SOCIALISM!!

Really, it gets tiresome.

This, Out of Jefferson City, Is Inexcusable

I saw this article and link yesterday, online:

Legislative session came — and went — with no highway fix

One of the most important things our state legislators at the state capitol needed to do this last session, the one just ended, was to have found some way to fund and pay for the infrastructure work and repairs we need all across this state on all our roads, bridges and highways.

They didn't touch it.

It's made all the worse by the fact that the Federal Government in Washington is playing the same seeming fiddle they are.

Leaving the Highway Trust Fund High and Dry

Congress has bought the U.S. two more months of highway funding – through the end of July. Just like last summer, Congress has left major uncertainty about federal funding for our nation’s highway system for debate during the height of the summer travel season.

We need about $50 billion a year to maintain the nation’s highways, but the main revenue source for that maintenance, the federal gas tax, hasn’t been increased even to adjust for inflation since 1993. Currently it brings in about $34 billion a year, leaving a major funding shortfall.

So each year, Congress finds itself passing short term stop gap measures. Each year, this process takes time and attention from other matters. Since 2008 alone, Congress has enacted 33 temporary fixes for the highway fund.

Proposals exist for more permanent solutions, but despite the seeming common sense of raising the gas tax after more than twenty years, lawmakers each year choose to continue underinvestment and uncertainty for our nation’s infrastructure. It’s part of a larger pattern of underinvestment in infrastructure, and we can do better.

And we've known we've needed these repairs and updates for years. We know we can't have good, smooth roads and bridges without upkeep. Nothing works like that, let alone our thoroughfares.

More on what needs to be done:

CBO: Highway Trust Fund would need $3 billion through Sept. 30

Adding to the insanity of the current situation is that with gasoline prices having dropped so precipitously in the last year or two, it surely seems easy and clear that we should maybe add at least some, a bit, to our gas tax as a way to pay for it all. Gasoline has gone from over $4 per gallon 2 years ago to now just over $2 per gallon. Surely we can agree there's some room in there to raise the gas tax--it hasn't been raised since 1993, for pity's sake--so we can fund our transportation repairs.

America used to work. We used to be able to do things. We used to be able to do these things. It's how we built our national highway system. It's also how we built a thriving middle class and a strong, even robust economy.

Sure, the Republicans stand in the way of tax increases but we have to find a way forward on this issue and, of course, others.

Our choices are to start having our  roads, bridges and freeways become toll roads--no one likes those-- or we can continue to let them fall apart.

Surely we can all agree we don't want to be that kind of nation and people.

We need to get our legislators to act, on the state and federal levels, both.

Missouri, Learning Nothing From Neighboring Kansas

First Kansas slashes taxes on the wealthy and corporations--you know, the old Right Wing "tickle down" ideas--on the promise it will bring business, people and money to the state and its coffers.

It fails miserably.

You think Missourians in Jeff City would see and learn anything from it?

Not really. They still wanted to slash those taxes down at the Missouri State Capitol.

Now?  It seems Missouri wants to do the same thing, again. That is, Missouri legislators are proposing already-sponsored legislation Kansas enacted and has some experience with.  First, what's being thought of and maybe proposed in the Show Me state just now:

Lawmaker wants 75 mph limit on some Missouri roads

And as I said, Kansas beat us to this. And here's their results:

Fatal crashes spike on Kansas highways after speed limit climbs to 75 mph

Folks? May I ask a question? Please?

Can we learn nothing?

And another.  Why would we go down this path?

The GOP, Their Leadership In Congress and Where We Go From Here

I love this article

GOP leaders staring at cliffs

Boehner, McConnell have big plans and big obstacles.

I'll cut to the chase, so to speak. Of the entire article, this is the part that intrigues and involves me most:

The highway trust fund will become insolvent in May, and federally funded infrastructure projects across America will grind to a halt if nothing is done. Congress will have to work out a new funding mechanism — the gas tax has not been raised since 1993, and fuel-efficient cars have steadily decreased its buying power. Raising the tax is politically difficult, so Boehner, McConnell and the transportation chairmen will have to work out another funding mechanism — or turn to another unpopular general fund bailout, rather than risk a construction shutdown.

