Foreign Control of U.S. Interstates Encouraged By Feds

American Chronicle ^ | June 29, 2006 | Diane M. Grassi

[1rudeboy]

Can you imagine the howls when people learn that toll collectors are literally being automated out of existence?

[Doohickey]

Okay, I got you. Point taken - you're right.

[Calpernia]

I had you both in my post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1659631/posts?page=96#96 ping. But the post dropped it.

[A. Pole]

Since you're going to stick with that; my community's library is usually quite busy, actually.

I am glad to hear that.

[Paladin2]

Maybe it's IL I wuz thinking about:

(Wikipedia)

"Several agencies offer discounted tolls to E-ZPass customers. The details vary widely, and can include general discounts for all E-ZPass users, variable pricing discounts for off-peak hours, commuter plans with minimum usage levels, flat rate plans offering unlimited use for a period of time, carpool plans for high-occupancy vehicles, and resident plans for those living near particular toll facilities. Many of these plans are only available to customers whose tags are issued by the agency that owns the toll facility in question. (Reciprocity only applies to tag acceptance, not to discounts.) The three New England turnpike authorities (Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire) restrict even their general discounts to their own respective tagholders."

Don't even get me started on the (OR) proposals to monitor road use and tax based on the gubernment's databases of zactly what you've been up to lately (or ever).

[Freedom4US]

Those highways were built with taxes collected for decades from the American people. As such they belong to same, just as a National Forest or monument or the Lincoln Memorial. When do we vote on this again?

[Paladin2]

The roads aren't free, I already paid for them and am not wanting to pay again. Do I think I own the road? Yep! Socialism at its best. ;-)

[Doohickey]

For the second time on this post I'm going to admit that I was wrong. I thought that since you posted the story that you might want to discuss it as well. I was wrong. Mea culpa.

[1rudeboy]

So who pays for maintenance and expansion?

[Paladin2]

Gee, seems like that was figured out in the 50's.

[1rudeboy]

And you are only getting around to learning it now? What's up with that?

[processing please hold]

While doing a few searches I even saw EZ Pass was a partner of Verichip. Cintra is too.

Thanks, Calpernia. Verichip, the wave of the New World Order future. Damn.....

[Paladin2]

What's your point again? Sell all the US roads to Spain?

[hedgetrimmer]

Those highways were built with taxes collected for decades from the American people. As such they belong to same

Robbers don't let you vote before they steal from you.

Our only hope now is that the American people will vote every one of these dastards out of office, and start participating in their own government again.

[1rudeboy]

I was responding to your comment, Free Parking and Freeways are what made America great." [emphasis in original]

So let me ask you again, if they are free why is Cintra-Zachary paying $1.2B upfront to design, develop, and operate?

[Paladin2]

Having the marginal cost at or near zero ("free") IS what has made America great. It's a return on investment to the taxpayer, one of the few measurable benefits of government beyond national defence and (lack of) border control (Knew I could eventually work that in ;-)).

[Calpernia]

>>>Robbers don't let you vote before they steal from you.

>>>Our only hope now is that the American people will vote every one of these dastards out of office...

Paradox?

[Toddsterpatriot]

The skill set required for a toll collector is about the same as the skill set for a cashier at Wal-Mart or Safeway.

Come on, making change is hard. Especially for protectionists.

[xjcsa]

What "free market"?

The one where the employees can choose to work for the company, or not. Freely.

[Jonathan E]

I do not think that in the maintenance budget the cost of the material is the problem. I believe that there is not enough money,presently, available to pay salaries, benefits, retirement of government workers. Selling of the highways is, possibly only the beginning. Lets sell of National Parks, Forests, etc. Doesn't it seem strange that corporate America goes off shore to to save money as not to have to deal with overly regulated bureaucracies, and the bureaucracies sell off public assets to foreigners in order to get funds that they cant get fast enough from taxing the citizens, or God forbid reduce the cost of government by reducing those bureaucracies?