American Water Works is for sale - again

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

[RS]

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

Surely you're not serious ...


"When the federal or state governments build and maintain the roads, passage is free for anyone and everyone."

Tell that to the toll booth operator next time you're on the Jersey or Florida Turnpikes.

[hedgetrimmer]

Here is what EO 12803 says:

“infrastructure asset” means any asset financed in whole or in part by the Federal Government and needed for the functioning of the economy.

Quite a few posters here would allow Australia, Spain, China, whoever, authority to purchase and hold for their own profit tax payer funded properties needed for our economy to function. Since we are engaged in an open ended War on Terror, this seems a bit foolish, doen't it? Notice that an executive order was issued rather than legislation proposed in Congress, cutting out the ability of the people to respond to this action before it was taken. I would like to know who actually wrote the EO.

[1rudeboy]

You are confusing "purchase" with "lease" again, at least in regard to toll roads.

[hedgetrimmer]

Funny, you forgot to mention what options CITIZENS have when dealing with Foreign governments who own our domestic infrastructure needed for the functioning of OUR economy.

Politicians reacting to consumers? Your notion of the American system of government is passing strange.

[RS]

" ... what options CITIZENS have when dealing with Foreign governments who own our domestic infrastructure needed for the functioning of OUR economy. "

Not sure what you're saying here -

Do you beleive that just because the owners of a compnay are foreign, they don't have to follow the same laws here that any other company has to ?

[1rudeboy]

Do you beleive that just because the owners of a compnay are foreign, they don't have to follow the same laws here that any other company has to?

That goes without saying. Every tinfoiler understands the above by instinct. Your typical isolationist simply believes that foreigners neglect their assets as a matter of course. That new $400M Honda plant being built in the Midwest? It will be operated/neglected just like a Soviet bicycle factory, just watch.

[hedgetrimmer]

The Honda plant is not needed for for the functioning of the economy.

Why don't you cut out the name calling, rick.

[Mase]

Politicians reacting to consumers? Your notion of the American system of government is passing strange.

I've asked you this question before but you've never responded. Can you name one American CITIZEN who is not also a consumer?

[1rudeboy]

Go ahead and hit 'Abuse' if you find any of my comments objectionable. Be my guest.

So how with the Spaniards/Aussies "protect" the toll road they are leasing? Artillery emplacements? Attack jets? Will I require a passport to travel on one? How about the tolls, will I be able to pay in U.S. currency? If not, will currency exchanges be constructed? If I get a ticket, will I have to fly overseas to Traffic Court? Lots more questions.

[Mase]

Why don't you cut out the name calling, rick.

Rick?

Since you seem overly concerned about personal information, can you tell us if you wrote the article this thread is about? Are you Joyce Morrison?

Freedom or Sustainable Development? It sure sounds like you.

[1rudeboy]

Can you name one American CITIZEN who is not also a consumer?

That is a fascinating question. One cannot lose their U.S. citizenship by dying, and presumably someone buried at sea is no longer a consumer, unless a grave-marker or some other memorial is erected on land, in which case the deceased is "consuming" the space where it is located. None of the above prevents anyone from participating in the political process in heavily Democrat-leaning areas.

[1rudeboy]

You could also be an expatriate living at an overseas commune growing your own food, making your own clothes, paying no U.S. taxes, etc. But you'd have to have no contact with the U.S. whatsoever, not even a call to Mom on Mother's Day, etc.

[herkbird]

It's real interesting when a foreign company, even one in Canada, buys an American company that is working on top secret black military programs. The owners of the company have no idea what they are building. No control on what money is being spent, the government says damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead while the new owner sit out of the loop scratching their butts. Only when the program is declassified and the government makes a fixed base payment do they know if they are making money on such project. Most foreign companies learn quickly that this is a company to avoid until the black programs are all completed. It can make a really smart company look very stupid real quick, and cost many people their jobs for recommending their company owners to purchase said company. The people who worked on the Black project just laughed at all the big wheels among the new owners who were dying to know what was going on in these black rooms.
I worked just outside the door of a Black project, and when they tell these people to not talk, they sure as hell mean it. They install many black curtains to limit any kind of looking into the room. The security is very tight. I remember getting kicked out of one documentation room where I was making documentation for my equipment. I had to use an alternate declassified document room or have people who did the documents, make all my equipment documents I would need to maintain my equipment once it was moved out into the field at its' own facility.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Mase, gotcha. I think I'd rather have a private company run lots of stuff rather tha the government!
"automatically means there's no competition, consumers get screwed and have no recourse."
That's why there are Public Utilities Councils, and Consumer protection agencies. I've had to deal with these various agencies for 25 years, and, believe me, they can be really tough. I am somewhat skeptcal of local governments taking over from private industry. It means more government expenditures, bureaucracy, and more taxpayer expense for service that may not be as good.

[1rudeboy]

I am somewhat skept[i]cal of local governments taking over from private industry. It means more government expenditures, bureaucracy, and more taxpayer expense for service that may not be as good.

Traitor. [smirk]

[Mase]

Good point. I should have qualified citizen as a one who is still breathing.

None of the above prevents anyone from participating in the political process in heavily Democrat-leaning areas.

We experienced this same phenomenon on a regular basis in Baltimore. I think it provided the inspiration for several George Romero flicks.

[hedgetrimmer]

I can name many illegal alien CONSUMERS who are not CITIZENS.

[Stonewall Jackson]

You get more money if you get the electric company as well.

[hedgetrimmer]

who suggested that consumers have no options when dealing with sole suppliers of products or services.

Sorry, those are your words, you're responding to your own statement, LOL

[hedgetrimmer]

Go ahead and hit 'Abuse' if you find any of my comments objectionable

Is that what you would do?