There is a Canadian radio show called That is That that seems to be a kind of audio version of the Onion, specializing in parody. Peter Simek, who lives in Texas, says that in a recent episode the show pretty much nails the entitled attitude that rich Texans have.
The conceit of the joke: Texans love to drive and a lot of them are rich, and so a few would probably be willing shell out extra $65,000 to drive on a road from Dallas to Houston that is reserved for people who can buy their way into an elite motorist clique. “Just feels good to get out there and drive with like minded people, I guess,” one interviewed character says. And another: “I take great comfort that everyone on the road has insurance.”
Listen.
In Missouri, there is a highway between Columbia, the nice college town, and Jefferson City, the state capital. It has recently been reworked to reduce the number of exits and access points. The locals really hate it, but the state legislators have a better commute.
(My sister lives near it, and is in a situation to know that the politicians did indeed make it happen for their own privilege.)
I drove on the Natchez Trace Parkway once between Tennessee and Mississippi. It was a lovely experience. It is only a two lane road, it is not very wide, and the speed limit was usually 45 -- 50. But access is limited and there was almost no traffic, so it was a refreshing drive through some nice scenery.
Florida has the Florida State Turnpike. Presently the tolls are a bit less than seven cents per mile. The turnpike was renamed for Ronald Reagan so it wouldn’t surprise me to find out he tolls will be going up from a little less then seven cents a mile to … whatever the market will bear … to mesh with the Ronald Reagan/ Rick Scott/ Randian motif.