Obama pork bypasses dangerous Interstate exit ramps in Charlotte
[Originally published by TMR Legal Editor, Mike "gamecock" DeVine as Charlotte Law and Civil Rights Examiner @ Examiner.com where all for verification links may be accessed.]
The non-stimulating $1.2 trillion GovernmentGrowthulus/porkulus Obama-Pelosi-Reid bill will soon become law thanks to 327 Democrat and 3 Republican votes in the House and Senate. Barring a miracle, it is a fait accompli.
What is so sad is that Charlotte can’t even find a silver-lining in this dark cloud of a monstronsity of debt in any of the pork.
[At least FDR's New Deal left us with improved infrastructure if not an end to the Great Depression and thank God we are blessed with the best BBQ in the Carolinas during the Obama depression, if we can afford it, but I digress...]
Regularly deprived of needed state road funds by the rural-Democratic Party dominated State legislature that has left our Interstate highway exchanges in 1960-70s antiquated-style conditions, we now get stiffed by the most generous helping of pork ever passed at any BBQ or by any government in world history.
One of the most striking things I have noticed since I moved to the Queen City two years ago, is how old and dangerous are Interstate highway ramps whose circle circumferences are too tight and so regularly result in tipped over tractor-trailer rigs (pictured on I-85 ramp in Mecklenburg County) that cause death, destruction and traffic delays.
More modern interstate highway exchanges have much wider and safer ramps.
We were told that this so-called stimulus bill would target “shovel-ready” projects that could put people to work immediately.
We were lied to.
Instead, we get funds allocated for more light rail in Charlotte. Nothing is more non-shovel ready than light rail. Nothing is more shovel-ready than interstate highway ramps, as they already have huge right-of-ways surrounding the existing interchanges.
Oh, but the residence hall at Davidson gets money for renovations. Davidson is a private college for the wealthy. It gets public funds while semi’s continue to tip over and kill people on public roads.
Very stimulating President Obama.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer, Examiner.com and Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Moe Lane
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I wonder how many
izoneguy (Diary) Wednesday, February 11th at 1:11PM EST (link)democratic bosses will get nice houses built in Charlotte from all that Federal “stimulus”? I can’t wait to work on the documentary “Where have all the Federal “stimulus” dollars gone”. No doubt they are setting up the off-shore bank accounts now.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
Charlotte is a nightmare
George Neitz (Diary) Wednesday, February 11th at 1:27PM EST (link)I have been driveing through Charlotte for the past twenty plus years and it has gotten progressivley worse due to the huge increase in traffic, the highway system in the city is meant for the population of the mid sixties and is now trying to handle a population nearly triple. The highways need a dramatic rebuild and expansion.
“Socialism only works
in two places:
Heaven where they don’t
need it and hell where they already have it.”
-Ronald Reagan
Recommended. Charlette isn't the only place
Flagstaff (Diary) Wednesday, February 11th at 5:06PM EST (link)where the Interstate system needs to have off and on ramps upgraded.
There is a ramp of I-94 just west of Ann Arbor, Michigan, that has regular tractor-trailer tipovers.
You are absolutely right about the relative “shovel-readiness” of these projects. The most shovel-ready thing here is the bill itself. It should be buried immediately, but I expect it’ll be left above ground to stink things up for years.
“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964
thanks Flag' and amen - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Wednesday, February 11th at 8:31PM EST (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Wouldn't it be nice
Flagstaff (Diary) Monday, February 16th at 5:55PM EST (link)if the money were spent to finish the border fence and reinforce it with agents?
“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964
I guess I already wrote that.
Flagstaff (Diary) Monday, February 16th at 6:00PM EST (link)Sorry ’bout that, chief.
“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964
your state DOT
haydus Wednesday, February 11th at 10:47PM EST (link)and your local MPO makes the decision how the transportation funds are spent, that’s not a flaw in the bill. The House version had New Starts money, which would pay for building a new system or expanding an existing system. It is possible that there was a second phase to the Charlotte light rail system engineered back when the existing rail was engineered. If it was then there is a chance that it is “shovel-ready” and unfunded, which would qualify the project for funds under the stimulus. I heard the Senate bill cut out the New Starts money, and I don’t think the details of the final bill have been released yet so we’ll see. I’ve heard that the new Charlotte commuter rail system has been pretty popular.
Youv'e heard wrong about the light rail popularity and McCrory's loss for governor is exhibit a
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Thursday, February 12th at 10:19AM EST (link)Yes, the local govt and the state DOT are partially responsible for what projects they request funds for, but Obama is president of a federal govt that is responsible for the interstate highway system and who has promised to take care of us. Just like there are strings when states and banks take money, so are there strings when the feds take responsibility.
Hence, this column.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Youv'e heard wrong about the light rail popularity and McCrory's loss for governor is exhibit a
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Thursday, February 12th at 10:19AM EST (link)Yes, the local govt and the state DOT are partially responsible for what projects they request funds for, but Obama is president of a federal govt that is responsible for the interstate highway system and who has promised to take care of us. Just like there are strings when states and banks take money, so are there strings when the feds take responsibility.
Hence, this column.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Interesting take...
haydus Thursday, February 12th at 6:37PM EST (link)So you think the President should dictate to states how they spend their transportation allotment, that he should come “take care of you”. Well, everyone’s opinion is their own…
Congress and the President have decided they will take care of us. I am suggesting
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Friday, February 13th at 8:39AM EST (link)they are doing a poor job!
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson