Federal Highway Funding

[KissMy]

Can't read very well can you?

All that was done was the removal of two bath tubs and moving the shower controls a minor movement of a light and fan as well as a switch then installing a shower pan and a partial tiling of the walls. Nothing else in the bathrooms was touched.

Here's how government construction works since you obviously don't know.

So the tubs were removed by the plumber. That took a couple hours but he got paid his union 4 hour minimum. Now the shower controls had to be moved but since that involved cutting into dry wall he couldn't do it so he marked the spot and left.

A few days later the guy from the sheet rockers union came in and cut the new openings. That took literally 5 minutes but he got his union 4 hour minimum.

The same thing happened when the electrician had to move a switch and install a new light so the sheet rock guy showed up a week later and cut his holes got paid for 4 hours and left.

This happened at every stage of the project. I especially liked when the sheet rock guy took a month to tape mud and sand the wall board. He would show up for 15 minutes sand a section and leave but got paid for 4 hours every time. IMO he had the best job of all the contractors.

So again if you think government construction projects are the way to go you sir are even dumber than the average sheep.

You probably read that B.S. story somewhere, because I have herd that shit before. It's the same as the $375 toilet paper holder story in 1971 from private companies repairing a toilet paper holder on the private Alaska oil pipeline. Inflation adjusted that $375 toilet paper holder would cost $1,300 today. If a worker does slack for a few hours occasionally, it is far less than a CEO steals every nano second. Union workers have never caused inflation. All inflation is from Wallstreet & Government deficits. That means underfunding roads causes inflation.

If the government is so much more inefficient than private, then why are private roads 5 times more expensive??????????????

Why haven't private roads put the public roads out of business???

of course you would not built new private roads to compete with public roads. You would accept bids to manage public roads. Over time a competitive price to operate roads would emerge that would be about 20% of the public price thanks to the capitalist competition.

Show proof or STFU!

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

You probably read that B.S. story somewhere, because I have herd that shit before. It's the same as the $375 toilet paper holder story in 1971 from private companies repairing a toilet paper holder on the private Alaska oil pipeline. Inflation adjusted that $375 toilet paper holder would cost $1,300 today. If a worker does slack for a few hours occasionally, it is far less than a CEO steals every nano second. Union workers have never caused inflation. All inflation is from Wallstreet & Government deficits. That means underfunding roads causes inflation.

If the government is so much more inefficient than private, then why are private roads 5 times more expensive??????????????

Why haven't private roads put the public roads out of business???

of course you would not built new private roads to compete with public roads. You would accept bids to manage public roads. Over time a competitive price to operate roads would emerge that would be about 20% of the public price thanks to the capitalist competition.

Show proof or STFU!

proof of what exactly??

 

[Skull Pilot]

Do you know anyone who has ever bid on a government contract?
I do. I also used to secure permits for a company that bid on all kinds of government contracts. My favorite one was for renovating a couple bathrooms in a group home. To remove 2 tubs and install roll in showers cost the tax payers 32,000 dollars and took almost 6 months. I could have done both showers for around 5 grand in less than a week.

That was just one little project.

If you believe government does a better job than the private sector then you sir are the most ignorant sheep I have ever met.

How many guaranteed bathroom jobs have you done for $2,500

Of course a DIY bathroom is cheap. I did mine for $3k in materials. That was only after my wife had 3 contractors give bids of over $20k.

If you are doing bathrooms for $2,500 each, I've got 3 rental houses with 6 bathrooms that need redone, so strap on your tool belt motor mouth.

The field of contractors is beset with crooks, liars and cheats, anyone who says differently is a liar and likely a crooked contractor. Government projects are not done by government workers, they are bid on by the private sector and use non government employees to do the job.

I know plenty of contractors that are honest as the day is long. I have yet to meet one honest politician.

