbates this issue. By cutting jobs, it reduces economic opportunities, particularly in communities that rely on these positions. This creates a double burden: fewer jobs and more expensive travel.

Equal Protection and Economic Disparities

Under the 14th Amendment, every American is entitled to equal protection under the law. Yet, toll systems often disproportionately impact low-income individuals, creating a two-tiered system of mobility. Those with financial means can travel freely, while others are forced to limit their movement or divert funds from essential needs.

Natural law, which emphasizes the inherent rights and dignity of all individuals, clashes with these inequities. Roads and bridges, as public goods, should serve the collective benefit, not operate as barriers that deepen economic divides.

Accountability and Public Trust

Toll systems, particularly those run by private entities, raise questions about public accountability. Natural law principles suggest that essential resources, like roads, belong to the people. When these resources are privatized and operated for profit, they deviate from their intended purpose of serving the public good.

The Greed Factor

Automation’s promise of efficiency and savings seems to have come at the expense of fairness. Despite drastically reduced labor costs, toll prices continue to rise. Is this truly necessary, or is it a reflection of greed? Private operators of toll roads frequently report significant profits, while maintenance and infrastructure improvements remain minimal.

This trend represents a troubling shift. When public infrastructure becomes a profit-driven enterprise, the focus moves away from equitable access and toward maximizing revenue—often at the expense of the people who rely on these services the most.

A Path Forward: Balancing Progress and Justice

We can harness the benefits of automation without undermining constitutional principles or natural law. Here’s how:

- Eliminate Barriers to Travel : Transition toll systems to public funding models, ensuring roads and bridges remain accessible to all, regardless of income.

- Transparent Pricing : Mandate accountability for toll operators, requiring public disclosure of revenue, expenses, and justification for price increases.

- Reinvest Savings : Use automation savings to improve infrastructure, support displaced workers, and reduce toll fees.

- Federal Oversight : Establish federal protections to ensure toll systems align with constitutional principles, including the right to travel and equal protection under the law.

Conclusion: Roads for the People

The freedom to travel is a cornerstone of American society, rooted in both constitutional protections and natural law. Roads and bridges, essential to our nation’s infrastructure, must serve the public good, not corporate profit.

The rise of automated toll systems highlights a dangerous trend: prioritizing efficiency and profit over fairness and equity. It’s time to demand a return to the principles that make our nation strong. Roads should be a path to opportunity and connection, not barriers to mobility and economic freedom.

As citizens, we have the right—and responsibility—to ensure that our infrastructure serves us all, not just the privileged few. Let’s reclaim our roads and bridges for the people, ensuring fairness, accountability, and access for generations to come.

Vincent Cordova