Posted on 11/19/2005 9:27:34 AM PST by arnoldpalmerfan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Will Adams
November 18, 2005 202.226.6997
Tancredo Blasts Colorado’s ‘Bridge for Nobody’
Tancredo Says Animal Bridge Shows Democrats’ Hypocrisy on Budget Rhetoric
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) blasted Colorado’s “vegetated wildlife overpass” as an egregious example of the Democrats’ pork-barrel spending. The $500,000 down payment on the nearly $5 million overpass, which was approved as part of the Transportation Appropriations bill today, will, apparently, serve animals who want to cross over I-70 near Vail.
“We’ve all heard of the ‘bridge to nowhere’ that was stripped from the transportation bill today. At least that bridge would have served humans—albeit only a few of them—but this is a bridge for nobody,” said Tancredo. “I wonder how the animals will know that they’re supposed to cross at this one bridge. Will there be bright arrows pointing the way? Or will we hire Dr. Doolittle to translate directions into Bear and Deer language?” Tancredo continued, “In all seriousness, this is yet another Congressional project that wastes the taxpayers’ dollars when we are recovering from several hurricanes, fighting a war and paying for ballooning mandatory programs.”
Despite the pork project, Rep. Mark Udall, who pushed for the bridge, has talked tough on the budget. In September, he proposed a substitute for the line-item veto, dubbed the “Stimulating Leadership In Cutting Expenditures” (SLICE) Act. About the SLICE Act, Udall said, “I think there’s an urgent need for both the Bush administration and Congress to face hard reality and not continue with budget policies based on defying the laws of fiscal gravity…It is past time for a serious debate about specific proposals for ways to dig ourselves out of the deficit hole.”
“So Udall wants a specific proposal on how to cut the budget deficit? He should SLICE his animal bridge, so we can use the money for Colorado’s critical infrastructure projects, not a critter carrier. I respect Rep. Udall’s commitment to the environment, but not with this type of project,” said Tancredo. “Democrats whine about budget deficits, yet they obstruct government cuts and continue to spend like it’s going out of style.” Udall voted against the House’s reconciliation package last night.
“Added problems to consider are potential improvements to I-70 that are currently being contemplated by CDOT. If those improvements include widening the interstate after the ‘Bridge for Nobody’ is constructed, taxpayers would then be forced to shoulder the cost of demolishing the animal overpass that they just paid to construct,” Tancredo concluded.
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NOTE: Picture of a similar bridge is attached to this message.
Ping.
At least it's just a small overpass. Here in WA state the moonbats want to make much of I-90 an overpass so the wildlife can cross underneath. Billions of dollars to be wasted.
One, if something is needed, a tunnel would be better than a bridge.
Two, we already have a bridge to nowhere. Ex-rep Schroeder got us one over I-225. Been there for years.
I didn't know about that one. LOL
I guess we should also add things like the four lane highway that Senator Kerr of Oklahoma had built years ago. In the 60's I think. He had it built to the front door of his home so he wouldn't have to have his driver driving on a two lane, I guess.
And here I thought Alaska was the only state receiving pork.
Tancredo/Coburn 2008!
Will some people please get behind this man and foist him up as W's successor?
It may not happen, but he is the real deal.
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