I’m going to start this article out by stating that I worked in the highway engineering and construction field at the county and state highway department levels for 22 years. So you could say I have more than a passing familiarity with the subject.
The catastrophe in Minneapolis saddens me and my prayers and condolences go out to the people of that fine city. What angers me, are those who represent the forces that are responsible for the criminal neglect of our nations highway infrastructure. As a former insider, I know very well the angst and frustration of the dedicated men and women who are charged with building and maintaining that infrastructure. And it is a fatally serious business, as we unfortunately learned on Wednesday. But not only do these silent, unseen civil servants have to deal with this task of galactic proportions, they also have to deal with political forces hell bent on keeping the effort under funded. And when I say under funded, I’m talking a level that I consider shameful.
And who are these politicians who are responsible for this neglect of one of the most important elements of our nation’s economy, our highway infrastructure? It’s the Republican’s and their all-important tax cuts. I just don’t understand how they can be so short sighted. They claim to be the champions of capitalism. Yet they are guilty of criminal neglect of our economy’s single most important element, our nation’s transportation infrastructure. It’s an attitude that seems self defeating to me.
There is nothing new to transportation professionals about Wednesday’s news. They’ve been sounding the alarm for decades. But that alarm has remained unheeded to this day. Predictions of incidents like the one Wednesday go back to the 1950’s from highway officials, but they were dismissed as being worst scenario and the issue was just as quickly forgotten by the politicians.
I’ll admit that to conservatives, Republican tax cut rhetoric can seem very sound. But they ignore some extremely vital elements of civilizations requirements. In this day and age we simply can no longer afford to neglect things like our highway infrastructure. Our countries system of roads is like its cardio circulatory system. Our countries economic health depends on it. It’s one of the reasons I don’t have any faith in Republican politicians. They are always touting how tax cuts will encourage new investment in our economy. Yeah, what about investing in the thing that economy’s life depends on, our highway system? The Republican’s attitude on this is hypocritical, irresponsible, and short sighted.
If the neglect of our nation’s highway infrastructure continues at today’s level, I predict we will see disastrous effects on our economy in the not too distant future. It’s time for the incompetence of the Republicans who have enjoyed power over the last 40 years to end, and the work of making the United States as great as it once was to begin.
***********************
Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published twice weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news. Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class. You can find all of Devin’s columns at http://gather.com/leftoftheright You can keep up with Devin’s postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here:http://kiwina58.gather.com and then select the orange “Connect” button on the left-hand side of the page. You can find Devin and other Political Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other politics experts at Politics.gather.com.
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Comments: 304
I do love you guys so. You never let me down. Never.
However, it does also continue to be so b-o-r-i-n-g.
I don't think I've seen the two of you before. Welcome to the "I Hate Devin" club.
So talking about neglecting the nation's highway infrastructure is b-o-r-i-n-g huh? Well, all I can say is; God forbid you might find yourself on one of these collapsing bridges one day. I wonder if your precious tax cuts will seem so great then.
What, Devin? Like nothing, no tragedies ever happened during Clinton and the Democrat's watch?
Very childish, but that's what I've come to expect from the Right wing-nuts.
Very good, you are well trained in Republican debating procedure. Go back and actually READ the article. I'm blaming the morons who think current funding levels for our highways is just fine, and in fact want to cut that funding. That way they can give them selves more tax cuts. And if the fact that it's Republicans who make up the vast majority of these people bothers you, tough.
Stop being an opportunist and using this to blame the current administration for EVERYTHING under the freaking sun!!
I didn't rate your article, but if you want to call Republicans wing "nuts", I will not let you down. Just like the moonbat Bush haters never let me down.
You've struck close to the objection I have to Ron Paul and the small government concept.
First off; The head that should roll over this bridge episode would be that of the person who had the responsibility to close the bridge once it was discovered to be deficient. Then there should be a royal butt reaming of the entire department from top to bottom. The first priority of their job is to keep the public safe. Keeping roads and bridges open is secondary. Don't they have mission statements plastered on the office and shop walls anymore?
