So America was responsible for the Arab Spring protests that demanded reforms across the ME? Cause Libya and Egypt both went pear-shaped by the will of their own people.
Syria is your only real argument here and at the time propping up a shaky dictator was not as clear as it is now that the whole thing has become a drawn out civil war. We could have Putin'd early and crushed democratic protesters but we chose to waver (the will of the American people if I may add) and now here we are with a refugee crisis.
The genesis of our decisions and subsequently ISIS roots back to Iraq.
Random Politics & Religion #00
Random Politics & Religion #00
No Obama publically came out against Mumbarak, our ally, ergo he supported an overthrow of the Egyptian government. We assisted militarily and supplied arms to oust Qadhafi. If you believe a power vacuum in the absence of a dictator in Iraq led to instability in the region then why would you create power vacuums in three other countries? The argument is valid.
Liberals were all wet over the Arab spring. It has worked out so beautifully.
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
Jassik said: »
Jetackuu said: »
Jassik said: »
You know, if we didn't spend so damn much on the drug war and put that money into energy research, imagine how "care free" we could be too.
They'll wait until bridges are collapsing then someone will propose we privatize all utilities and then every road will become a toll road and energy prices will skyrocket. Nothing to see here, it's regulation that's the problem.
It seems to me you might be exaggerating just a tad on the state of our infrastructure.
You've got your head in the sand. In Idaho alone there are over a thousand bridges that were designated as unsafe over a decade ago and continue to be used because there is no other route.
You really should do a little research on the state of our bridges in the US. Most were built over 50 years ago and intended to be replaced almost 20 years ago.
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Those areas of Idaho need better Congressmen/women if it is such an emergency. It has been impossible to avoid highway/bridge construction in my area for over 15 years.
Thank you Arlen Specter, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Thank you Arlen Specter, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
Those areas of Idaho need better Congressmen/women if it is such an emergency.
1. I agree, TP fools every one of them, but it's not Idaho that's the problem.
2. They are federally funded, like everywhere, and the highway fund is broke because we haven't had a gas tax increase or any appropriations since the mid 90's.
Reaganomics is directly to blame for our crumbling infrastructure.
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Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
Those areas of Idaho need better Congressmen/women if it is such an emergency. It has been impossible to avoid highway/bridge construction in my area for over 15 years.
Thank you Arlen Specter, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Thank you Arlen Specter, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Yet still our state is brimming with structurally deficient bridges.
Constantly widening the turnpike and 119, while beneficial to the flow of traffic, is not exactly the best use of our state construction money, imo.
If a gas tax increase would supply all of the funding that we need, yet a sudden increase in gasoline price would be bad for the economy, then embracing our natural resources seems like a logical solution. Our own oil and natural gas could get fuel costs low enough that a tax on them would be easy to absorb.
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
Ramyrez said: »
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
Those areas of Idaho need better Congressmen/women if it is such an emergency. It has been impossible to avoid highway/bridge construction in my area for over 15 years.
Thank you Arlen Specter, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Thank you Arlen Specter, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Yet still our state is brimming with structurally deficient bridges.
Constantly widening the turnpike and 119, while beneficial to the flow of traffic, is not exactly the best use of our state construction money, imo.
Well what have you? There's a laundry list with a few million things on it and only so much money to go around. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
If a gas tax increase would supply all of the funding that we need, yet a sudden increase in gasoline price would be bad for the economy, then embracing our natural resources seems like a logical solution. Our own oil and natural gas could get fuel costs low enough that a tax on them would be easy to absorb.
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
Uh, no. A few cents per gallon would generate billions a year in revenue. It's also got nothing to do with where we get the oil or Obama.
It's simply that one half of congress would prefer to let the infrastructure crumble than be seen to increase taxes.
Jassik said: »
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
If a gas tax increase would supply all of the funding that we need, yet a sudden increase in gasoline price would be bad for the economy, then embracing our natural resources seems like a logical solution. Our own oil and natural gas could get fuel costs low enough that a tax on them would be easy to absorb.
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
Uh, no. A few cents per gallon would generate billions a year in revenue. It's also got nothing to do with where we get the oil or Obama.
It's simply that one half of congress would prefer to let the infrastructure crumble than be seen to increase taxes.
No it seems that one half of Congress is against American energy independence and fossil fuels no matter what.
No political party has the guts to increase the gas tax when fuel costs are this high and the economy is this bad. Even President Obama with his built in 47% support no matter what would have a difficult time. If he sold it, he could probably succeed.
The gas tax will most likely be raised this fall when Congress has to address the broke highway fund for the third time this year. McConnell took it off the table the first two times, despite pressure from the left to raise it, but its going to be unavoidable the third time around.
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
Jassik said: »
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
If a gas tax increase would supply all of the funding that we need, yet a sudden increase in gasoline price would be bad for the economy, then embracing our natural resources seems like a logical solution. Our own oil and natural gas could get fuel costs low enough that a tax on them would be easy to absorb.
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
Uh, no. A few cents per gallon would generate billions a year in revenue. It's also got nothing to do with where we get the oil or Obama.
It's simply that one half of congress would prefer to let the infrastructure crumble than be seen to increase taxes.
No it seems that one half of Congress is against American energy independence and fossil fuels no matter what.
No political party has the guts to increase the gas tax when fuel costs are this high and the economy is this bad. Even President Obama with his built in 47% support no matter what would have a difficult time. If he sold it, he could probably succeed.
Energy independence doesn't mean drilling on your own land. It's a buzzword. I still can't figure out why you keep bringing up Obama, nobody in congress is proposing or passing taxes that he's vetoing, in fact it's quite the opposite. We can easily weather a few cents a gallon, regardless of how "bad" your purposeful distortion of the world needs it to be.