 

[Skull Pilot]

You probably read that B.S. story somewhere, because I have herd that shit before. It's the same as the $375 toilet paper holder story in 1971 from private companies repairing a toilet paper holder on the private Alaska pipeline. Inflation adjusted that $375 toilet paper holder would cost $1,300 today. If a worker does slack for a few hours occasionally, it is far less than a CEO steals every nano second. Union workers have never caused inflation. All inflation is from Wallstreet & Government deficits. That means underfunding roads causes inflation.

If the government is so much more inefficient than private, then why are private roads 5 times more expensive??????????????

Why haven't private roads put the public roads out of business???

Sorry but that is 100% true and I saw the whole thing happen.

It was in MA.

And it wasn't slack work it was getting paid for doing nothing not even being at the job site.

And one thing you don't seem to understand that whatever money a CEO makes costs you NOTHING. Where government "work" costs you plenty.

When you provide proof of your private road expense I'll address that comment.

You are clueless thinking CEO's cost me nothing, they drive inflation. In your $16k each bathroom story it looks like total labor got paid less than $2k, materials less than $1k, CEO $13k. That is likely why labor slow walked the job.

NCSL Comparison of Toll Rates by State and Regional Tolling Authorities

Do you know what union trade labor rates are? Now consider the cost of labor when you have to pay a union hack 4 hours for 5 minutes of work.


And your link was dead. And just from the title I can tell you that toll rates have little to do with the actual operating costs of a road.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

Sorry but that is 100% true and I saw the whole thing happen.

It was in MA.

And it wasn't slack work it was getting paid for doing nothing not even being at the job site.

And one thing you don't seem to understand that whatever money a CEO makes costs you NOTHING. Where government "work" costs you plenty.

When you provide proof of your private road expense I'll address that comment.

You are clueless thinking CEO's cost me nothing, they drive inflation. In your $16k each bathroom story it looks like total labor got paid less than $2k, materials less than $1k, CEO $13k. That is likely why labor slow walked the job.

NCSL Comparison of Toll Rates by State and Regional Tolling Authorities

Do you know what union trade labor rates are? Now consider the cost of labor when you have to pay a union hack 4 hours for 5 minutes of work.


And your link was dead. And just from the title I can tell you that toll rates have little to do with the actual operating costs of a road.

yes that is so true. Tolls are simply another form of tax revenue that liberals can waste. Its like Ross Perot said: "they can waste all the money there is."

 

[Shanty]

Just let states or the private sector take over the highways.

The private sector? What do you want? Higher costing roads that are barely passable and take you longer to get to your destination, as the roads would be limited to some ranches out west big enough to allow for a few miles of highway, until you got to the end of the ranch?

That's some huge DERP going on, there.

 

[Shanty]

Sorry but that is 100% true and I saw the whole thing happen.

It was in MA.

And it wasn't slack work it was getting paid for doing nothing not even being at the job site.

And one thing you don't seem to understand that whatever money a CEO makes costs you NOTHING. Where government "work" costs you plenty.

When you provide proof of your private road expense I'll address that comment.

You are clueless thinking CEO's cost me nothing, they drive inflation. In your $16k each bathroom story it looks like total labor got paid less than $2k, materials less than $1k, CEO $13k. That is likely why labor slow walked the job.

NCSL Comparison of Toll Rates by State and Regional Tolling Authorities

Do you know what union trade labor rates are? Now consider the cost of labor when you have to pay a union hack 4 hours for 5 minutes of work.


And your link was dead. And just from the title I can tell you that toll rates have little to do with the actual operating costs of a road.

Union construction workers are far more productive workers than nonunion workers. That's why Prevailing Wage jobs are often cheaper, because of faster construction, fewer reworks, and better occupational safety (the last leads to lower insurance rates).

 

[Skull Pilot]

You are clueless thinking CEO's cost me nothing, they drive inflation. In your $16k each bathroom story it looks like total labor got paid less than $2k, materials less than $1k, CEO $13k. That is likely why labor slow walked the job.