Second, about small government; none of the efforts that have been tried over the past forty years have yet amounted to one whit of cheaper taxes. The disappearance of our military bases, the arrays of standing forces and the civilian corps that supported them never brought one single tax cut to the average taxpayer.
As the population grows the government must grow. The idea of keeping government small is by reality a relational thing. There is no workable vision for any small form of government to effectively and fairly look after the needs of 300 million people; especially amid economies that flow in the trillions of dollars.
I'm an adamant, believing voter that government should be actively involved in as many things as necessary to protect the people, keep them safe and help them in their pursuits of happiness.
I have no problems with government getting big as long as it is positively effective in the lives of the populace.
Small governments lead to higher concentrations of power and they too often act like George O's 'Big Brother'.
Big Government is less prone to this because of the numbers. With vast numbers involved, differing opinions are more readily available, power is spread further about, levels of oversight exist and money is more often funneled to public works versus economic special interests.
Our American past is filled with examples of public works doing grand things for the country.
I guess I'll never understand why Republicans don't support public works.
YES!!!!
"I'm an adamant, believing voter that government should be actively involved in as many things as necessary to protect the people, keep them safe and help them in their pursuits of happiness."
YES!!!!
I was beginning to think i was alone!!! Oh my god! Of course, I don't know near as much about politics and construction as the two of you obviously do... but i agree with both of you!
Devin: Republican's are all about tax cuts. The American people think: "Oh my god, yes, i don't want to pay anything, TAX CUTS!" Very few people actually think about what that means. If they're being cut, what's paying for our public school systems and roadways that are already getting terrible funding? I'm so glad to see someone that looks beyond their own wallet!!!
Bill: I so agree with you. I never thought of it before, but you're totally right. Nevermind the fact that minorities and women are underrepresented (which I don't think should be as big an issue as it is), but the whole american population isn't counted for. That leads to a bunch of old white men who all agree. More politicians brings more ideas and arguments. It won't get rid of corruption, but it will make it harder for any politician to get a monopoly in anything.
Don't be so hard on the Highway Dept. folks in Minnisota. They often have their hands tied by the politicians. I've seen more than one incident where proposals by dept, proffesionals were ignored or over ruled by elected officials. And most states have rules of employment for these folks that strictly control what they are allowed to say to the media. I worked for the government for 22 years and I know. When you accept employment with the government, you give up a lot of your rights as a citizen.
Repeal the tax cuts , stop all foreign aid ,get out of Iraq , and get to work on OUR infrastructure.
America FIRST all the time!
First, there are hundreds of bridges all across the country that have graded as "deficient". I would like to know a little more about the structural integrity of bridges and their repair before I assign blame to anyone.
Second, it never helps a situation when less than 24 hours after a horrible tragedy with no explanation people start pointing fingers. Again, let's allow the evidence to come forward.
Could this have been prevented?
Did tax cuts DIRECTLY affect this particular construction repair?
Were there any other factors?
Your article is too accusatory, too slanted, and too early.
Sorry.
I was almost on that bridge yesterday - I've lived in Minneapolis my whole life, and I am heartbroken by this tragedy.
I find it insulting and reprehensible that Lera, Moggy, and their ilk decide to use this thread as a way to insult you, when the years of tax cuts and utter neglect by our government has, in effect, killed innocent people.
"My hands are tied so I must lie even if people die."
This slogan needs to be ripped from the minds of Americans. It is barely acceptable mong the military and intelligence agencies and has no place in the ranks of public service employees; especially SAFETY departments. How many of them changed their driving routes because they knew the bridge was unsafe?
The only proper contrition will be for each employee to make sure this doesn't happen again. Unsafe bridges should be closed until repaired. Period!
Peoples lives were lost !!
Airplanes?
Buildings?
Living near volcanos?
Building houses near alligatoor lakes?
Trains?
Let's be realistic. I want to hear more information before I go screaming at Republican tax cuts.
Just sad for MN as a whole today...
