Who's being taken for a ride?

Everyone loves low, low prices, but as responsible citizens we should consider the cost of such a pricing policy. If you stretch affordability too thin, you'll run the hidden risk of hindering future investment or cannibalizing other social services.

There is subsidizing and there is excessive subsidizing. Once you are entrenched in the latter, you gain a sense of entitlement that will blind you to the big picture.

Beijing's metro system is considering raising its price from the current flat fee of 2 yuan ($0.33) a ride to a distance-based fare during the rush hours. This is certainly an unpopular move and I'm surprised only 60 percent of respondents to a survey voiced their objection. Theoretically, all Beijing subway riders would flash a "No" sign, but the remainder could well be non-subway users or people in other cities who are envious of Beijing's ultra-low fares.