why are our roads crap? (San Diego, San Jose: living, pricing, bus)

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by jm1982

The 10 million of taxpayer money to defend illegal aliens is awful.

According to FAIR , California spends over $25 BILLION on illegal aliens annually.

That would go pretty far in fixing our roads and many other issues.

A breakdown of some of the expenses

"Among the report's key findings:
Funding the K-12 education for children who are themselves illegal aliens and for the citizen children of illegal aliens accounted for the largest share of the cost to taxpayers at $14.4 billion. These services included standard public school educations and supplemental English language instruction. Despite federal funding, the average per pupil expenditure is $10,450 each year.
Justice and law enforcement costs — policing, court and incarceration — associated with illegal aliens soared to more than $4.4 billion.
Medical services cost taxpayers approximately $4 billion, including $388 million associated with 68,000 births to illegal alien mothers.
Public assistance — low-cost meal programs, free immunizations, etc. — are available to residents regardless of legal status. The $792 million price tag for these services is borne by California taxpayers."

Illegal Immigration Costs California Taxpayers More Than $25 Billion a Year, Finds FAIR

Yes, it is.

If a legal resident ran into some type of trouble, they would have to pay out of pocket for an attorney. Even if that meant in monthly installments.

The immigration attorneys don't care about these people, they know they're guaranteed $$$$$$.

[Finper]

Don't worry our new gas/registration tax will fix those roads right up as fast as you can say rip off

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

Pensions and trains to nowhere that will be done once we are all dead.

^^This.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by Finper

Don't worry our new gas/registration tax will fix those roads right up as fast as you can say rip off

LOL, I love how no one seems to ask how come they were allowed to get so bad in the first place? As if there was no money to repair them before Brown came up with this tax.

Roads are kind of like teeth, the more they're neglected, the more costly it is going to be to repair them.

[Western Urbanite]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

You're way too optimistic. Cause there is no way they can get it done that fast

That isn't fair. Metro has done a great job opening hundreds of miles of rail in the past 25 years, and within the next 10, we'll have the Crenshaw/LAX line, Regional Connector, and a purple line to Westwood.

[Californiaguy2007]

It truly is embarrassing considering that we also live in the state with the largest economy in the country and one of the largest in the world and yet our freeways/highways are a mess literally...It really does make you wonder where is all the money going

I suggest people start contacting our leaders up in Sacramento and also the Caltrans Director to voice your concerns about the outdated and deteriorating condition of our freeways/highways throughout the state.

And also on the Caltrans Website you can also submit a report for freeway cleanup in your county as well

https://www.gov.ca.gov/home.php

Caltrans - California Department of Transportation

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

we pay a fortune in taxes, car registration fees and other crap and our roads are terrible.

where is this money going to?

[C_A_Braun]

Once you get out of the L.A. County bubble, the roads are not too bad around here. I don't spend much time in OC but I can tell you that when I travel North on 14 and cross Ave A into Kern County the roads are much nicer. Same thing when I am on 58 heading towards 15 and I cross into SB county. For the most part nice roads. It can get a bit rough around Kramer Junction but that it mostly due to the heave rains this winter and the fact that it is a pretty major trucking intersection.

Doesn't seem like a person can drive more than 100 yards on any road in L.A. County without ending up in a rut or being swallowed by a pot hole.

[Social Democrat]

Originally Posted by Western Urbanite

That isn't fair. Metro has done a great job opening hundreds of miles of rail in the past 25 years, and within the next 10, we'll have the Crenshaw/LAX line, Regional Connector, and a purple line to Westwood.

Relax. The reference was to the so called bullet train that many view as the train to nowhere. It will be miraculous if that is ever completed and if it is, it will most likely be obsolete.
I agree, progress is being made on the Metro expansion. Would like to see a benefactor step in and beautify the Union Station Metro with art work etc. That grey concrete is depressing.

[payutenyodagimas]

Originally Posted by Snoozefest

Which of these would you do away with?

anything that helps them should be done away with. give you an example.


legal immigrants must pass a written and oral English before they are given green cards. what that means? you don't need English translation if you came here legally. that alone saves a lot..in schools..in hospitals..etc

[Western Urbanite]

Originally Posted by Social Democrat

Relax. The reference was to the so called bullet train that many view as the train to nowhere. It will be miraculous if that is ever completed and if it is, it will most likely be obsolete.
I agree, progress is being made on the Metro expansion. Would like to see a benefactor step in and beautify the Union Station Metro with art work etc. That grey concrete is depressing.

I think that is also unfair. It is on track to open San Jose-Fresno within 10 years, and only needs $3 billion more in funding to do San Francisco-Bakersfield in that time. There is no technology that can realistically replace it as well.

PS. Union Station is planned on being redone like this:
PPS. Union Station will be redone like that partially because of HSR.