G'nite.
Peace.
I am utterly disgusted at your continual barrage of hate and bigotry, but mostly I am disgusted at your ignorance. Federal and state highway projects are funded through dedicated fuel excise taxes.
Devin's state of Idaho taxes fuel at a rate of 25 cents a gallon. Here is a link to Idaho State Tax Commission
Just an added note, I have also worked in government for over two decades. I was also a Democrat for an equal number of years, however the irrational hate and paranoia of people like Devin drove me out of the party, and are a constant source of irratation in civil service.
Devin is shamelessly exploiting this tragedy to spread his hate. I think we all need to condemn that kind of behavior.
There is no hate in this article. The fact is that much of the country goes neglected since the tax cuts. That's not hatred - it's reality.
Yawn, so a bridge collapsed. As long as they've got their phony tax cuts and they think they're getting richer, that's all that counts.
What a ignorant and selfish attitude. It's shocking.
This bridge had been declared unfit years ago, but there was no money to pay for it's upkeep. No money because of phony repub "tax cuts" that have left us with an overwhelming budget deficit in less than 7 years after Clinton left office with a budget surplus.
Name me just one repub who left office with a budget surplus in the last 50 years. Just one.
We must change this failure of a repub plan to dismiss the importance of taxes - it is INSANSE thinking! Taxes pay for the things we need and use every day. How have so many people in the US been hoodwinked into believing that taxes are bad? Why do they buy the lies of the rich repubs who only are moneytheists at heart and only have their own personal financial success at the core of everything they do.
Taxes pay for our infrastructure, bridges, tunnels, roads, our police, firemen, the vehicles they use to fight fires and rescue people, medicare, medicaid, our military and all their equipment and vehicles, homeland defense, social security, our government operations, our foreign missions and embassies, must I go on? Why is everyone so against taxes when it is taxes that pay for everything we all need?
But all the repub apologists can say is "oooh Clinton got a BJ" Yeah, that's so awful. It's much better to sell arms to the enemies we're fighting on the battlefield (Bush Plans To Sell Arms to Saudi's). And it's much better to have an Attny Gen who lies under oath. And goes to hard-sell a sick man in the hospital (Ashcroft) and then lie about it. And much better to not give our men and women fighting in Iraq the best possible equipment. And it's much better to have some fake religous law school grad decide the fates of Attny's - repub appointees themsleves - and then lie about it under oath. And much better to sell our ports and their ops to our enemies. And much better to waste money on building a brdige to nowhere in Alaska. Forget blaming, this country needs an infusion of money to support our infrastructure.
This bridge was an older span, forty years, that had been inspected less then two years ago, and was slated to be inspected again in September. To attempt to twist and obscure this meaning to score some innane political point, is well beyond the bounds of decency.
I have often been disgusted by Devin, but today, with people who I have worked with risking their lives to swim among the debris to retrieve the bodies of the loved ones of others, I have no patience for this.
We just went through an illuminating experience here in Virginia regarding our state highway budget. The General Assembly, controlled by no-new-taxes Republicans, refused to raise any tax monies to deal with highway needs. So we borrowed some money, and passed a ridiculous bill that charges reckless drivers up to $3000 for several driving offenses. Yeah, get somebody else to pay for the roads that I want to drive on! When the public became aware of that provision in the law, we entered a period of violent recriminations- but they blame the Governor more than they blame the people who actually wrote the law.
I have a suggestion for George W. Bush- one that I bet he will actually follow. I suggest that he stand up at a press conference and announce that he is asking Congress to devote another TEN MILLION DOLLARS to the task to replacing worn out bridges. Never mind the fact that there are hundreds of these bridges and every one of them will cost millions to replace. He will posture with some ridiculously inadequate amount of money, and then when the Dems suggest an amount of $ that might actually address the problem, the Republicans will be able to say, that's ridiculous, way too much cash, we need that money to keep up our pointless stay in Iraq.
