Indiana Democrats Running As Conservatives

wcpo news ^ | 10/21/2006 1:20:31 PM | A.P.

[Paleo Conservative]

Private Companies?

What's wrong with having private companies build and run roads faster and at lower cost than the state government can?

[stockstrader]

Yes.

[do the dhue]

I don't see much of a center. I see a nation polarized. I see the commie liberals on the left and the God fearin' Americans on the Right. I think there are some in the middle, but they don't like either Dems or repubs. I think mostly the Repubs could win them by bringing smaller Government and the like and they could win a lot of the Independents.

I really don't run into those who are open border Republicans, or gun control Republicans, or baby killin' Republicans. There sure as heck very well may be some, but I don't see them. Just how big is our 'center'? 10 percent? fifteen?

[do the dhue]

Nothing, but what is wrong with those companies being Domestic so the money stays in our country?

[do the dhue]

So, these companies out bid everybody or something? How did they get a 75 year contract?

[diesel00]

10-15% is a huge difference when elections are so polarized. Essentially in the last decade, national elections have been decided on very small margins. What I mean about the center is that we can't afford to lose that 10-15% which seem inconsequential, but like last night, bites us in the arse.

[Paleo Conservative]

Nothing, but what is wrong with those companies being Domestic so the money stays in our country?

Cintra has lots of experience with designing and operating toll roads. That's why they are building the Trans-Texas Corridor in partnership with Zachry.

[do the dhue]

As a Paleo Conservative, I would think you would be against having a foreign company owning a US Toll Road.

[do the dhue]

OK. I see exactly what you are saying. I do think that if the Repubs would spend less and cut pork barrel spending then a lot of those folks in the middle would vote Republican.

[old republic]

Do you think that the new and allegedly more socially conservative democrats will support the ultra-liberal candidates for the speakership and chairman posts or do you suppose that there will be some surprise compromise candidates?

[linn37]

Its also how Warner won in Virginia.

[do the dhue]

I just noticed that I have to change my tag.

[do the dhue]

Are you from Virginia?

If so, how do you think Warner will vote on a gun bill or gay marriage?

[Lancey Howard]

But will they actually vote that way once they're in Congress?

No. These alleged "conservative" Democrats are just like nearly every other Democrat across the country - - they are brazen, shameless liars. One by one they'll expose themselves. But they are a sneaky crowd....

The way the game is played, they will be allowed to vote "conservative" when their votes don't matter, but when some liberal legislation is close they'll come home to San Fransicko with their tails between their legs.

[RockinRight]

The loss of manufacturing jobs in the Midwest--is threatening to turn the whole Midwest BLUE.

Because you know how well the already blue state of Michigan is doing.

[do the dhue]

The way the game is played, they will be allowed to vote "conservative" when their votes don't matter, but when some liberal legislation is close they'll come home to San Fransicko with their tails between their legs.

I can see that happening. If they do, I hope the folks make 'em pay.

[stockstrader]

It's ridiculous to SELL it to a foreign company.

I agree that letting private industry maintain and run it is a good idea--IF the leases are 'short-term' (less than 5 years) where competitive bidding can once again enter the equation--along with analysis of how well the privatization is working.

But to SELL it was outrageous--and most Hoosiers agree.

[stockstrader]

The 75 year lease is the 'equivalent' of SELLING it.

Again, no one has a problem with running it more efficiently (as private industry obviously would do),,,,but to find a FOREIGN company,,,,and to allow for NO competitive rebidding,,,,or performance evaluation,,,or fee limits (although I'm assuming there WERE toll caps put it, but if they were, they got little publicity),,,is just not a prudent thing to do. Far from it.

[do the dhue]

I am with you 100%. I am surprised that ALL Hoosiers don't agree.

[stockstrader]

Well, that gets back to the discrepancy between northern and sounthern Indiana again.

The Toll Road is up in far north Indiana--basically used by cross country trucks/travelers,,,,AND PEOPLE IN NORTHERN INDIANA. The revenues from the 75 year lease (3+ billion dollars) will be used for transportation projects in the entire state.

SOOOOOOOO,,,,the people in Northern IN pay the vast majority of the tolls that are paid by Hoosiers--while only getting a slice of the road funds.

It's no wonder that many down state think it is a WONDERFUL idea....lol They pay virtually NONE of the tolls---but get a disproportionate slice of the pie.