Stuck in Traffic? Your Federal Highway Dollars at work

[dmcowen674]

4-2-2004 House to Vote on $275B Highway Bill

"Failure to address our transportation needs will leave our country behind," said Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska, who has confronted the administration veto threat by saying the House bill, rather than being too costly, doesn't go far enough in meeting the nation's infrastructure needs.

"These unnecessary delays have cost our nation roughly 100,000 jobs," he said.

$4 million for graffiti elimination in New York

$2 million for a high-speed catamaran ferry in Massachusetts

$1.5 million for the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.

$590,000 for sidewalk revitalization in Eastman, Ga.

 

[Michael]

It's about time Bush got tough on the pork filled bills that are being pushed.

Spending on roads and transportation is good.

Spending on all the special projects the current bill is loaded with would be a farce.

Michael

 

[conjur]

I'm sure that bill includes funding to help build the bridge(s) over the Ohio we so desperately need here.

 

[PingSpike]

Why would we want to spend the transportation budget on a Henry Ford museum? Couldn't Ford do that...or better yet, no one. Will they include the parts about how Ford thought Jews were trying to undermine the United States?

 

[ElFenix]

we're going to need some serious $$$ spend on this country's infrastructure in the next 50 years

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
we're going to need some serious $$$ spend on this country's infrastructure in the next 50 years

Yeah, but not on a frickin' Henry Ford museum. I can't drive on that. 🙂

The roads do need work though. Up here they aren't in that great of shape in some places.

 

[Michael]

I agree 100% that we're going have to spend money on our infrastructure. All the more reason to veto this wasteful bill so that the money will be available and spent on real projects, not pork to get Congressmen reelected.

Michael

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Why would we want to spend the transportation budget on a Henry Ford museum? Couldn't Ford do that...or better yet, no one. Will they include the parts about how Ford thought Jews were trying to undermine the United States?

Exactly. Here is another one:

"Coca Cola Museum (World of Coke) gets 4 million Government dollars to move it's current museum at Underground Atlanta in downtown to new Midtown Location at new Atlantic Station project which is also a project getting millions in Government dollars to be built."

Why are the Taxpayers paying for Corporations Tourist attractions that make a ton of money themselves??? 😕
:|

Admission to these things is NOT FREE.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Michael
I agree 100% that we're going have to spend money on our infrastructure. All the more reason to veto this wasteful bill so that the money will be available and spent on real projects, not pork to get Congressmen reelected.

Michael

Of the 4 items listed at the start of this thread only the ford museum I would consider pork. The transportation bill is often layered with special projects but those projects are often very important. For example the $600,000 appropriated for sidewalks is likely to replace aging sidewalk that is not ADA compliant and I wouldn't be supprised if there is a court order (from a lawsuit) ordering the state of Georgia to fix it (not to mention that $600,000 isn't going to fix very much).

The reality of this bill is that the 275B (over 10 years) bill is barely going to sustain funding levels we have had through the 90's (and in fact is likely a reduction after you factor in the increased costs of steel and oil). The house bill that was 325B (over 10 years) was a much better solution. In fact just yesterday Texas and California came out and said that the currently proposed 275B is not enough to meet funding needs. Something else to consider is that the highway trust fund (funded entirely by gas taxes) has yet to have it's revenues fully commited to transportation.

 

[Michael]

I'll have to dig up a link, but I read through much of the bill and the list of projects. I also read a couple of articles/opinions that compated this bill to others like it.

The current House bill has way too much pork in it and is more of a typical "election year" pork fest.

I'm with you on directing the highway money to where it is supposed to go.

I expect a Republican Congress to be better about spending. I don't think that either them or Bush have been living up to that part of their platform. I'm cynical enough to think that Bush is just reacting to erosion of support for him from that part of the Republican Party, but at least it is sending a message to the Congress that they have to be much better about their spending.

I want more spending cuts followed by more tax cuts. That will not happen with the waste going on.

Michael

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Michael
I'll have to dig up a link, but I read through much of the bill and the list of projects. I also read a couple of articles/opinions that compated this bill to others like it.

The current House bill has way too much pork in it and is more of a typical "election year" pork fest.

I'm with you on directing the highway money to where it is supposed to go.

I expect a Republican Congress to be better about spending. I don't think that either them or Bush have been living up to that part of their platform. I'm cynical enough to think that Bush is just reacting to erosion of support for him from that part of the Republican Party, but at least it is sending a message to the Congress that they have to be much better about their spending.

I want more spending cuts followed by more tax cuts. That will not happen with the waste going on.

Michael

I love it, where have you been? No rhetorical numbers or spin, just the facts, I've been getting creamed in here being labeled all sorts of things. What will they label you I wonder?

 

[djNickb]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: ElFenix
we're going to need some serious $$$ spend on this country's infrastructure in the next 50 years

Yeah, but not on a frickin' Henry Ford museum. I can't drive on that. 🙂

The roads do need work though. Up here they aren't in that great of shape in some places.

Yup fix the museum but not the pot hole laden roads that lead to it. You can go to a nice museum but unfortunately the potholes may claim your car before you actually arrive there. I swear the roads in Detroit are worse than Beiruit.

 

[Michael]

Dave - My last post answering Rahvin was just about 100% pure opinion. With my "spin" on what I think is going on. I have no idea how you can read it otherwise, but I haven't seen that reading comprehension is one of your stongest skills.

Since I've thought that the people "labeling" you here were being overly kind to you, I doubt that they'll jump on me. In my opinion, most of them have said very similar things. None of them love everything that Bush or the Republicans do and I bet that they don't like alot of the spending as well.

I bet if you spent 1/2 the effort you do posting here on getting a good paying job, you and your family would be much better off. You know I cared enough to step in and help when you really needed it, so I would be very, very happy for you if you did get a good job.