*sigh*
Remember how FEMA failed to respond after Katrina? Did you ever wonder why an organization that worked so brilliantly under Clinton suddenly was incapable of even gathering well-published facts, and moving towards rescue efforts? Once again, it was the DIRECT RESULT of the republican mantra of killing government.
The levy project in NOLA was almost completed, and needed a mere $26 additional million dollars to complete. Instead of allowing that funding to go where it was truly needed, Bush funneled it to Iraq, and we all saw the result.
Guess what? SOMETIMES, things are best left to the public sector, believe it or not. Our public infrastructure is best left to the public, and must be funded as the critical asset that it is.
A few years ago, experts estimated that it would take $1.6 trillion to restore our national highway system. Bush's proposed tax cuts for millionaires was exactly that. What he got was a mere $1.3 trillion. Sure would've been nice to use that towards highway construction, don't you think?
And now, we're spending $12 billion EVERY MONTH in a land that we've got absolutely NO BUSINESS BEING IN. While at the same time, our schools are rotting and crumbling, our highways are rotting and crumbling, our bridges are rotting and crumbing, our electrical grids are rotting and crumbling. In effect, the very core of our nation is falling apart before our eyes, as a DIRECT RESULT of republican "gut-the-government" ideology, but we've got $12 billion we can flush down the toilet called Iraq every month.
It's time to finally hold these GD neocons accountable for the damage that they've caused this nation. Yeah, it sucks that a tragedy like this becomes political, but guess what? It IS political. It is ABSOLUTELY the republican's fault that this happened, and will happen again, because they just HAD to have their precious tax cuts for millionaires and their illegal war in Iraq.
Like it or not, neocons, this one is all yours, and we're going to force you to face it, ugly as it is. It's time you started to see what you're obsession with tax cuts for millionaires has done.
Minnesota's governor is a "government killing" republican. The man in office before him was a former wrestler, who had also bought into the government killing mantra.
"A good solution might be to privitize the highway system. We could guarantee they would regularly maintain their bridges due to liability issues."
Somebody has forgotten about a little company called "ENRON" and the private companies that have allowed our nation's electrical power grids to deteriorate to the point of near collapse. Apparently, you've forgotten the rolling brown outs in CA and the black out of much of the nation a few years back.
And, we're all painfully aware of how "well" the private health care industry has done for us.
Private companies make terrific widgets. They suck beyond compare at managing the public infrastructure. They've proven it over and over and over again.
Let's look at what private entities are in business for. Profit. What makes them more profit? Cutting experienced employees to "raise productivity," cutting back on maintenance schedules (which is what the private power companies have done to weaken our power grid), and gouging customers in any way possible (ENRON, anyone?).
Who is more likely to maintain your roadways, a private company, whose sole interest is profit generation, or a public entity that is driven solely by safety concerns?
Liability will protect us? That's hysterical. How many people from Love Canal have received compensation for being poisoned? How many people have received compensation from ATT for being illegally spied upon? How much compensation did the survivors of Bophal India receive from Union Carbide?
The fact is, corporations have massive resources to fight off litigation, and oh, btw, republicans have also limited the amount of compensation that you can receive...how thoughtful of them. Not only can corporations drag you through court for decades, but they can suddenly declare bankruptcy the moment you finally do win your case, and you get nothing.
Don't worry, though...at that point, the public picks up the tab. This is the beauty of the republiCON con game. They get to screw you 8 different ways, and you still keep coming back and asking for more, because they're hosing you at so many different levels that you can't even keep focused.
M C., Aug 2, 2007, 7:14pm EDT "
Sweet debating skills. I'm humbled.
Jesus of Nazareth once supposedly said give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and give unto God that which is God's. In a similar vein, I will say let the public entity handle that which is public, and let the private world handle that which is private. I do not think that the safety of public transportation is the business of the business world.
