Secrets of the City

It’s about time the legislators in St. Paul did something that will help the general public instead of bikering constantly among themselves. Why did it take the collapse of the 35W bridge for Gov. Pawlenty and his crew of idiots to see that something had to be done about are failing roads and bridges. He still doesn’t reallty think anything needs to be done or he would have been pushing for the gas tax along with the deomcrats and a few smart republicans that understand sometimes you need to raise taxes to maintain current roads and bridges as well as for needed future transportaion projects. At one time Minnesota roads were far superior to those of our neighboring states. Not any more. Even Wisconson, whos roads used to be terrible back in the 70’s & 80’s have better roads than us. Maybe this will change now for the better in Miinesota if the politicians use the money for what it was intended for and not other pet projects. Maybe some of the money could be used to maintain better the handicap ramps at many intersections in Mpls. Some are full of pot holes and need alot of work. My front wheel got caught in one downtown back in January and it took the help of two passing young men to free me of this hole. Those of us like me who use a wheelchair to get around because we can’t walk would appreciate this very much. This is a very minor cost, keeping up these ramps. But it goes neglected like lots of other things.

Whats’ another 5 or 8 cents on an already over priced gallon of gas. The gas ststions raise the price 20 to 30 cents at a crack and no one really does anything about it. If you really want to help lower the price of gas, or at least slow down it’s constant upward spiral do as I did. I drive an older model pickup truck, a small one that gets good gas mileage. 26mpg on the road and 19 around town. I also cut down on my driving. By combining just a few trips I cut down thirty or so mile a week. Some of you complain that you can’t cut down. Everyone can cut down to some degree. Those of you that drive large vehicles just because you think it’s cool to drive could save a lot by downsizing. Those of you that commute more than ten miles from home might ask themselves why do they do this and is it possible to find a similar job closer to where you live. I’m lucky I work only four miles from my home. And finally those of you that just drive around for the fun of it, shame on you. I know it’s fun. I did it myself years ago when gas was cheap, but not any more. If you need or want to drive alot at least buy a veicle that gets decent mileage. So unless your dirt poor another 75 cents to 100 on a tank of gas isn’t going to make you go broke. It’s just something else for you to complain about like your bad gas mileage. Wake up out there.

From MPR:

“Using a Civil War analogy, Seifert equated the override to a Bull Run defeat. He views Nov. 4, when the entire House is up for re-election, as a potential Gettysburg win for Republicans.”

Gettysburg? or Waterloo?

It will be interesting nonetheless to see how it is spun come election time. In the metro, nothing will change, but I suspect that in the rural areas, the farmers, who have to pay more to fill their vehicles just as prices of grain are starting to go their way are going to be a bit upset.

As The Rat pointed out, the farmers are upset about a number of things. If you are a wheat farmer, the prices should seem pretty good right now.

Not quite sure how this action might effect the price of E85, if at all.

First of all, it’s not true that “nothing was being done.” The old joke around these parts that there’s two seasons in minnesota, winter and road construction, isn’t far from the truth. Most people are constantly complaining about all the inconvenience caused by road repair and construction in this state, not the lack of it.

Secondly, in a supposedly bad economy, with rising prices on food, energy and other living expenses, the government shouldn’t be raising the cost of living even further on the citizenry.

Thirdly, there’s other ways to fund road construction.

yes, like borrowing the money and expecting your children to pay for it

I paid for your education. Seems only fair.

Get a room already.

Maz has a salient point. Every spring we hear the news stories warning us to get ready for another busy construction season and inevitably people get upset about detours and road closings and all the other annoyances that come along with them. There’s a disconnect between that and this assertion that we aren’t doing enough for transportation. Taking up the nether region between the two is the fact that people consistently rank transportation as a very low priority, right down there with the politically motivated immigration problem and only a few points above the always bashing you in the face global warming problem. Contrary to the picture that’s created for us, people just don’t care a whole lot. But it’s such a good story.

anyone want to start a pool on how soon they raise bus fares again?

Perhaps not, kevin. I know people who don’t care much for politics or government, either, but who could tell me every detail of last night’s reality teevee show.

Lack of public interest does not equal lack of importance to the public.

Sure, there is a disconnect. There is with many subjects. Human nature, I guess.

Maz has a salient point.
I thought his point “I paid for your education. Seems only fair.” was interesting as well. Though, I hesitate to comment as I haven’t thought is all the way through. I do know every fall we get a new referendum to add along with other outstanding referendums for more school funding.

Considering all the investing we do towards the future; is it wrong to sometimes leave a bill?

26mpg on the road and 19 around town. I also cut down on my driving. By combining just a few trips I cut down thirty or so mile a week. Some of you complain that you can’t cut down. Everyone can cut down to some degree. Those of you that drive large vehicles just because you think it’s cool to drive could save a lot by downsizing. Those of you that commute more than ten miles from home might ask themselves why do they do this and is it possible to find a similar job closer to where you live. I’m lucky I work only four miles from my home. And finally those of you that just drive around for the fun of it, shame on you. I know it’s fun. I did it myself years ago when gas was cheap, but not any more. If you need or want to drive alot at least buy a veicle that gets decent mileage. So unless your dirt poor another 75 cents to 100 on a tank of gas isn’t going to make you go broke. It’s just something else for you to complain about like your bad gas mileage. Wake up out there.

I can afford to pay for my truck that gets poor gas mileage. I drive to work and refuse to move closer to the metro. I left the big city and am not moving back because I am sick and tired of people telling me what to do. Who do you think you are telling people like me where to live, what to drive and what to do. Kiss my ass. I will always drive a big truck and will not car pool or ride mass transit. I will not do this because I don’t want to. I am sick of the left wing regulators trying to infringe on my rights. I will pay the gas tax but will not vote for people that raise my taxes. Yesterday the democrats won in the long run people hate taxes. Mandating my behavior will only increase my refusal to comply with the individuals who feel it their job to tell me how to live. Shame on me up your. L

i wanted to read this thread, but i couldn’t get past Legless Linda’s spelling of Wisconsin.

I will not do this because I don’t want to.
What are you a toddler? Accept the consequences of your actions and don’t whinge so loudly, I’m trying to think of ways to infringe on your rights.

What are you a toddler? Accept the consequences of your actions and don’t whinge so loudly, I’m trying to think of ways to infringe on your rights

I am accepting the consequences of my actions, I increased my income and can pay the tax and drive what I want. I will vote against anyone who raises my taxes regardless of their party. You are already in the crowd that wants to infringe on my rights and good luck in the long run with that one. Live free and leave a big carbon footprint.

Kiss my ass

I think this should be MNspeak’s tagline.

I’m lucky I work only four miles from my home.

so, why don’t you get rid of your pickup and purchase a Huffy?

as someone who doesn’t (and won’t) own a vehicle, i find it pretty gross that you drive 4 miles to work each day. what is that, like, 30 city blocks or something?

Would you say that to Legless Linda? just wondering.

that’s a good one, mazasapa. you can’t hear it, but i’m chuckling. at you.

More like Fingerless Linda. Since when did people reallty start bikering in Miinesota? Jesus for lack of spell checking.

actually california paid for my education, at least the primary part.

and *I* paid for my college education, which I am still paying now and will be for quite a while. So thanks for nothing, Dennis.

Did you have a job in college, Wayne?

Do you really, honestly believe that the cost of your college education was covered by the tuition you paid? What you paid is a small percentage of the cost of your education. The rest of the cost was subsidized, either by the school directly or by the taxpayers indirectly.

Not mine, I went to private school.