Infrastructure is hurting Pittsburgh (low income, schools, income)

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Let's face it, it's just become too convenient to "Blame Obama" as much of the country has been relegated to. It allows the real irresponsible congressional leaders to slip right on by and in some cases become even more popular rather than being held accountable by their constituents. All because of how polarizing the POTUS is to a certain segment of the population.

Yes. He's hardly without problems, but when he gets blamed for not doing things that elected Republicans won't do because it will make them too conservative to win re-election in their own district, I think "obstruction" is exactly the right word.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Let's face it, it's just become too convenient to "Blame Obama" as much of the country has been relegated to. It allows the real irresponsible congressional leaders to slip right on by and in some cases become even more popular rather than being held accountable by their constituents. All because of how polarizing the POTUS is to a certain segment of the population.

in fairness, bush received plenty of blame as well. you blame corbett for everything yet the legislature is a huge part of the problem. it's a natural tendency and an effective strategy.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by pman

in fairness, bush received plenty of blame as well. you blame corbett for everything yet the legislature is a huge part of the problem. it's a natural tendency and an effective strategy.

No I Haven't blamed Corbett for everything...I only blamed him for one thing and that's leadership, or the lack there of. The legislature wasn't the cause as to why he chose to ignore Transportation Issue for so long. Put simply he's an in-effective governor, which is why even Repubs in the state want him to step aside, and his poll numbers reflect that.

Difference between Obama and Bush is the Democratic controlled congress actual worked and made deals with Bush and got bills passed, so things that Bush was blamed for he actually had a hand in creating/implementing. Dems were not obstructionist to Bush.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I don't like the term "obstruct" as it is divisive and implies malevolent intent.

IOW, it's so perfectly descriptive.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

No I Haven't blamed Corbett for everything...I only blamed him for one thing and that's leadership, or the lack there of. The legislature wasn't the cause as to why he chose to ignore Transportation Issue for so long. Put simply he's an in-effective governor, which is why even Repubs in the state want him to step aside, and his poll numbers reflect that.

Difference between Obama and Bush is the Democratic controlled congress actual worked and made deals with Bush and got bills passed, so things that Bush was blamed for he actually had a hand in creating/implementing. Dems were not obstructionist to Bush.

while he is an ineffective governor, the legislature is the reason we don't have a transportation plan funded today. they didn't pass one under corbett and they didn't pass one under rendell. corbett has become the scapegoat for the failures of harrisburg from both parties.
Dems, perhaps, should have been more obstructionist. there's nothing inherently wrong with blocking things from getting done. either way, the president gets the blame (rightly and wrongly). some of the worst bills are the ones that pass the most freely.

[BarqCider]

Originally Posted by speagles84

EXACTLY. As much as I'd hate to see gas prices rise, this is the solution. We haven't seen a significant increase in 20 years, and our bridges tunnels and asphalt have bared the price.

being from virginia i can assure you no matter what they do raising taxes for road purposes, little will ever ben seen in pittsburgh. heck, between nothern va and hampton roads, we pay to pave the rest of va yet they never plan to fix the gridlock around the area. even the lexus lanes, not much of that toll goes to the state; instead that money goes to an australian company who expanded the beltway.

figure out another way to raise money to fix the roads/bridges because hiking gas tax isnt going to solve it.

[zman63]

Originally Posted by mdavis6890

The answer to problems like this are actually pretty easy:
Give the bridges to private businesses. Require that they carry a $10B insurance policy.

Whatever company is formed to hold the bridge will charge an appropriate toll and keep the bridge in shape. $10B is a big incentive not to allow problems, and the insurance company will be very motivated to make sure the bridge stays in good shape. It's also enough to pay families $10M per person for 1000 deaths should something catastrophic happen. It wouldn't bring anybody back, but again, it's a big incentive for the business to keep the bridge in shape.

The users of the bridge will pay for it's upkeep through tolls, as they should. Taxpayers who do not use the bridge will no longer be forced to pay for it.

You might be worried that the business might try to jack up the tolls, which I'm sure they will. But in the city of bridges, people have a lot of options for getting from point A to point B, including other paths, mass transit across the bridge, and carpooling across the bridge, or even working from home when possible. In the end, that will keep tolls in line with the value of crossing the bridge. You might not allow the same business to own more than one bridge, just to make sure there's competition.

Michael

Pittsburgh is hanging onto the edge of the cliff by fingernails. If you toll the city you might as well put a "closed for business, owner gone insane" sign on it. Tolls would most assuredly kill the city/region. Businesses will close or relocate to another state. You are better off relocating everybody in the region and dropping an atomic bomb to level it all rather than tolling the roads to polish a turd. It would be much cheaper that way.

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by BarqCider

instead that money goes to an australian company who expanded the beltway.
.

Aussie are good at tollways. Drive around Sydney or Melbourne and you'll admire their abilities. Nice roads though.

[pman]

Originally Posted by zman63

Pittsburgh is hanging onto the edge of the cliff by fingernails. If you toll the city you might as well put a "closed for business, owner gone insane" sign on it. Tolls would most assuredly kill the city/region. Businesses will close or relocate to another state. You are better off relocating everybody in the region and dropping an atomic bomb to level it all rather than tolling the roads to polish a turd. It would be much cheaper that way.

santiago chile is absolutely booming, they have toll roads built by foreigners. perhaps the turd is the US not Pittsburgh, and people have to stop expecting to crap on everyone else free of charge

[zman63]

Originally Posted by pman

santiago chile is absolutely booming, they have toll roads built by foreigners. perhaps the turd is the US not Pittsburgh, and people have to stop expecting to crap on everyone else free of charge

While we are at it lets do away with the taxpayer funded fire and police. When you call 911 have your credit card handy so they can start charging you from dispatch time. The only way they show up is if you can pay for it. No credit card=no help . When you are old and cannot care for yourself the only way you get help is if you have money. Lets do away with all of the healthcare aid and help for older people.

I love it how people like you complain about everybody getting crap free of charge. I am not opposed to spending tax dollars on people and things that need it.

You know what angers me? When the residents of Allegheny County voted down public tax dollars paying for two stadiums for private enterprise (Steelers and Pirates). Even though the residents voted it down it was still forced on us by the state. The extra 1 percent sales tax would've been better spent to fix bridges and roads. Also you gotta love the 500 million dollar taxpayer funded tunnel to the Rooney's castle on the north side.


With all of that said life would be so much easier if EVERYBODY (Rich and Poor, etc.) realized that they die one day. You cannot take all of the money with you. Enjoy life while you are here and know that you will grow old one day and the last thing on your mind will be taxes, welfare and people or businesses getting things for nothing....