No, I'm not wrong. The problem with the size of the government has nothing to do with public infrastructure, without which this country would cease to be a functioning nation. I absolutely agree that the federal government spends FAR too much money that it doesn't have, but if you take a look at where that money is going, and match it to the priorities that the founders laid out in the constitution, you'll quickly see that it's the massive, tragically wasteful corporate welfare programs, the unfathomably massive military and terrorist industrial complexes and their permanent war machines, and the whorish private health care system that are crippling us.
Spending on social and national infrastructure is an INVESTMENT. Spending on corporate welfare is WASTEFUL. This is the core difference in the philosophy of the left vs. right. The left recognizes that spending for education, well being, and the commons is money that is returned many times over to society. The right simply doesn't accept this. They wish to believe that pouring money into corporate wallets is an investment. However, as is shown time and time again, this is simply not the case.
"So this is how the gas tax works."
I know how it works. I also know that this republican governor vetoed a recent highway funding bill because it involved a 5c tax increase per gallon. In the process of vetoing that bill, he threw away several millions of federal funding dollars. But, at least he can claim that he didn't raise taxes. Penny wise, dollar foolish. The true sign of a republican politician.
"Everything should not be run by the Federal Govenment."
DOTs are run by the states.
This is a great site for that information, because it not only has a running tally, but lets you see just what this country is being robbed of, in order to continue pissing borrowed money down the neocon hell hole.
http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Cost-of-War/Cost-of-War-3.html
"Oh yeah, Publius, great idea, privatize the public bridges."
The government kept it safe right. Oh wait. Nevermind
No kidding? Do you suppose that's who directs federal funding to the states? Gee, I hadn't even thought of that.
Each state has it's own DOT. The work that is done on highways is done by the state DOT. There are no federal DOT crews patching asphalt in MN.
Btw, do you happen to know which political party has been responsible for the massive growth of the federal government over the past 26 years? No, I think not, or you wouldn't be saying the things you're saying, would you? I'll give you a little hint: It's grown by 25% since 2001. Welcome to massive republican government.
But as far as the political end, I can't give the democrats a pass. To me, they are just as guilty. At a time like this, I think ALL politicians are responsible. One gives tax breaks, the other increases taxes. Neither one spends as much as NEEDED, to protect us on our highways.
As I have said in the past, the only thing that the federal government is good at is keeping itself in power.
I strongly doubt that the levee would've been left uncompleted, due to a $26 million shortfall that was sent to Iraq instead.
I am not making this a partisan issue. I do not care about political parties. I just want smaller Federal Government. I dont think big government solves problems. I am against higher taxes because we dont spend the money we collect right yet. To me it is about correcting government. Not one party is right and the other is wrong, in that equations WE THE PEOPLE, LOSE. Take of your partisan blinders and lets talk about solutions.
Denny B
"As I have said in the past, the only thing that the federal government is good at is keeping itself in power."
Well Said.
"Each state has it's own DOT. The work that is done on highways is done by the state DOT. There are no federal DOT crews patching asphalt in MN."
Thanks for rewording exactly what i said earlier.
and
"Does anyone know the total spent so far in that country?"
Lets make sure everything comes back to the war. Thats really what you want to talk about
I strongly doubt that the levee would've been left uncompleted, due to a $26 million shortfall that was sent to Iraq instead.
Get Real Clark. Take off those partisan blinders. Come on it wont hurt I promise.
We have bridges much older than the one that collapsed that are still standing -- "yesterday's standards" are not necessarily insufficient.
Thanks, Ellen, for your kind words - I appreciate it.
Your ignorance is astounding.
That is shocking... the feeling is like the whole world collapse on you...( Gulp, there were some more bridges!)
Very true. We have 2,000 year old structures still standing all over the world.
Una dila, means, ''first tongue'' it also means two things one is bad and one is good..., and etc. The Good thing that its means a ''Mother Language''....
''FIRST TONGUE''
------------
Its very important to check every bridges periodically as precaution now that there were fall downs...
I dont need to get a clue. If we got rid of a bloated government there would be more than enough to go around. True we are spending a lot on the war. That is a fuction on the Federal Government, and they can do that if they want. The real issue is not always about spending more money but sometimes using money more effectivley