NCSL Comparison of Toll Rates by State and Regional Tolling Authorities

Do you know what union trade labor rates are? Now consider the cost of labor when you have to pay a union hack 4 hours for 5 minutes of work.


And your link was dead. And just from the title I can tell you that toll rates have little to do with the actual operating costs of a road.

Union construction workers are far more productive workers than nonunion workers.

Not in my experience. Have you ever had to deal with union labor? I have and I'll take a private non union contractor any day.

 

[Rshermr]

You probably read that B.S. story somewhere, because I have herd that shit before. It's the same as the $375 toilet paper holder story in 1971 from private companies repairing a toilet paper holder on the private Alaska oil pipeline. Inflation adjusted that $375 toilet paper holder would cost $1,300 today. If a worker does slack for a few hours occasionally, it is far less than a CEO steals every nano second. Union workers have never caused inflation. All inflation is from Wallstreet & Government deficits. That means underfunding roads causes inflation.

If the government is so much more inefficient than private, then why are private roads 5 times more expensive??????????????

Why haven't private roads put the public roads out of business???

of course you would not built new private roads to compete with public roads. You would accept bids to manage public roads. Over time a competitive price to operate roads would emerge that would be about 20% of the public price thanks to the capitalist competition.

Show proof or STFU!

Ed does not read. No one actually takes him seriously.

 

[kaz]

Do away with federal highway funding. Kick it all back to the states and let them be responsible for maintaining their own roads, highways, and transportation infrastructure. The federal government is not chartered with this responsibility in the Constitution anyway.

As much as I argue Constitutional Authority, that one is there:

Article I, Section 8: “To establish Post Offices and post Roads”

As a libertarian, I'm with you on small government, but I'm OK with the federal highway system. Though I agree with you other Federal involvement in roads should stop.

We should raise the Federal gas tax to cover all Federal road funding. Gas is dirt cheap in this country anyway. And that way, the users of the roads are paying for them.

 

[Skull Pilot]

Do away with federal highway funding. Kick it all back to the states and let them be responsible for maintaining their own roads, highways, and transportation infrastructure. The federal government is not chartered with this responsibility in the Constitution anyway.

As much as I argue Constitutional Authority, that one is there:

Article I, Section 8: “To establish Post Offices and post Roads”

As a libertarian, I'm with you on small government, but I'm OK with the federal highway system. Though I agree with you other Federal involvement in roads should stop.

We should raise the Federal gas tax to cover all Federal road funding. Gas is dirt cheap in this country anyway. And that way, the users of the roads are paying for them.

We should first find out where the billions collected annually for roads by both the states and feds are actually going before we give one more red cent to the idiots in government.

 

[kaz]

Do away with federal highway funding. Kick it all back to the states and let them be responsible for maintaining their own roads, highways, and transportation infrastructure. The federal government is not chartered with this responsibility in the Constitution anyway.

As much as I argue Constitutional Authority, that one is there:

Article I, Section 8: “To establish Post Offices and post Roads”

As a libertarian, I'm with you on small government, but I'm OK with the federal highway system. Though I agree with you other Federal involvement in roads should stop.

We should raise the Federal gas tax to cover all Federal road funding. Gas is dirt cheap in this country anyway. And that way, the users of the roads are paying for them.

We should first find out where the billions collected annually for roads by both the states and feds are actually going before we give one more red cent to the idiots in government.

I agree, I meant it more as a policy statement than a we need to raise the gas tax now statement. The federal gas tax on roads should be set to raise exactly, no more, no less, the amount of money the Federal government spends on roads.

 

[longknife]

How Much Tax Money Goes in Your Tank?

Well, it's supposed to go for highway improvement. So it's okay. Right? Well, at least some of it goes to the Highway Trust Fund – so we know how badly that's misused.

Now, as Americans are driving more fuel-efficient cars and driving less, can you guess what's coming next.

