Posted by Speaking Just For Me on March 19, 2005 at 16:47:42 (PST):
In Reply to: Re: money awarded posted by Eddie R. on March 19, 2005 at 15:39:13 (PST):
: : : Did anybody get to see the nice $250K check Rendell gave to Pittsburgh to advertise how great the city is? I think that's real generous of him, considering he already gave them and Philly that big chunk from the highway funds to keep the bus routes going. Also consider that that is money which could be used in local communities to replace the CDBG money that we might lose if those funds are cut. I think if those funds had been used more wisely, and in a manner which benifitted the redevelopment of industry in the areas they were given to, they probably wouldn't get cut. Don't get me wrong, MOST of what was done with these funds is worthwhile. I just think that the county and it's communities could have used the funds more wisely in many cases. Both in better projects, and more cost efficient pursuit of the projects they came up with.
: : : Well, let's hope the money brings some business up this was.
: : : Has anyone heard any news on riverboat gambling?
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: : Not a fan of Eddie Rendell at all. I compare him to some greasy, ratty used car salesman, BUT if you want to talk about short-changing this community and other communities across the country, you do not need to look any further than the amn they call Gee-Dubbya who is in the White House. Hell, one soldier who came back jokingly said that they have better roads in Iraq than we do over here.
: : Hey, we got 3 1/2 more years of this. Blame your governors all you want, but the states are getting short-changed. You know what is pretty bad?? We are accumulating this huge national debt at the federal level, but none of that money is beng spent on our own people.
: : Yoi!!!!!!
: I agree with the last part. Too much of our money IS being spent on other contries. WE have this huge debt, yet we still give billions in foriegn aid. We loan money to other countries, then forgive the debt. We allow goods from other countries to come in virtually untaxed while these same countries place huge tariffs on goods from our country. None of these practices where began by the man you hate. These problems all stem from the liberal democrats view that we as a country are obligated to solve the problems of the world. If we would simply worry about solving our own problems first, before solving the problems of others, we would all be better off. If a family owes a mortgage, can't pay its' utilities, owes huge amounts of money to creditors and the father is laid off, they don't loan the guy next door money to fix his car do they? That's the equivalent of what's going on. We need to quit giving away money, start taxing goods coming in (which would be an inccentive to buy American), AND make cuts in government spending (my first cut would be, HUGE temporary cuts in NASA spending). Although I feel we do benifit greatly from space research, I feel that we need to be in the black economically before we should spend so much money on it. This research could also be done by the private sector.
: I know I'm all over the place here but these are just the thoughts that came to me as I was typing.
Do not get me wrong, but you may not be familiar with my philosophy, I am not huge advocate for the GOP or the Dems. I think the current two-party system is infested with corruption (campain financing). I do not think either party is looking for the good of the middle class.
As for my displeasure with Gee-Dubbya and the neocons, it is because of the way they use relgion to influence their decisions, when that is not their true agenda. I start thinking about the liberties we have maintained in this country and then I reflect back to history and see how some of the most radical rulers have risen to power while using the mixture of religion and politics. I think we are on the same slippery slop at this time.
You have a GOP House, a GOP Senate, and GOP Executive Branch, but I have not even heard the idea of overturning Roe vs. Wade. I am not saying that I am pro-life or pro-choice, but the fact is that the players are in place to overturn this religiously-active issue?? This President has attached himslef to the very, strict evangilical base. What changes has he made that supports his words? He used them as puppets to get elected, and then has done terrible harm to the middle class economically while the base still clings to his every word. His faith-based initiatives were and continue to be a joke. His own appointee quit as head of the faith-based initiatives and is on record saying that Gee-Dubbya spoke a good game during election time but then has not back up his words with action or money.
I agree with everything you have said about our spending problems. Then only thing I will disagree with you on is your assumption that foreign aid and free trade agreements were products of the liberal Democrats. This simply is not true. NAFTA for example was first put into creation by the Reagan administration. It was proposed and supported by Bush (1) during his term, and it was signed by Bill Clinton. Foreign aid has been a presidential staple for both parties, despite it being a liberal or conservative in office.