Yes, it says "HEMI"!. Bring on the gravel!
Posted on 07/17/2010 5:59:50 AM PDT by reaganaut1
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Paved roads, historical emblems of American achievement, are being torn up across rural America and replaced with gravel or other rough surfaces as counties struggle with tight budgets and dwindling state and federal revenue. State money for local roads was cut in many places amid budget shortfalls.
In Michigan, at least 38 of the 83 counties have converted some asphalt roads to gravel in recent years. Last year, South Dakota turned at least 100 miles of asphalt road surfaces to gravel. Counties in Alabama and Pennsylvania have begun downgrading asphalt roads to cheaper chip-and-seal road, also known as "poor man's pavement." Some counties in Ohio are simply letting roads erode to gravel.
The moves have angered some residents because of the choking dust and windshield-cracking stones that gravel roads can kick up, not to mention the jarring "washboard" effect of driving on rutted gravel.
But higher taxes for road maintenance are equally unpopular. In June, Stutsman County residents rejected a measure that would have generated more money for roads by increasing property and sales taxes.
"I'd rather my kids drive on a gravel road than stick them with a big tax bill," said Bob Baumann, as he sipped a bottle of Coors Light at the Sportsman's Bar Café and Gas in Spiritwood.
Rebuilding an asphalt road today is particularly expensive because the price of asphalt cement, a petroleum-based material mixed with rocks to make asphalt, has more than doubled over the past 10 years. Gravel becomes a cheaper option once an asphalt road has been neglected for so long that major rehabilitation is necessary.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Is one legitimately called a “servant” when his lifestyle includes benefits and income which far exceeds his “master.”
Exactly who is serving whom.
It's pretty obvious...we in the private sector are the slaves to the elite, entitled, pampered, protected public sector non profit government class.
"I'd rather my kids drive on a gravel road than stick them with a big tax bill," said Bob Baumann, as he sipped a bottle of Coors Light at the Sportsman's Bar Café and Gas in Spiritwood.
Chipped windshields are another good reason to revive passenger rail service from our rural communities to the larger cities that still have paved streets.
When was the last time you bought a bike? They have shock absorbers now.
I can see it now, "The federal govt. has announce a new program by BHO. We will now pay up to $100 to refit every bike with shock absorbers. This $200 million dollar program will create at least 12 new jobs."
That line is straight out of "Atlas Shrugged" - sounds like Ma Chalmers and her soybeans getting government subsidized rail service while Minnesota's wheat rots in the granaries. LaHood exemplifies today's Republican - a go-along-to-get-along statist who can never quite surrender enough to earn the trust he craves from his masters.
Second, I'll bet that of course money from gas taxes that could have paid for road repair and maintenance was siphoned off for other purposes, and on top of that, spending for social services probably went up as well.
Considering the amount of traction a bicycle tire has on gravel, I hope that they also have side air bags!
Sounds like the next the local governments have figured people care about—like school bands and sports and library hours—so of course they’ve got to cut back on them in order to maximize their ridiculous union employee pension schemes.
So much of what is in Atlas Shrugged is now evident that I refer to Ayn Rand as a prophetess, not a philosopher. Of course, she had seen it all first hand as a child.
I will also use a motorized BIKE furnished by my hosts! I didn't want to drive a car and risk collision! New cars means new drivers!!!!!!!!
Chattanooga's big on sweetheart real estate deals, homeless shelters, catering to the freeloaders, and adding bicycle lanes. Not so big on breaking up gangs, educating the kids, and paying the maintenance workers though. I would say that they have some huge prioritization issues.
That's why you'll have to buy a hybrid bike. Yes, there are such things. They are a cross between a road and an off-road bike. Fatter tires and marginally more comfortable than the a road bike. Good for mild off-roading but gotta keep pedaling on pavement because of the fatter tires.
Hey, it'll keep us in shape.
I'd much prefer that to the pot hole infested thoroughfare in front of my place.
The problem is, the enviros have declared war on the “oil” part, and are claiming that the petroleum derivative product are poisoning babies or something.
>>Reminds me of “Atlas Shrugged” when everything started going into disrepair.<<
Me too, but it may just be starting. Check this out:
http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse
Remember all the "Homeland Security" bucks that were being passed out a while back? A wholebunchalotta counties and municipalities here in WV just had to have big, expensive Haz-Mat rigs............then came the bills for maintenance.....
...as counties struggle with tight budgets and dwindling state and federal revenue. State money for local roads was cut in many places amid budget shortfalls.Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, et al.
Bingo.
Letting our transportation infrastructure erode is a very bad idea.
It has many knock-on effects, from driving businesses and other investors away to degradation of emergency services, and it reduces the tourist trade. I have seen delivery services refuse to deliver to an address because of the state of unpaved roads.
But this must delight the Kenyan Clown, who is determined to see our country destroyed.
Yes, it says "HEMI"!. Bring on the gravel!
Unfortunately, Bob, your kids will not only be driving on a gravel road, but will be stuck with a huge tax bill as well. The downside of electing democRATS and RINOs.
Uh oh, now you've done it. Your comment is going to seriously piss off the "big windshield" lobbyists.....
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