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Highway Robbery in Texas! -Literally
vanity ^ | October 13th, 2004 | illumini

Posted on 10/13/2004 9:12:17 AM PDT by illumini

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To: Mr. Quarterpanel
If you want to toll new roads, that is one thing, but to convert existing roads to toll is just wrong.

I don't think that is what we are talking about in Austin. The state has committed "to not toll any road that already has cars driving on it". It seems that the frustration is that some of the roads that are being considered for tolling have already begun construction. The toll authority has agreed to accelerate completion by using tolling as funding. You get the road 3-5 years earlier, but must pay a toll for it.

In my personal opinion, we need the roads now, and I'm willing to pay the toll to get them. Others will disagree, and it is up to the individual to place a value on his/her time.
41 posted on 10/13/2004 11:13:31 AM PDT by Deek
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To: MAWG
Are you really a conservative? Cause you don't sound like one.

This reminds me of the quote: "The only difference between liberals and conservatives is that liberals want free health care, and conservatives want free roads."

I can't imagine anything more conservative than demanding that you only pay for the roads that you use. Like it or not, the current highway system is socialized.
42 posted on 10/13/2004 11:18:31 AM PDT by Deek
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To: Arrowhead1952

Could you hit your TX ping list for this?


43 posted on 10/13/2004 11:18:36 AM PDT by BJClinton (We need a President who will stand up to the trial lawyers in Washington, not put one on the ticket.)
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To: Mr. Quarterpanel

"Last I checked, state taxes collected do not go the federal government, or any other state."


Get your facts straight...you need to check harder. 25% of our gas tax leaves our state and is used elsewhere...look it up.


44 posted on 10/13/2004 11:20:11 AM PDT by Swankette
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To: MAWG

Are you educated and interested in debating issues or are you just here to post emotional outbursts about how your precious Austin "changed" and you were forced to move....


45 posted on 10/13/2004 11:22:14 AM PDT by Swankette
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To: BJClinton; maeng; ValerieUSA; txflake; WinOne4TheGipper; DrewsDad; HiJinx; MeekOneGOP; Gracey; ...
Could you hit your TX ping list for this?

MeekOneGOP, do you have the entire Tx ping list for this?

46 posted on 10/13/2004 11:23:24 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Anyone who votes for the john / john ticket is crazy.)
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To: MAWG

Are you educated and interested in debating issues or are you just here to post emotional outbursts about how your precious Austin "changed" and you were forced to move....


47 posted on 10/13/2004 11:23:52 AM PDT by Swankette
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To: Swankette

Check your facts, opinions are great, but facts have more weight.


48 posted on 10/13/2004 11:27:22 AM PDT by Jarhead1957 (Turned off Fox)
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To: Deek
Sounds like a quote of convenience. Never heard it before. And my question wasnt addressed to you. Liberals typically butt in where they arent asked or invited. They so believe that their opinion is the only one that matters.

Answer the question Swankette.

49 posted on 10/13/2004 11:27:38 AM PDT by MAWG
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To: DrewsDad; illumini

Yeah, they put as much effort into slamming Perry rather than the local council members that supported this. Do we even have a breakdown of the vote? All I know is Slusher opposed it.


50 posted on 10/13/2004 11:28:47 AM PDT by BJClinton (We need a President who will stand up to the trial lawyers in Washington, not put one on the ticket.)
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To: MAWG

No not a liberal at all. Just interested in the facts- not emotion.


51 posted on 10/13/2004 11:30:06 AM PDT by Swankette
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To: Deek

>>>
This reminds me of the quote: "The only difference between liberals and conservatives is that liberals want free health care, and conservatives want free roads."
<<<

That "free" healthcare (Medicaid etc.) soaks up about 25 percent of a state's budget, "free" education soaks up about 40 percent (and 75 percent of your property tax). Therefore, it would be far easier on the taxpayer to make health and education pay-for-what-you-use and leave the roads "free".


52 posted on 10/13/2004 11:30:32 AM PDT by evilC (This space left intentionally blank)
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To: Deek

The metaphor is not that this is the military, it is more analagous to aircraft carriers. And the military deals with aquiring one in the way I have proposed. They forecast the price and the upkeep, then ask for the money. When they get it they build it.

The cost of a road plus the upkeep can be a known quantity with a high level of certainty.

Maintenance upkeep is a highly forecastable expense. We have the departments to prove it. So why collect millions more than the known expenses of building and maintaining the road? A toll doesn't stop collecting when those expenses are met. Overages go to build more toll roads, which go on collecting. Can you see the problem here? There is nothing in CAMPO that shuts off the spigot. Why have that money sitting there waiting for fraud? Idle dollars are the devils playthings. CAMPO has already spent $700,000 more than they were given just to set up administrative offices.

