Like drilling through your brain with a jagged ruler

Hey Chris.

Yah?

What's the laziest post you can think of?

How about a rough draft outline of a speech I did for class. Perhaps the dullest thing you'll ever read. I'm thinking of marketing it for insomniacs.

That'll do pig.


Topic: To advocate for the construction of a new downtown highway in the city of Toronto

Central idea: A new downtown highway will greatly improve the city’s economic backbone and allow Toronto to meet the needs of the local population.

I. The creation of a highway that connects to downtown Toronto will relieve traffic congestion and result in shortened commuting times. These faster commutes will have a positive environmental impact and help to increase the quality of life for many people living in the Greater Toronto Area.

a. By reducing the number of cars idling in Toronto’s stop and go traffic we will decrease the number of smog days in the city and see tangible economic and health related benefits.

i. Toronto Public Health (TPH) estimates that over 1,700 people die each year as a result of air pollution. Another 6,000 people are admitted to hospitals for the same reason.

ii. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) estimates that it costs the province 150 million dollars in health care costs and 128 million dollars in lost productivity each year due to air pollution.

b. There will also be significant improvements to commuter quality of life. A downtown highway will allow commuters to spend more time at home with their families and less time traveling.

i. A recent report by the Toronto Star outlined a number of health risks associated with lengthy commutes, including sleep deprivation and compromised judgment under high level of stress.

ii. This same Toronto Star report highlighted the significant loss of time commuters were able to spend with their families due to their excessively long commute times. A downtown highway will help to return some of the necessary time families spend together.

II. There are also significant advantages to having a downtown highway for local businesses, commercial carriers and downtown residents.

a. A downtown Toronto highway will give better access to the city for local businesses and farmers, giving area residents increased access to high quality goods at lower prices.

i. Increased transportation infrastructure will allow local area farmers to get their product to Toronto’s markets more quickly, ensuring less spoilage.

ii. Better access to Toronto markets will result in lower transportation costs for producers (refrigeration, etc). These savings will be subsequently reflected in the price.

b. Increased Toronto transportation infrastructure will give consumers greater access to goods in a timely and reliable fashion, without unnecessary delays and additional costs.

i. In 2006 Transport Canada estimated that congestion costs the country between 2.3 billion dollars to 3.7 billion dollars annually. These costs are initially absorbed by the freight transportation industry before being passed on to consumers. A downtown highway will help to relieve local area congestion and ensure consumer costs are kept low.

ii. Increased transportation infrastructure will help to keep consumer prices low because of less fuel consumption by commercial carriers.

III. A downtown Toronto highway will have a considerable economic impact on the region by creating jobs and supporting improved access to variety of local industries.

a. A highway will help boost the economy by creating new employment opportunities.

i. Initially there will be an influx of temporary jobs, first through environmental assessments and planning and then, more significantly, in the construction phase.

ii. Over the long term a new highway will create job opportunities in highway maintenance and repair, law enforcement and snow removal.

b. Improved transportation access will also benefit Toronto and regional industries.

i. Toronto’s tourist, entertainment and sporting industries will have more reliable access to local populations.

ii. Toronto residents will have better access to cottage country and other nearby out of town destinations.