Since the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis many politicians, mostly Democrats, have used the tragedy to score political points. The silly arguments, like the Iraq War is responsible for the collapse, do nothing to find solutions to repair our neglected infrastructure. In Human Events Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) takes the entire political system to task:
It is undeniable that official Washington has “taken its eye off the ball” with respect to bridge safety, and a host of other issues. Yet, the true structural flaw in our political system is not insufficient spending, but misplaced priorities.
No area better illustrates Congress’ misplaced priorities than pork-barrel spending. The Federal Highway Administration declared the bridge “structurally deficient” in 1990 and directly warned Minnesota officials. Yet, since 1990, Congress has show more devotion to pork-barrel spending than repair work.
The 1981 transportation contained only 10 earmarks. President Reagan vetoed a transportation bill in 1987 that contained 121 earmarks, saying, “I haven’t seen this much lard since I handed out blue ribbons at the Iowa State Fair.” Moving ahead to 2005, Congress passed a transportation bill that included an astonishing 6,371 earmarks, or ten percent of the bill’s total $286 billion cost. Unfortunately, President Bush refused to veto this bill, giving his tacit approval to Congress’ earmark spending binge.
It has been argued here recently that earmarks don’t increase federal spending because the money will be spent anyway. I say that is a dishonest explanation of the federal earmark system. When we’ve gone from 121 earmarks to 6371 in 20 years there is something wrong with the system. A glaring example of our misplaced priorities is the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere”:
Yet, no other episode demonstrated the structural flaws in our political process more than the Senate’s lopsided 82-15 vote in defense of the “Bridge to Nowhere” in 2005. The actual amendment I offered went beyond striking the bridge and challenged Congress’ approach to spending priorities. The amendment would have redirected funding from two dubious Alaska bridge projects — the Gravina “Bridge to Nowhere” and the Knik Arm Bridge — costing a combined $452 million to reconstruction of the Twin Spans Bridge in Louisiana that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
This vote is instructive because it was about much more than the bridges. Eighty-two Senators were not as interested in defending the bridges as much as their perceived right to pork. Congress’ refusal to make rationale decisions about competing priorities continues to be at the heart of the ongoing culture of corruption in Washington. What is disturbing in Congress today are not debates about competing priorities, but Congress’ refusal to acknowledge its own responsibility to set priorities.
Senator Coburn wrote in his memoirs (before the bridge collapse) about this problem of pork barrel spending:
Another objection I had to pork politics was that it jeopardized public safety … For instance, allocating $7 million to a transportation museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania, means $7 million will not be spent improving dangerous two-lane highways and crumbling bridges … Failing to allocate money to repair roads and bridges can and does endanger lives.
Let’s hope that Senator Coburn will continue his fight against this narcissistic perversion of our political system.
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But what about the shrimp?
From the article I linked to on the other thread, look at the increase in earmarks:
In fact, the Republican Party in Congress is just as responsible as Mr Bush for most of the recent troubles. The Republican majority routinely appropriated more spending than the president asked for. It also larded spending bills with as much extra pork as possible. The number of congressional “earmarks” for projects in members’ districts increased from 1,300 in 1994, when the Republicans took over Congress, to 14,000 in 2005.
I believe this was posted pre 2002:
http://www.asce.org/reportcard/index.cfm?reaction=factsheet&page=1
We have known for years our highways and bridges are falling apart. AND do not forget they were supposed to break ground on a new multi billion dollar baseball field the same day the bridge went down. Billions for a sports team, zero for new roads, whose fault? The people.
Senator Coburn is great on this issue, Rep. John Campbell and a few others are good on the House side. We will see, Republicans have been great back-benchers before and then…..
AZ makes a good point. WE need to raise hell like was done on the amnesty bill, regardless of who the pork producer is. There are several congressmen trying to raise the gas tax to cover bridge repairs that should have been taken care of with the existing gas tax instead of building museums:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/09/ap4005074.html
The headline is very misleading
Structural flaws in our political system ? Structural ? ROFLMAO. Our political system is a disaster.
I KEEP TELLING YOU GUYS ABOUT MY LINE ITEM VOTE ON EVERYTHING VOTE CONGRESS. IT WOULD BE LENTHY AND REQUIRE LARGER STAFFS FOR THE CONGRESS PERSONS. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AS A AMENDMENT. IT WOULD MAKE THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY PENNY THEY SPEND. THEN WE’D HAVE TO NAIL THEM WHEN THEY DID IT THE WRONG WAY.
Or how about this
Let Minnesota fix its own bridges?
With State’s rights comes state’s responsibilities
Fine with me. As long as it is preceded by a repeal of the 18.4 cent/gallon federal gasoline tax that is supposed to be used to repair roads and bridges.
