American Water Works is for sale - again

Eco-logic Powerhouse ^ | May 15, 2006 | Joyce Morrison

[1rudeboy]

So we get to keep the road, their equipment, and their money? Cool. How soon before the Aussies and the Spaniards declare war?

[Toddsterpatriot]

No, but in a war time scenario, they could certainly forbid the passage of US military vehicles on the road, if they wanted to.

My theory was correct. You are truly insane.

[1rudeboy]

Let's just say that it's not the strongest argument against leasing a road to a private company. I can't believe it even gets repeated.

[Mase]

Think of it, if you owned the water for Chicago and some little downstate town, which one would you spend money on to fix up and maintain?

"On April fifth, a water-system Legislation bill passed both Houses in Illinois. This Legislation will help Champaign, Urbana, Pekin, and other Illinois towns acquire their local water systems, by the use of eminent domain, without having to go through the Illinois Commerce Commission."

Looks like dissatisfied consumers don't have to be the victims of the big, bad monopolies.

[Mase]

Our children are told they are "global citizens," and we are responsible for the global environment, global economy, and global equity. Finally, we discover we are no longer a sovereign nation, as we ride the slippery slope to globalism.

We find ourselves facing an oil crisis, because of our dependency on foreign nations. There is an obvious effort to push farmers off the land, and import our food from foreign countries. Will we find ourselves facing the same situation with our water?

Are you now writing the articles you post? This nonsense is your kind of crazy.

[redgolum]

Glad to hear it. But I have seen it back fire also. A lot depends on the long term goals of the share holders.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Let's just say that it's not the strongest argument against leasing a road to a private company.

You can't trust those sneaky Australians. I read on newspundit.net that they're buying land mines from the Chinese. To bury under the roads they buy. If you don't pay your toll.....Kablooey!!

They'll just set 'em all off at once, when we declare war on Australia. Boy will we be sorry!

[Toddsterpatriot]

Let's just say that it's not the strongest argument against leasing a road to a private company.

These are the same people who say they can't wait until the greedy American get their Chinese factories nationalized by the Commies.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

"Looks like dissatisfied consumers don't have to be the victims of the big, bad monopolies."
Fill me in about this situation a bit, will ya? Were the consumers really dissatisfied, or did the local governments just want the profits back? The water business is incredibly highly regulated. The required testing and standards from both the EPA and the state Utilities Commissions are very stringent. What were the problems these customers were having?

[1rudeboy]

Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way

[1rudeboy]

I've been drivin' all night, my hands wet on the wheel
There's a voice in my head that drives my heel

[1rudeboy]

Now just the other night with nothin' to do
We broke a case of proof 102
And started itchin' for that wonderful feel
Of rollin' in an automobile

[P8riot]

and U.S. Mayors are saying: "We want control of our own water."

I understand completely, that's why I went over 450 ft straight down through two layers of coal (and other deposits). It is the sweetest water you've ever tasted, and it'd be free if I didn't have to pay to pump it.

[FreedomPoster]

>>No, but in a war time scenario, they could certainly forbid the passage of US military vehicles on the road, if they wanted to.No, but in a war time scenario, they could certainly forbid the passage of US military vehicles on the road, if they wanted to.

You're kidding, right?

You need to get some new material.

[Toddsterpatriot]

You need to get some new material.

She got that straight from the OAS. Or the CFR? I get all those groups confused.

[Toddsterpatriot]

All time greatest driving song!

[FreedomPoster]

Works for me. It's certainly on the custom driving songs CD in the Boxster.

[NZerFromHK]

This thread has been hijacked by many Green Party supporters, if their mates in NZ are the guides to judge by:

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http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/other7718.html

...

Action

* Send Parliament a Message – No More Sell Off and Sell Out of New Zealand!

Here's how:

o Get copies of the Green petition (from your nearest Green office or the Parliamentary office after August 1) and collect signatures.

o Contact your electorate MP and nearest list MPs urgently and register your opposition to the weakening of the current overseas investment law and regulations.

o Write to your local paper. Call talkback. What to say:

1. Argue for strengthening the controls over foreign investment, the conditions that are placed on it, and the monitoring that should follow;
2. Advocate strongly for tighter control on overseas ownership of land and fisheries.

o Become informed. Check Green's Campaign page regularly. Join the Campaign Against Foreign Control in Aotearoa (CAFCA) and gain access to a wealth of information and analysis that you will not find in your local newspaper. Membership is $20 per year (or $15 unwaged). Payments to CAFCA, Box 2258, Christchurch. Visit the CAFCA site for articles and leaflets on the subject.

N.B. The Government plans to introduce legislation by September, so it is critical to act now.

...

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[1rudeboy]

I like the ZZ Top, and the Little Feat below:

I've been from Tuscon to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me: weed, whites, and wine
and you show me a sign
I'll be willin', to be movin'

[Mase]

Fill me in about this situation a bit, will ya? Were the consumers really dissatisfied

Unfortunately, I don't know the details. I was just responding to another poster who suggested that consumers have no options when dealing with sole suppliers of products or services. Politicians will react to consumer dissatisfaction if it exists. Most companies are cognizant of this fact and will provide the necessary service. I am often aggravated by folks here who think a monopoly, or an oligopoly, automatically means there's no competition, consumers get screwed and have no recourse.

I don't know what motivated local government to do what they did. After reading the article I'd be skeptical of anything the author says. I'm also skeptical of the motivations of these local governments. I would very much like to hear the other side of the story.