Michael

 

[Crimson]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Why would we want to spend the transportation budget on a Henry Ford museum? Couldn't Ford do that...or better yet, no one. Will they include the parts about how Ford thought Jews were trying to undermine the United States?

Probably 50% of this forum still thinks that the Jews are trying to take over the world.

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Why would we want to spend the transportation budget on a Henry Ford museum? Couldn't Ford do that...or better yet, no one. Will they include the parts about how Ford thought Jews were trying to undermine the United States?

Probably 50% of this forum still thinks that the Jews are trying to take over the world.

About 99% of this forum believes in global conspiracies. I happen to be researching the Global Liberal Atheist Homosexual Heathen Conspiracy.

Zephyr

 

[dmcowen674]

"I would be very, very happy for you if you did get a good job."

The "good job" is what is in question here and for the Country.

No one has been able to define what a "good job" is anymore for the U.S. other than Mickey D's and Home Depot for $6 hr, unless that is "Your" definition of a "good job".

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
"I would be very, very happy for you if you did get a good job."

The "good job" is what is in question here and for the Country.

No one has been able to define what a "good job" is anymore for the U.S. other than Mickey D's and Home Depot for $6 hr, unless that is "Your" definition of a "good job".

Be thankful for what you can get. You'd better take that Home Depot job before it's outsourced. I'm sure some Indian would be happy to sell lumber via videophone.

Zephyr

 

[Michael]

Dave - I'm not as up on the benefits that Home Depot offers, but a $6 / hour entry level job is better than no job. Home Deport is big and I'm sure there is ample room to move up the ladder to better and better jobs. You just have to start.

I've moved all over the place to follow where my career has taken me and worked at 100% travel jobs. When I was in school, I worked retail.

Good jobs are often what you make of them. It doesn't sound like you're even willing to try.

Michael

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Michael
Dave - I'm not as up on the benefits that Home Depot offers, but a $6 / hour entry level job is better than no job. Home Deport is big and I'm sure there is ample room to move up the ladder to better and better jobs. You just have to start.

I've moved all over the place to follow where my career has taken me and worked at 100% travel jobs. When I was in school, I worked retail.

Good jobs are often what you make of them. It doesn't sound like you're even willing to try.

Michael

Ah I see. Everyone in the U.S. must go back to entry level.

Good one, U.S. The Entry Level Country

 

[Michael]

Or move to where the non entry level job is? Are you a spoiled, lazy brat that wants everything handed to them?

You're unemployed and have been for a while. At this point, starting over would be making sense to me.

Michael

added - I should make it clear that I'm talking about you. Not America. You.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Michael
Or move to where the non entry level job is? Are you a spoiled, lazy brat that wants everything handed to them?

You're unemployed and have been for a while. At this point, starting over would be making sense to me.

Michael

I agree, where are these non-entry level jobs now you speak of?

 

[Michael]

I've received over 10 calls for CFO or Controller level jobs in the last month.

Most would require a move from the SF Bay Area, but they all were good jobs.

I lost a staff member last month to another company. That wasn't entry level.

The main professional recruiting companies I have relationships with are all emailing and calling me to see if I know of any professional staff that could fill the openings they have.

Seems like tons of opportunity out here, and the Silicon Valley area still is not doing as well as it could be.

The real question is what is wrong with you? At this point you should be admitting that you're the one with the problem. Then you should do something about it.

Michael

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Michael
I've received over 10 calls for CFO or Controller level jobs in the last month.

Most would require a move from the SF Bay Area, but they all were good jobs.

I lost a staff member last month to another company. That wasn't entry level.

The main professional recruiting companies I have relationships with are all emailing and calling me to see if I know of any professional staff that could fill the openings they have.

Seems like tons of opportunity out here, and the Silicon Valley area still is not doing as well as it could be.

The real question is what is wrong with you? At this point you should be admitting that you're the one with the problem. Then you should do something about it.

Michael

I wouldn't call it lazy. I would say I have a problem with it. I'd say not thrilled with having America being comfortable as North American Nomads.

Why bother calling a home home? It's just a temporary box now. Why bother having Mortgages, should just be a rental rate then.

Is being a North American Nomad just to make ends meet the new definition of the American Dream?

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Michael
I've received over 10 calls for CFO or Controller level jobs in the last month.

Most would require a move from the SF Bay Area, but they all were good jobs.

I lost a staff member last month to another company. That wasn't entry level.

The main professional recruiting companies I have relationships with are all emailing and calling me to see if I know of any professional staff that could fill the openings they have.

Seems like tons of opportunity out here, and the Silicon Valley area still is not doing as well as it could be.

The real question is what is wrong with you? At this point you should be admitting that you're the one with the problem. Then you should do something about it.

Michael

I wouldn't call it lazy. I would say I have a problem with it. I'd say not thrilled with having America being comfortable as North American Nomads.

Why bother calling a home home? It's just a temporary box now. Why bother having Mortgages, should just be a rental rate then.

Is being a North American Nomad just to make ends meet the new definition of the American Dream?

And so you think the jobs should just "come to you"?
Still sitting by the phone after you read the paper I see.

Yes- if you don't like the jobs available in your area - then you move to an area where there are jobs you "like" and can get hired doing. You aren't entitled to things just because you bought a house.

CkG

 

[Michael]

Dave - I moved to the USA to live the dream. I've moved all over the place since I've been here. I have an even bigger move coming up.

I also have friends who have stayed in one place. Sometimes they had to change careers and start over again. For them, the benefit of not moving was worth the career changes.

It sounds like you want both. And you say corporations are greedy - I suggest looking in the mirror.

Michael