I am opposed to the gas tax for the same reasons. Let's urge our government to draw a straight transparent line between gathered taxes and expenditures. No more of these taxes designed to regulate indivdual behavior. Such as use drive more fuel effiecient vehicles or control traffic or get people to use buses or light rail.

It is not insane to think the government could buy roads for us the same way we make major purchases such as a house. We had to get approval and buy off buy a number of stakeholders (the buiilder, the bank, our wives parents children and friends) and convince them we would be able to pay and upkeep the house. The process is known and scalable. If I went to those people and proposed building my house by collecting a $1 from everyone who entered and left the house I would be laughed out of the building.

In the same manner our local and state government should have to come to us the voters with a plan to build a road, the costs and rational and get us to buy off with a yes vote on the bond. Else they go back to the drawing board. CAMPO removes that review. They plow on with their mandate, build roads, regardless as to whether we want them or not. When we want to hold them accountable they will point to local governments who created them. Those officials will point to CAMPO. Sound familiar? It should because it has already started!

-- lates
-- jrawk


53 posted on 10/13/2004 11:30:57 AM PDT by jrawk (trust but verify)
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To: austinTparty
Ha! So you thought no one would ever find our your middle name?

LOL

:>)

54 posted on 10/13/2004 11:31:28 AM PDT by Syncro
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To: Deek

The metaphor is not that this is the military, it is more analagous to aircraft carriers. And the military deals with aquiring one in the way I have proposed. They forecast the price and the upkeep, then ask for the money. When they get it they build it.

The cost of a road plus the upkeep can be a known quantity with a high level of certainty.

Maintenance upkeep is a highly forecastable expense. We have the departments to prove it. So why collect millions more than the known expenses of building and maintaining the road? A toll doesn't stop collecting when those expenses are met. Overages go to build more toll roads, which go on collecting. Can you see the problem here? There is nothing in CAMPO that shuts off the spigot. Why have that money sitting there waiting for fraud? Idle dollars are the devils playthings. CAMPO has already spent $700,000 more than they were given just to set up administrative offices.

I am opposed to the gas tax for the same reasons. Let's urge our government to draw a straight transparent line between gathered taxes and expenditures. No more of these taxes designed to regulate indivdual behavior. Such as use drive more fuel effiecient vehicles or control traffic or get people to use buses or light rail.

It is not insane to think the government could buy roads for us the same way we make major purchases such as a house. We had to get approval and buy off buy a number of stakeholders (the buiilder, the bank, our wives parents children and friends) and convince them we would be able to pay and upkeep the house. The process is known and scalable. If I went to those people and proposed building my house by collecting a $1 from everyone who entered and left the house I would be laughed out of the building.

In the same manner our local and state government should have to come to us the voters with a plan to build a road, the costs and rational and get us to buy off with a yes vote on the bond. Else they go back to the drawing board. CAMPO removes that review. They plow on with their mandate, build roads, regardless as to whether we want them or not. When we want to hold them accountable they will point to local governments who created them. Those officials will point to CAMPO. Sound familiar? It should because it has already started!

-- lates
-- jrawk


55 posted on 10/13/2004 11:31:59 AM PDT by jrawk (trust but verify)
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To: Gracey; basil; MeekOneGOP

Ping


56 posted on 10/13/2004 11:32:16 AM PDT by Fiddlstix (This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: planekT
On this map, 130 and 45 are new roads to be paid for by tolls. I have no problem with that. All the other roads highlighted I have already paif for as a resident of central TX for over 30 years. I have a big problem with that.


57 posted on 10/13/2004 11:34:42 AM PDT by BJClinton (We need a President who will stand up to the trial lawyers in Washington, not put one on the ticket.)
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To: Swankette
" Are you educated and interested in debating issuesor are you just here to post emotional outbursts about how your precious Austin " changed " and you were forced to move... "

First , I hold a degree in medieval lit and philosophy. Second, in matters of personal opinion, and what is more personal than politics, debate is pointless. I suggest you read Jims' idea of what this site is all about on the first page. Third, I chose to move.

You still haven't answered the question.

58 posted on 10/13/2004 11:38:03 AM PDT by MAWG
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To: evilC

I agree that it is "easier" to socialize the highway system than it is to socialize health care. That doesn't change the fact that both are socialization.


59 posted on 10/13/2004 11:41:19 AM PDT by Deek
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To: MAWG

I did answer the question- I am not a liberal- I am a conservative who is interested in the facts not so interested in emotion. I find that most liberals are emotional....


60 posted on 10/13/2004 11:44:28 AM PDT by Swankette
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