It will be interesting to see how the good folks in Minnesota react to the news that highway moneys have been diverted by the politicos into unrelated pet projects. My high-school pal (who lives in Minneapolis) a year ago said folks were questioning if the proposed (now partly constructed) light rail system would actually fulfill the glowing promises those pushing it had made. Guess they’re finding out like we have here about grandiose promises (and diverted highway $$$), despite the good publicity it receives from the sponsors.
Oh, and the Twins are getting a new and very expensive stadium.
Hamous
Yep, repeal the tax it goes into the general fund anyway
#11 - It hasn’t gone into the general revenue since 1956. It goes into the Highway Trust Fund. The problem in recent history is that the fund is used to build bicycle paths, transportation museums, memorial bridges to living senators and mass transit boondoggles instead of repairing roads and bridges.
http://www.artba.org/economics_research/reports/gas_tax_history.htm
Like I said - its a general fund more or less,
Or are we going to fight over what funds can be mispent the fastest
enguard
But they have the cover of using it for “transportation” projects.
Hamous
I’m sure theres an entire degree program at Georgetown on labeling pork bills to avoid scrutiny - some wild things get stuck in the damdest places it seems half the irs code is in a coast guard appropriations bill
Don’t understand accounting too well so serious question, when you are operating in a deficit, how can there be a set aside fund for anything?
/I was a stock broker once but got tired of all the dough. Oh!
Gave up a long time ago on trusting anyone to do what’s logical and right - government or anyone else. People still try and they fight a good battle, but for the most part it’s each and every person for themselves. Taxes, transportation and bridges are not even on most folk’s radar screen. “Where is the nearest McDonald’s and can the pimply kid behind the counter speak English?” has priority.
#18 - That’s the most pessimistic thing I’ve ever heard you say, and that’s saying a lot
So we just give up?
No. We never give up. We take the road less travelled.
Liz
There are what 76,000 bridges 3 have had failures 2 with fatalities (I mean structural there have been accidents where nature or man have brought them down)
So, even though they do need maintenance 76,000 * 50 years / 3 is a pretty darn good track record
IMO
Hey, that sounds great in a poem but what does that mean in the real world?
I have to agree with EPJ. I’m pretty sure the state is charged with upkeep to highways and bridges. Fed. money is for new const.
We will not get control of pork untill we make each bill stay true to purpose . Education spending only in education bill - Defense spending only in definse bill etc. etc. at least we could tell what / where the money was going that way .
Whose real world, EPJ’s, HS/SM/CK’s, Smack’s or Gregg’s.
Sorry couldn’t help it.
No one cares until one of their own is dead or injured.
Is the border closed yet?
Our gov has been highjacked. The only structural flaw is the fool that buys into the facade of the two party system and the shell game.
I’m gonna go grill up some shrimp!
Go Ron Paul!
BTW
There are a few states that have told the fed to keep their highway money and do things on their own like they should.
It means we work smart. Sometimes it’s best not to follow the crowd of squeaky wheels by trying to be the loudest of squeaky wheels. Sometimes it’s best to make no noise at all, thoroughly examine and understand the situation, what your goals are and plan how best to achieve your desired results w/o saying a word or following the crowd. Then you set out on your own path to accomplish this. If it is right and true, people will follow YOU and assist YOU.
Or, nevermind.
28
I was chasing my African grey, and missed your post
Just for the record, I have several worlds…..
and a alternate universe or two
We get the government that we deserve. Weasels will eat your flesh.
#26 - Really? Which states are those?
#24 - Thursday
We need to congratulate Republicans Jeb Hensarling, of northeast Texas and Mac Thornberry, of the Panhandle, for scoring perfect 100% scores on the 2007 RePork Card report by the Club For Growth:
” The Club for Growth has compiled a RePORK Card of all members’ votes on all 50 anti-pork amendments (see below). ‘Taxpayers have a right to know which congressmen stand up for them and which stand up for the special interests,’ said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. ‘Unfortunately, the Club for Growth RePORK Card shows that most congressmen care more about lining their buddies’ pockets than they care about protecting American taxpayers.’ ”
The Club For Growth rated all US House members on how they voted on the 50 amendments offered to curtail or eliminate pork in the House spending. ONE, JUST ONE amendment passed. See how they voted here:
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2007/08/the_2007_club_for_growth_repor.php
Whaaaaa?
Paul (R-TX-14) 29% 12 / 41
’nuff said.
McCaul at 62% sure beat Culbertson at 10%! WTH?!!
