This really frosts my balls - Page 2

Shawnee123 · 09-28-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Concerns about the economy have overshadowed nearly every other issue in statehouses across the country, but most of the worst-case scenarios for higher education have been averted this year, thanks, in part, to the federal stimulus package. That law includes $40-billion, known as the "state fiscal-stabilization fund," meant specifically to shore up state spending on schools and public colleges

cite 1

Yep, refers to federal monies, to help community colleges in the future. Not related to current state deficits.

cite 2

Yep, state funding issues...temporarily averted by stimulus funds.

cite 3

I see nothing about roads being fixed that didn't need fixed.

skysidhe · 09-28-2009, 01:16 PM

well you can google it as I did and further refute my point that the states are fixing roads that don't need it. If you want.

Shawnee123 · 09-28-2009, 01:21 PM

Refute your opinion that roads are being fixed that don't need it, with cites that show all roads being fixed do indeed need it?

No thanks. Sounds like a fun game, but I don't really have time to do all the legwork.

As you were.

classicman · 09-28-2009, 01:22 PM

One of my best friends is a civil engineer in a very high position with a local state. The roads that need the most fixing are NOT getting fixed for a number of reasons. The least of which is that there never were any "Shovel-Ready" projects. Additionally the money was supposed to be used to STIMULATE the economy. Therefore, it went to the ones the could get to work on the fastest with the least amount of interruption to the public. Also those which would look really nice in the shortest timeframe. There is a lot of duct-tape and painting going on.
Feeling stimulated yet?

Oh, there were several articles recently written that said the same thing. I said this when arguing with tommy boy a long time ago.
Its not necessarily a bad thing, but to tie up the money for a very long time working on the worst roads was not in the best interests of the people - according to the administration.

Shawnee123 · 09-28-2009, 01:26 PM

Yeah, I need a graph, dude.

skysidhe · 09-28-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

One of my best friends is a civil engineer in a very high position with a local state. The roads that need the most fixing are NOT getting fixed for a number of reasons. The least of which is that there never were any "Shovel-Ready" projects. Additionally the money was supposed to be used to STIMULATE the economy. Therefore, it went to the ones the could get to work on the fastest with the least amount of interruption to the public. Also those which would look really nice in the shortest timeframe. There is a lot of duct-tape and painting going on.
Feeling stimulated yet?

ahh stimulation!

Yes, I read this too plus many more. I had my nice list and then the system logged me off. grr

I couldn't be arsed to continue. Fun game indeed!

Shawnee123 · 09-28-2009, 01:27 PM

I feel very fucking stimulated, myself, thanks for asking. I can't keep up with all the jobs flying in my face.

classicman · 09-28-2009, 01:37 PM

Here is one

or here ...

here

or here

For the record, this is nothing new nor unexpected.

Shawnee123 · 09-28-2009, 01:43 PM

Oh, goody. Well done, c-man!

glatt · 09-28-2009, 02:06 PM

See, what happened was a state would have a million bucks in its road budget, so they would look around at everything they could do for a million bucks. They would have one section of road that needed to have some potholes filled, and they would also see a bridge that needed to be replaced. The road could be fixed for the million dollar budget. The bridge was gonna cost $100 million. So they planned to fix the road. They got the project into the pipeline and made it shovel ready. But they hadn't started the work yet.

Then Obama came along and said "I'll give you as much money as you can spend right now." They really needed a new bridge, but they needed a couple years to plan for that. The potholes were ready to be fixed right away. So Obama gave them money for the potholes.

The bridge still needs fixing badly. But so did the potholes.

Was the money wasted? Depends on how you define that. It stimulated the economy fairly quickly, and some potholes got filled. Hope that bridge doesn't fall down.

Shawnee123 · 09-28-2009, 02:09 PM

I had no idea Obama was giving money for potheads, I mean, potholes.

Yeah, I just can't take this seriously, the typical picking of nits and regurgitations of googled articles.

classicman · 09-28-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Hope that bridge doesn't fall down.

Me too. Thats what my friend was referring to though. The orders for "cosmetic supplies" are through the roof. The stuff to paint the stripes on the roads and signage and that sort of thing. He said its incredible how much they are doing & spending while avoiding the roads that need the work the most.

