Have you heard about the $24 Billion of pet projects included in the highway bill? Why can Bush not use the line item veto to get rid of some of the crap that is included in the bill?
My favorite is: Alaska, the third-least populated state, for instance, got the fourth-most money for special projects – $941 million – thanks largely to the work of its lone representative, House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young. That included $231 million for a bridge near Anchorage to be named “Don Young’s Way” in honor of the Republican.
It is sickening that crap like still exists. Take a look at what you do for a living, try adding a 5K bike fee to any one of your projects and see what happens. People who run companies have a fiduciary duty, why doesn’t the govt?
Obviously I am not up on the Supreme Court rulings. Does anyone know why it was rescinded?
Have you heard about the $24 Billion of pet projects included in the highway bill? Why can Bush not use the line item veto to get rid of some of the crap that is included in the bill?
My favorite is: Alaska, the third-least populated state, for instance, got the fourth-most money for special projects – $941 million – thanks largely to the work of its lone representative, House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young. That included $231 million for a bridge near Anchorage to be named “Don Young’s Way” in honor of the Republican.
Edit: And only from this Administration, whose own party controls both houses of Congress, would you hear that the bill which comes in $30 billion more than the Administration wanted, is a success because it was less than some $400 billion bill that “Congress wanted”.
The SF Chronicle reported that a new ferry terminal was to be built in Sonoma…Petaluma I think, only the local member of COngress had no idea how the thing got in there because she hadn’t asked for it. Turns out the developer had a member of Congress from Alaska add the item…why??? the Chronicle asked the developer…“they build ferry boats in Alaska” was his response.
Lake Tahoe also got an $8 million ferry from the north shore to south shore…that is needed though…making that drive in the summer is a bear.
Here is a link from the NYTIMES article that shows you what state got what. Furthermore, you can click on each state to see how the money will be spent.
Being from Texas, I feel the need to point out that there is quite a sum (10.630 Million) for bicycle trail funding: Regional bicycle routes on existing highways in Austin, TX. $800,000 Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Network in East Austin . $7,680,000 (must be a really nice bike trail) Construct bicycle and pedestrian trails in Houston’s historic Third Ward $600,000 Construct a pedestrian/bicycle trail in the Sunnyside area of Houston $750,000 Design and Construct the Cottonwood Trail pedestrian-bicycle connection $800,000
It is sickening that crap like still exists. Take a look at what you do for a living, try adding a 5K bike fee to any one of your projects and see what happens. People who run companies have a fiduciary duty, why doesn’t the govt?
Obviously I am not up on the Supreme Court rulings. Does anyone know why it was rescinded?
It was found to be an violation of separation of powers. It essentialy makes the President/Executive the drafter of legislation.
As a senator said pork spending, “It’s only pork when it goes to ANOTHER state”. Pork or ear-marking for pet projects is how these things get passed as in “I’ll support your bridge and you support my bike trail and we both get what we want.” If you read some legislation, you’ll see barely a bill goes by that doesn’t have some questionable stuff in it. they’re just looking out for their constituents. You can bet that the construction company that is going to build that bridge in Alaska made a donation or two.
It’s a passenger ferry (no cars)… you’re really gonna take a drag your bike/crap on a ferry rather than drive your car? before you answer… it will take the same amount of time as the drive…
http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20050804/Opinion/108040007"At this point, planners are eyeing a 100- to 200-passenger hydrofoil type vessel that would cut a gentle wake so shoreline erosion isn’t a problem. With such a boat, target travel times between north and south are hoped to be about what it takes to drive from Tahoe City to South Lake Tahoe via the east shore, Haven said. "
As a senator said pork spending, “It’s only pork when it goes to ANOTHER state”. Pork or ear-marking for pet projects is how these things get passed as in “I’ll support your bridge and you support my bike trail and we both get what we want.” If you read some legislation, you’ll see barely a bill goes by that doesn’t have some questionable stuff in it. they’re just looking out for their constituents. You can bet that the construction company that is going to build that bridge in Alaska made a donation or two.
I heard that the vote for the highway bill was postponed until after the CAFTA vote; subsequently, certain changes were made to the highway bill appropriations that increased funding to states whose Congressmen voted for CAFTA…
My town got several hundred thousand dollars to extend a bike/walking/running trail that I use regularly. Like they say, “One man’s pork is another man’s bacon.”
I would not say worst ever – I have studied American History – Taft tops my personal list – but George W. is right up there.
Thanks to George W. – I have left the republican party (or should I say they left me) – and I make sure to never call myself a conservative (Because thanks the George W. - the meaning has changed)
Whatever happened to States Rights? Personal responsability and accountability? Fiscal Responsability? Personal Freedoms??
I would not say worst ever – I have studied American History – Taft tops my personal list – but George W. is right up there.
Thanks to George W. – I have left the republican party (or should I say they left me) – and I make sure to never call myself a conservative (Because thanks the George W. - the meaning has changed)
Whatever happened to States Rights? Personal responsability and accountability? Fiscal Responsability? Personal Freedoms??