I have always said the government would never have to raise taxes is they would quit spending on “pork projects”. The only reason we have pork projects is because the Congressmen can’t get reelected on their own records, they have to get spending into their states. Well, if this is true what happen to the Congressmen in Minnesota, how come they didn’t get any “pork” for fixing that bridge—-where did their “pork” money go??????
#16EPJ
Of course, no one pointed out how smoothly EPJ cleverly rationalized Hamous’s original point that almost $.20 on every gallon of gas bought by consumers in the last 50 years that was supposed to be set aside maintaining infastrructure for the public good had been squanedered by self-serving, meglamaniacal paid prevaricators in $1000 suits.
Just because that’s the way it is: what a load of hooev!!
The salient point that Hammy was making, and in fact just another example of how this government has been fraudulent and grossly derelict in the performance of it’s duties for the past 50 years.
I’m sick of smarmy bueracarts try to blow sunshine up our collective keishters………!!
Hooey, as it we’re, but there are other words that spring to mind,too, Eric………..
PB
I was wondering what hooev was!
Fred! weighs in:
http://www.imwithfred.com/NewsRoom/Commentary.aspx?ID=7addfd26-6a89-4a0c-9821-bc5cbaf2cce9
Neo, RBF
Read number 11, what does repeal the tax mean in this statement?
How can I be more clear?
Let Minnesota fic its own bridge
Repeal the gas tax
PBF
So again I think you missed my - reppeal the tax post in #11
So be careful writing three paragraphs about a 1 sentence answer to Hamous’ post
again for the record
Let Minnesota fix its own bridge
Repeal the Tax
What’d he say?
#43 Dunno. My super secret decoder ring isn’t working… Got dish soap on it…
Dat’s what I thought.
EPJ: Repealing the tax is not the point: the point is, where is the .20 pr/gallon that has been paid by consumers for the last 50 FREAKIN years, that was supposed to be spent on infrastucture, as was the reason given for the tax was being collected?
We’re talking about fraud on a massive scale: and I don’t give a damn about how they teach beauracrats to screw over people in Georgetown, doesn’t mitigate anything.
The US government has performed so shamefully for so long, I guess the sheeple have gotten used to it……..personally, it pi$$es me right off, and I don’t mind saying so, and demanding an answer from our excuse for leaders…..
Neo: Hooev is not the same thing as hooey: hence the correction! (;
Um, I believe PBFloyd has it over EricpJohnson. The money had to go somewhere, so where did it go? Obviously not toward infrastructure. Everyone will agree that the money sent to New Orleans for levy infrastructure was deverted to construction of gambling palaces to bring more money into New Orleans. Seems money given to MI was diverted to other things rather than bridge infrastructure, i.e., sports stadiums, light rail. This happens all throughout the United States. Until the Feds get tight with the states on what their money is spent for, there is no accountability. Yet, when a disaster occurs, the Feds get blamed.
diverted = deverted! Can’t seem to spell tonight!
Neo: Typo’s aside, I concur!
Of course, the question is strictly rhetorical, however valid: the money went to the same place as all the money that has been extorted out of everyone’s wages all these years, for SSI.
Not a cent left; IOU’s signed ny Congress, and thrown into a box to be paid later, by someone else after they are gone.
These misappropriated funds have funded all these socialistic redistibution of the wealth programs, beginning with Lyndon Johnson’s vision for a ‘Great Society’.
The problem with this well intentioned(or not!) socialist agenda, is that prosperity cannot be given away. Of course, I don’t believe for a minute they really do give a damn anyway.
Bottom line, that is where the staggering amount of money has gone. But has anyone heard anyone ask about it? Either party? No, because they are both equally culpable.
Now, one can take the EPJ point of view, that you’re getting screwed and there is really nothing you can do about it, but I don’t buy it.
Personally, it really steams my zuchini!! So the question stands: where is the .20 cents on every gallon of gas purchased by American consumers for the last 55 years?
PBFLoyld
Ummm, okay
First, lets repeal the tax, okay and 2nd, let every state pay for its own roads, let states get together and decide if highways are a good thing and let them charge people to use the roads
3rd the Federal roads bills to pay for upkeep of infrastructure maybe not as efficiently as we want but thats what its for
I read that Minnesota DOT spent 25 million last year on bicycle paths.
Bet bicycles are used as much there October thru May as the City of Houston bicycle street boondoggles are used January thru December.
$25,000,000 would have repaired a bunch of rusted out gusset plates and rivets!
#50 With all due respect, EPJ, you’re suggestions are tantamount to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
What I’m still having a hard time getting used to is the scope and immensity of how much the American people have been sold out by their government.
The sorry thing is…….. they learn how to write pork so that no one understands where the earmark goes. It’s like a code. Murtha had the most earmarks in the house and I tried to decipher what he was asking for. All military wording and who knows for what!