There are bridges and serious failures that NEED to be addressed that are getting less money than they were getting because of the spend it now mandate.

09-28-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

There are bridges and serious failures that NEED to be addressed that are getting less money than they were getting because of the spend it now mandate.

That is not quite the case.

Those bridges and serious failures were not getting addressed before the stimulus money mostly because the states couldnt afford it before the recession or were not willing to make it a higher priority and re-direct funding from other state budget items.

glatt · 09-28-2009, 03:20 PM

From my observations, it's true. Lots of nice bright new lane lines and zebra stripes all over the place.

I would have liked to see money spent on old bridges and other critical infrastructure, but I don't think that would have made it through the political process. The excuse for throwing money around was the stimulation, which meant it had to be fast.

classicman · 09-28-2009, 03:57 PM

Thank you glatt. I was wondering if it was happening in other places or just where he is responsible.

Redux - I know what the truth is - I hear it FIRSTHAND from someone who allocates the money on a daily basis. It is an unfortunate reality.

09-28-2009, 01:21 PM	#18
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Refute your opinion that roads are being fixed that don't need it, with cites that show all roads being fixed do indeed need it? No thanks. Sounds like a fun game, but I don't really have time to do all the legwork. As you were. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-28-2009, 01:22 PM	#19
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	One of my best friends is a civil engineer in a very high position with a local state. The roads that need the most fixing are NOT getting fixed for a number of reasons. The least of which is that there never were any "Shovel-Ready" projects. Additionally the money was supposed to be used to STIMULATE the economy. Therefore, it went to the ones the could get to work on the fastest with the least amount of interruption to the public. Also those which would look really nice in the shortest timeframe. There is a lot of duct-tape and painting going on. Feeling stimulated yet? Oh, there were several articles recently written that said the same thing. I said this when arguing with tommy boy a long time ago. Its not necessarily a bad thing, but to tie up the money for a very long time working on the worst roads was not in the best interests of the people - according to the administration. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

09-28-2009, 01:26 PM	#20
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Yeah, I need a graph, dude. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-28-2009, 01:27 PM	#22
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I feel very fucking stimulated, myself, thanks for asking. I can't keep up with all the jobs flying in my face. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-28-2009, 01:37 PM	#23
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Here is one or here ... here or here For the record, this is nothing new nor unexpected. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

09-28-2009, 01:16 PM	#17
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	well you can google it as I did and further refute my point that the states are fixing roads that don't need it. If you want.

09-28-2009, 01:43 PM	#24
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Oh, goody. Well done, c-man! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-28-2009, 02:06 PM	#25
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	See, what happened was a state would have a million bucks in its road budget, so they would look around at everything they could do for a million bucks. They would have one section of road that needed to have some potholes filled, and they would also see a bridge that needed to be replaced. The road could be fixed for the million dollar budget. The bridge was gonna cost $100 million. So they planned to fix the road. They got the project into the pipeline and made it shovel ready. But they hadn't started the work yet. Then Obama came along and said "I'll give you as much money as you can spend right now." They really needed a new bridge, but they needed a couple years to plan for that. The potholes were ready to be fixed right away. So Obama gave them money for the potholes. The bridge still needs fixing badly. But so did the potholes. Was the money wasted? Depends on how you define that. It stimulated the economy fairly quickly, and some potholes got filled. Hope that bridge doesn't fall down.

09-28-2009, 02:09 PM	#26
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I had no idea Obama was giving money for potheads, I mean, potholes. Yeah, I just can't take this seriously, the typical picking of nits and regurgitations of googled articles. Attached Images __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-28-2009, 03:20 PM	#29
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	From my observations, it's true. Lots of nice bright new lane lines and zebra stripes all over the place. I would have liked to see money spent on old bridges and other critical infrastructure, but I don't think that would have made it through the political process. The excuse for throwing money around was the stimulation, which meant it had to be fast.

09-28-2009, 03:57 PM	#30
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Thank you glatt. I was wondering if it was happening in other places or just where he is responsible. Redux - I know what the truth is - I hear it FIRSTHAND from someone who allocates the money on a daily basis. It is an unfortunate reality. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

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