Posted on 09/23/2006 1:52:02 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
As the former executive director of North Americas Super Corridor Coalition (NASCO), I want to provide a much more accurate description of Interstate 35 and North Americas Super Corridor Coalition (NASCO) compared to statements made during a recent congressional campaign news conference. (Proposed NAFTA superhighway a threat to Kansans , Journal-World, Aug. 12)
First, there is no NASCO plan to build a 10-lane superhighway through Kansas or the rest of the Midwest. There is no conspiracy to grab Kansans property to provide the right of way for such a project. NASCO is a small, non-profit 501(c) (6) organization with members in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The state of Texas is working on plans for a Trans-Texas Corridor that would parallel I-35, but anyone who has tried to drive in Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth knows why Texans are considering this mega-project: Its called total traffic congestion. There are simply too many vehicles on outdated highway facilities.
It slows not only commercial traffic and hurts just in time delivery, which is critical in our economy, but its also unsafe for the traveling public and our environment. Just think of all those vehicles idling and spewing pollutants when a 20-minute trip becomes a two-hour odyssey. And while we are seeing this happen now in Texas, you better believe that eventually it will also happen in Kansas City and Wichita.
Second, NASCO or any other public/private organization has no power to decide what transportation improvements are funded. Those decisions are made by the respective state departments of transportation, and are funded in large part by the federal government. If you ask department of transportation leaders in Kansas or other states along the I-35 corridor, you will find that states are having a hard enough time paying for maintenance of their highway systems. Kansas is not a member of NASCO; I know this because I tried to get the state to join in 2002, and was politely told no.
Third, consider the sources on the Internet that started this rumor of a North American Union and the gradual disintegration of U.S. national independence. WorldNet Daily and Amerikan Expose arent exactly the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek. Conspiracy theorists need to have their so-called proof examined thoroughly before their assertions are accepted as truth.
Groups like NASCO are looking for innovative ways to enhance economic development through transportation improvements, technological advancements and perhaps most importantly, international understanding and cooperation.
It is real simple. What is your alternative.
BTTT
"You all, IMO, look silly in your knee jerk opposition and quest for the conpiracy theory of the day".
As opposed to looking silly everytime you post?
We had a referendum and the voters rejected pay-as-you-go. Those that wanted free roads lost. Those that have to pay for the free roads won. You can hire all the facilatators and stakeholders you want, that is not going to change.
The state can borrow the money and build the road, but they have to repay the loan. The taxpayer will not tolerate a tax increase, gas, income, or otherwise, to repay the loan. Thus, the state built/operated road will be a toll road, except that it will be a higher toll that the proposal on the table.
10 lanes? Sounds good to me.
Who cares about the farmers. So they would lose what, 10 feet of field?
Well darn, I guess since bad people can use those roads, we better tear them up!
STOP PROGRESS! THOSE EVIL MEXICANS TRYING TO LEAVE THEIR HELLISH LIVES MAY USE OUR ROADS!
Actually, if you have a problem with something, you propose an alternative. NOW.
Not 10 years from now.
If you don't, it is your fault if you lose.
They could lose a lot more than that. Some farms could be split by this thing, with no immediate access from one side to the other.
bump.
Man I hope you get paid for your efforts.
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