Wafflegate on CSX Sweetheart Deal

[tufsu1]

It won't happen...right now the progressives (read transit supporters) in Congress and USDOT are contemplating a slight shift to 75-25....there is a potential still that the new Federal transportation bill will allow metro areas to allocate their funding share differently....but I doubt that will make it through as AASHTO has much power and wants to keep the money flowing through state DOTs.

[CS Foltz]

Therein lies the problem.............everyone is more concerned about protecting their turf rather than looking at the big picture over a 20 year range! It would be nice if the "Metro" area's had the power to decide for themselves but with the current figureheads in positions of power, that won't happend either! It is more than likely going to take removing all of the old guard and getting new people in place with a open mind, some expertise and maybe the ability to see 20 years plus down the road and I don't mean more concrete!

[tufsu1]

It will probably take much more than that CS....we'd need to completely revamp our political system and boundaries.

Think about it....why would someone at the state level want to cede power to a metro region...and what about those metro regions that overlap or are in more than one state....what do you do then?

[CS Foltz]

Not really sure! I do know that some voters actually take the time to do some investigation regarding just who is the best person to represent them.........I know I do! I do know that gerymandering does take place and there is a lot of smoke filled back room wheeling and dealing, Ms Brown comes to mind as an example....Corriane brings home the bacon right? Some voters actually know what to do,voting wise, but the majority are more concerned about ......what are you gonna do for me! Health Care Bill being discussed right now.........look at what happened to the Nebraskan's....Goverment to pick up their Medicare/Medicade Tab for the whole State, talk about buying votes? Until the Public actually takes the time to get involved and educated ......like sheep to be shorn and they deserve it!