This Highway Trust Fund needs so much money it's beyond thought. Our infrastructure needs so much attention. We have so many highways, bridges and airports and so much infrastructure that needs reworking and improving and updating, it's nearly staggering.

Fortunately and rather ironically, we're at a time when, not only do all these things need so much attention but with oil per barrel and per gallon, at the pump, is so low, it would seem it's the perfect time to increase this gas tax so we can fund this infrastructure and so, the country and our commerce.

It used to be government representatives would legislate and act for the betterment and best of the nation, of the country. But as we've seen of particularly the Republican Party in the last few decades at least and especially since our current president was elected, they legislate and put their party first, country be damned.

And that's where we are today.

What should be easy and intelligent legislation for the country and for the people becomes complicated and difficult, if not impossible, for these people. Their biggest fear is that this president would be successful and so, that they might suffer. 

It used to be if the country was successful, that was your goal in government, no matter your position. Not so now. These people are downright fearful that, should President Obama be successful, should the US profit and grow during this time frame, they would be hurt. The last thing they want is to come close to doing anything, anything whatever, that would create a second Franklin Roosevelt. They never forgot the lesson of FDR and the Great Depression. He was successful and what did that get them?  They were out of favor with the voters for at least 40 years.

So screw you, America. The Republican Party must come first. 

If you're still here after all this, once they're finally back in the White House, then they might consider doing something for you. Something for Mr. and Mrs. Working Man and Woman of the nation. 

Like a jobs bill.

Or like the infrastructure needed to make the nation work.

Finally, finally, someone's talking about jobs

And wouldn't you know, it's the President and not someone in the other political party:

Obama Pushes Plan to Build Roads and Bridges

By PETER BAKER and JOHN SCHWARTZ

Declaring, "Let's get started rebuilding America," President Obama promoted a merger of tax breaks, loans and private investment to generate money for projects.

This is long, long overdue, even if we all ignored this recent report:

The latest national report card issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers this month on the state of bridges, roads, power grids, rail networks and other systems showed that the country’s grade had actually risen for the first time — but to a D-plus from a D. 

I've been writing on this for some time, both here and on our Missouri Senator's home Facebook pages, in an effort to get some money for widening, improving and updating Interstate 70 from East Missouri and St. Louis, all the way across the state to Kansas City and the Kansas border.

It needs it badly, it's unsafe, it's narrow, it would be good for families and personal travel as well as business and business travel. It would create jobs for the region. There's just everything good about it and we need it sorely, as I said.

So, now, we wait.

We wait for the Republicans to come out against it.

Well, hey, it was proposed by this President, wasn't it?

WHAT DO WE WANT??

JOBS!!

WHEN DO WE WANT THEM??

4 YEARS AGO!!

Senator McCaskill?  Senator Blunt?

Notes on driving around the city last evening

Three notes:

--First, it seems clear--very clear--that the state of Missouri got a whole lot of things done on I-435 and I-70 in order to spruce it up prior to Major League Basevall's All Star Game that's coming up shortly. It's wider, smoother, painted and nearly completely ready to go. Kudos to all involved.

--Second, I cannot begin to understand who thought up the new interchange at I-435 and Front Street.

Wow. Just wow.

A "roundabout" like they have in Europe and that we've imitated now, here in the States, has nothing on the zig-zag that this intersection has going on. When you're driving it, you're not quite sure where it's going and you're following all the signs you can, just to make sure you're in the right place.

--Finally, I can't be certain but I believe the least expensive gas in town right now is $3.29 per gallon at the Flying J truck stop at said same I-435 and Front Street exit.

Just good luck to you navigating that thing.

Yikes.

Now, keep cool out there today.

Inaction from Jeff City

The latest from Jefferson City on I-70 and the much-needed and too-often-neglected and forgotten improvements that vital thoroughfare in the state needs:

Missouri Senate chooses I-70 highway study over toll roads

It's disgusting.

Instead of actually doing something about I-70 and the dangerous, far-too-small nightmare it is, our Jefferson City legislature has set something up to "study" it.

