April 14, 2010

Evidence That Our Government Has Become Distracted: Ranking of Rhody's Bridges

Monique Chartier

Further to Justin's point about the misplaced priorities of the state, the ranking of our bridges - worst in the country - a couple of years ago confirms that the underfunding of road and bridge projects is a recurring theme at the General Assembly and not a brand new development in this supplemental budget.

As Justin pointed out, while good bridges are a proper use of public resources, our elected officials have found it irresistable to, instead, divert an inordinate amount of public money on programs that would either advance their own political careers or (my addendum) assuage a seriously misguided sense of compassion.

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But youz don't undastahnd. Da Speakah and Sinat Maaajrity Leadah gives de ordahs. Dey go an' meet wit da bosses from da unionz an da Pahvahty Instatoot an den work out a deel.

Den dey come out an' tell us howta vote. If we fallow da orders an show our loylty, then sumday we get to get into the leedership. Then da lobbyists treat us real nice an' it can leed ta all sortsa financial oppurtinities, if ya know what I meen.

Aneeway, after votin da way we're told den we goes back to ourah districts an' tell 'em how weze Democrats are for da workin families an ta vote fur us else those greedy rich Republicans'll take aaadvantuj of 'em.

Dis been workin' for over sevnty years now! Ya think we gonna change what ain't broke - da systems workin great fur us!

Posted by: Ragin' Rhode Islander at April 14, 2010 6:19 PM

Government owned bridges are a socialist idea,
Sell the bridges to Dick Cheney's Haliburton/Blackwater Co. and let the users pay. If they can charge our Army $43.00 for a gallon of gasoline, and $9.00 for a pint bottle of water, a trip over the Jamestown bridge would probably cost ONLY $250.00

PROBLEM SOLVED

Posted by: Earl at April 14, 2010 6:58 PM

"But youz don't undastahnd. Da Speakah and Sinat Maaajrity Leadah gives de ordahs. Dey go an' meet wit da bosses from da unionz an da Pahvahty Instatoot an den work out a deel.

Den dey come out an' tell us howta vote. If we fallow da orders an show our loylty, then sumday we get to get into the leedership. Then da lobbyists treat us real nice an' it can leed ta all sortsa financial oppurtinities, if ya know what I meen.

Aneeway, after votin da way we're told den we goes back to ourah districts an' tell 'em how weze Democrats are for da workin families an ta vote fur us else those greedy rich Republicans'll take aaadvantuj of 'em.

Dis been workin' for over sevnty years now! Ya think we gonna change what ain't broke - da systems workin great fur us!

Posted by Ragin' Rhode Islander at April 14, 2010 6:19 PM

Very funny, Mr. or Ms. Ragin'. The Italian accent is over the top. I am going to keep this post - as a reminder to myself- that the ancor rising people are a sugarcoated smoothtalking meanspirited hategroup.

Posted by: David S at April 14, 2010 7:29 PM

Hey, this is what happens when you channel the likes of Buddy Cianci, John Celona, Paulie Moura, Sal Mancini ... ;-)

SERIOUSLY, please don't mistake hyperbole / exaggeration used in the cause of sarcasm and parody. For one things, the "Rhode Island accent," though largely associated with Italians, is not exclusively so by any means.

Also, sleazy politics in RI is in no way limited to Italo-Americans: Matty Smith and John Harwood come immediately to mind.

If there's an association with sleaze and corruption in RI, it's (almost entirely) an association of (and between) the Democrat Party and labor unions, not ethnicity.

Posted by: Ragin' Rhode Islander at April 14, 2010 10:06 PM

Heh. Actually, whether Rhode Island or Brooklyn, that sounds like a standard tough guy accent.

Be assured, David S, that the exasperation and/or hostility of the Tea Party (I'll take the liberty of including Ragin' RI'er in that organization) is directed exclusively at one group of people: the elected officials who are spending way too much of our money and their power on way too many foolish and even dangerous projects. As you know, this group is comprised of all ethnicities and, on the federal level, is not limited to one political party.

Put it another way. Our criticism of bad politicians is cheerfully and completely non-discriminatory.

Posted by: Monique at April 14, 2010 10:25 PM

On that note, I attended the Boston Tea Party today during my lunch break. Thousands of people were there, and many different ethnic/sexuality groups were represented. Lots of "This gay loves the tea party" type signs. I don't particularly care about such things because I judge people only on their merits, but progressives are always quick to scream racist/bigot, so there you go.

Posted by: Dan at April 15, 2010 12:03 AM

David,

Your immediate thought on reading RRI's first comment was "that sounds like an Italian to me" -- and you're going to accuse others of intolerance?

If my grandmother were still with us on this Earth, she'd definitely put the malocchio on you for that one.

Posted by: Andrew at April 15, 2010 8:56 AM

That was my first thought as well. Why did an ethnic group immediately jump to David's mind? I just read it and thought RRI was being some average RI slob. Progressives are so race-obsessed and hypersensitive it's unbearable to be around them at times.

Posted by: Dan at April 15, 2010 11:09 AM

Wow

DavidS makes a comment and look at all the AR staff out to defend one who calls itself Ragin' R... DavidS never mentioned the tea party ,but Monique felt like she had to defend them too. Andrew says that DavidS is accusing RR of intolerance. He did not. The accusation was of mean spiritness. Dan continues in the mean spirited vein with this " I just read it and thought RRI was being some average RI slob. "
RR must be known to the hypersensitive AR people who tripped over each other to defend it and attack DavidS.

Posted by: Phil at April 16, 2010 9:39 AM

Don't feel bad, Phil. If anyone ever tries to accuse you of making a racist comment, we'll defend you, too.

Posted by: Monique at April 16, 2010 9:45 PM

Hey Thanks Monique

How's everything going? I notice you are still using your name when you call in to the disgusting little puke's radio show. Aside from some rather bizarre comments from time to time maybe you have really turned the corner. Again thank you for your offer but I don't think I'll be needing assistance in that area.

Posted by: Phil at April 18, 2010 5:55 AM