Short piece @ This Map Shows Where Gas is Taxed the Most - TIME

 

[OnePercenter]

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

Then you've missed the point. Privatizing everything is not the answer. The United States as a government has taken the best parts of other political ideologies and made it work for the people. Socialist, in providing services and structures. Marxism, by outlawing child labor and promoting education. By pushing private roadways you're doing nothing but raising costs for the middle class.

Socialist, in providing services and structures???

you mean like health care which costs 5 times what it should costs thanks to the liberal monopoly?

you mean like education which turns out the dumbest kids in the civilized world?

you mean like the roadway monopoly which must also cost 5 times the competitive rate?
Do you get that competition makes us better rather than worse??

Placing tax monies in a pot for the good of all is a Socialist ideology.

 

[OnePercenter]

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

Then you've missed the point. Privatizing everything is not the answer. The United States as a government has taken the best parts of other political ideologies and made it work for the people. Socialist, in providing services and structures. Marxism, by outlawing child labor and promoting education. By pushing private roadways you're doing nothing but raising costs for the middle class.

Socialist, in providing services and structures???

you mean like health care which costs 5 times what it should costs thanks to the liberal monopoly?

you mean like education which turns out the dumbest kids in the civilized world?

you mean like the roadway monopoly which must also cost 5 times the competitive rate?
Do you get that competition makes us better rather than worse??

Healthcare cost and monopolies in healthcare were under Republicans administrations. Reagan deregulated, and baby Bushes SEC allowed mergers and acquisitions. Don't believe me? Look at the M and A's that were granted for the top three profit based insurance companies during baby Bush.

 

[OnePercenter]

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

Then you've missed the point. Privatizing everything is not the answer. The United States as a government has taken the best parts of other political ideologies and made it work for the people. Socialist, in providing services and structures. Marxism, by outlawing child labor and promoting education. By pushing private roadways you're doing nothing but raising costs for the middle class.

Socialist, in providing services and structures???

you mean like health care which costs 5 times what it should costs thanks to the liberal monopoly?

you mean like education which turns out the dumbest kids in the civilized world?

you mean like the roadway monopoly which must also cost 5 times the competitive rate?
Do you get that competition makes us better rather than worse??

My, as well as my children's K-12 were public, and I as well as all three of my children are multimillionaires. Perhaps you'll find the answer by looking in the mirror.

 

[OnePercenter]

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

Then you've missed the point. Privatizing everything is not the answer. The United States as a government has taken the best parts of other political ideologies and made it work for the people. Socialist, in providing services and structures. Marxism, by outlawing child labor and promoting education. By pushing private roadways you're doing nothing but raising costs for the middle class.

Socialist, in providing services and structures???

you mean like health care which costs 5 times what it should costs thanks to the liberal monopoly?

you mean like education which turns out the dumbest kids in the civilized world?

you mean like the roadway monopoly which must also cost 5 times the competitive rate?
Do you get that competition makes us better rather than worse??

Are you trying to say that roadway contracts aren't put out for competitive bid, or you never go outside your house so you don't care that privatizing roadways will result in higher costs for the middle class?

 

[ScienceRocks]

Highways and freeways is an issue of both the state and federal governments. If you don't like it, don't drive on them.

Pay the taxes or walk.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

privatizing roadways will result in higher costs for the middle class?

actually they are trying to privatize everything in China now to lower costs for everyone. It has worked so well they have eliminated 40% of world poverty. Its been in all the papers!! What planet have you been on.

 

[OnePercenter]

privatizing roadways will result in higher costs for the middle class?

actually they are trying to privatize everything in China now to lower costs for everyone. It has worked so well they have eliminated 40% of world poverty. Its been in all the papers!! What planet have you been on.

Heavily subsidized rapid industrialization of the country, people moving from the poorer rural areas of the country to urban centers, improved education and healthcare, and this:

China and Subsidies | Alliance for American Manufacturing

And toll roads everywhere in the US would be better.