Yeehaw.

That'll help.

Not.

I say here again, surely there can be no bigger or more important issue for our State and even Federal legislatures than to widen and make more safe this freeway.

It would make all who use it safer, it could help facilitate more and better business in the state, it effects virtually every Missourian in the state--and many people in the nation each year--and finally, it could help create some jobs in the state, if even temporary.

Instead, we get inaction from Jefferson City and our legislatures.

Instead, we get a "study."

Thanks, Missouri Legislators.

For nothing.

Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/03/3592312/missouri-senate-chooses-i-70-highway.html

No urgency on I-70 from anywhere

The Pitch Magazine and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch report that "I-70 will remain toll-free for another year." It seems Jefferson City just hasn't gotten it together to decide how to fix this most-vital artery in the state. Our Senators in Washington don't seem to be especially fighting for any additional federal moneys and the statehouse can't decide if we can do a toll road without asking the state voters for the okay. In the meantime, what remains is a terribly dangerous, nearly murderous highway that needs expanding horribly.

It would add a great deal to the safety of the citizens of the state and to the safety of any out-of-staters that use it. It would also add to good commerce in the state, really, whether you're crossing it in your car for a meeting or you drive an 18-wheeler daily. The lack of attention this I-70 matter is getting is appalling. For any business people who drive it, especially as it courses through Columbia, as a worst-case scenario, you can usually always see a horrible car wreck of two or more cars because it slows down and meanders through what has become the center of that city.

The two lanes offered, in each direction, are far too narrow, especially with the heavy tractor-trailer traffic it gets. Bad as that all is, check this one out from the Pitch: "Even if tolls were approved, MoDOT estimates that it would be two years before construction could begin and six to eight years before the project would be finished." That's horrible.

We are years away from even starting the process and many years from completion. In the meantime, seriously, people are going to be killed because our Jefferson City government representatives have been unresponsive to the needs of the citizens. This is inexcusable. It's gone on far too long and there's still no end in sight to the foot-dragging. Somebody needs a good, swift kick in the pants.

Links: http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2012/04/24/i-70-will-remain-toll-free-for-another-year; http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/interstate-toll-proposal-hits-roadblock/article_fdeb11ac-d575-5d51-96c6-de82b4ce4757.html#ixzz1sq6HWLFn; http://moravings.blogspot.com/2011/12/face-it-i-70-will-be-toll-road-one-day.html

I-29 in Iowa

I have a brother and sister-in-law who live North of here, in Tarkio, Missouri. The above picture was just sent to them from a friend in Council Bluffs. As labeled above, it's of I-29 in Iowa where some of the water has receded. From what he's been told the Iowa Department of Transportation is thinking they will have to build a road to re-build the road. WPA (Works Progress Administration) for jobs and infrastructure, anyone?

Quick, someone tell the Eastern mass transit pain-in-the-neck

Heads up, kids, there was a report on NPR today that pointed out two things about traffic and transportation in cities. First, "The study looked at the largest metropolitan cities in the U.S. and found that widening and building more roads actually creates more traffic." And then, the second that pretty much kills the idea of building mass transit: "Turner's study took into account public transportation, but a city's amount of public transportation didn't make a dent in congestion problems. 'As you increased a city's stock of light rail or bus cars, that there's no impact on the amount of driving,' Turner says. Although that may sound surprising, he says, it's a logically consistent with the study's data on driving. 'As you add roads to a city those roads get filled up. There are people waiting to use that capacity. The result on transit is almost exactly the opposite of that.' Ultimately, Turner's research has shown that the only way to deal with congestion is to follow the lead of countries such as London, Singapore and Stockholm, which have incorporated congestion pricing into their city infrastructures. Turner says Stockholm, specifically, has seen a 50 percent reduction in travel time at peak times because of tolls. So someone please notify that chucklehead back East (I don't want to give him any more attention here or anywhere else) and let him know we absolutely don't need or want his "assistance" any further, thanks very much.

 

From a taxi in Las Vegas at about 55 mph. (I know it saved me).