Jassik said: »
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
Jassik said: »
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
If a gas tax increase would supply all of the funding that we need, yet a sudden increase in gasoline price would be bad for the economy, then embracing our natural resources seems like a logical solution. Our own oil and natural gas could get fuel costs low enough that a tax on them would be easy to absorb.
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
If he doesn't want to do that then why doesn't President Obama use the White House to promote an increase in the gas tax?
Uh, no. A few cents per gallon would generate billions a year in revenue. It's also got nothing to do with where we get the oil or Obama.
It's simply that one half of congress would prefer to let the infrastructure crumble than be seen to increase taxes.
No it seems that one half of Congress is against American energy independence and fossil fuels no matter what.
No political party has the guts to increase the gas tax when fuel costs are this high and the economy is this bad. Even President Obama with his built in 47% support no matter what would have a difficult time. If he sold it, he could probably succeed.
Energy independence doesn't mean drilling on your own land. It's a buzzword. I still can't figure out why you keep bringing up Obama, nobody in congress is proposing or passing taxes that he's vetoing, in fact it's quite the opposite. We can easily weather a few cents a gallon, regardless of how "bad" your purposeful distortion of the world needs it to be.
The President sells his agenda. If this was important to him and Democrats he would be out there talking about it and selling it. Anything he speaks about becomes a national issue. He talks about guns we talk about guns. He talks about Trevon Martin, we talk about Trevon Martin. He talks about the Confederate flag, we talk about the Confederate flag. He talks about a Muslim student with a fake bomb in school, we talk about a Muslin student with a fake bomb in school.
Yeah, sure, let's just throw on another tax. The government is already wasteful, so let's just throw more money at them instead of fixing the problem at the source. I'm sure they'll use it right this time!
you should have gotten those idaho bridge projects shovel ready for the trillion dollar economy super duper spendorific cluster bomb of hope that magically solved all of our problems six some odd years ago
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Shovel ready has to be one of my favorite buzzwords. I think most Americans are ready to apply a shovel to their local elected officials.
Before voting for them again.
Before voting for them again.
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Yeah, sure, let's just throw on another tax. The government is already wasteful, so let's just throw more money at them instead of fixing the problem at the source. I'm sure they'll use it right this time!
The highway fund is directly funded by gas taxes. There aren't enough inspectors, it's plagued by poorly run private contractors, and the funding hasn't been increased in 20 years. The standard TP taglines don't apply.
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »
Shovel ready has to be one of my favorite buzzwords. I think most Americans are ready to apply a shovel to their local elected officials.
Before voting for them again.
Before voting for them again.
If Congress is any indication, they'll want to a apply a shovel to the whole lot... but their guy is the exception. It's a perfect way to ensure that something everyone hates remains exactly the same.
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Yeah, sure, let's just throw on another tax. The government is already wasteful, so let's just throw more money at them instead of fixing the problem at the source. I'm sure they'll use it right this time!
The highway fund is directly funded by gas taxes. There aren't enough inspectors, it's plagued by poorly run private contractors, and the funding hasn't been increased in 20 years. The standard TP taglines don't apply.
So what? The government is incapable of directing money to the highway fund from other taxes?
I'm sure construction labor Unions really keeps all of the costs of highway projects down too.
[+]
Whats the political impetus to that though? I mean honestly a major bridge collapse with mass deaths is probably the only way you're going to see a major shift towards actually... doing something. After everyone does some partisan masturbation.
Having it be a national embarrassment covered on world news is probably for the betterment of us all. The swift kick in the 'nads we need.
Having it be a national embarrassment covered on world news is probably for the betterment of us all. The swift kick in the 'nads we need.
But what does the government say about mysterious holes appearing everywhere around the world?
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Yeah, sure, let's just throw on another tax. The government is already wasteful, so let's just throw more money at them instead of fixing the problem at the source. I'm sure they'll use it right this time!
The highway fund is directly funded by gas taxes. There aren't enough inspectors, it's plagued by poorly run private contractors, and the funding hasn't been increased in 20 years. The standard TP taglines don't apply.
So what? The government is incapable of directing money to the highway fund from other taxes?
With already massive deficits, you'd expect them to channel money AWAY from already underfunded things to the highway fund rather than raising one of the most successful programs in US history? The highway fund is one of the few taxes that the right used to champion. It's a direct usage tax, pays almost exclusively to the private sector, and benefit corporations immensely.
Your standard response to everything tax related simply doesn't apply. It's childish to advocate against it and demonstrates just how destructive and immature the TP platform is.
Phoenix.Amandarius said: »
I'm sure construction labor Unions really keeps all of the costs of highway projects down too.
Prevailing wage, look it up.
[+]
Interstate commerce?
[+]
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Yeah, sure, let's just throw on another tax. The government is already wasteful, so let's just throw more money at them instead of fixing the problem at the source. I'm sure they'll use it right this time!
The highway fund is directly funded by gas taxes. There aren't enough inspectors, it's plagued by poorly run private contractors, and the funding hasn't been increased in 20 years. The standard TP taglines don't apply.
So what? The government is incapable of directing money to the highway fund from other taxes?
With already massive deficits, you'd expect them to channel money AWAY from already underfunded things to the highway fund rather than raising one of the most successful programs in US history? The highway fund is one of the few taxes that the right used to champion. It's a direct usage tax, pays almost exclusively to the private sector, and benefit corporations immensely.
Your standard response to everything tax related simply doesn't apply. It's childish to advocate against it and demonstrates just how destructive and immature the TP platform is.
I don't give a crap about the TP platform. Also, no, I don't expect them to channel money away from underfunded things. I expect them to channel money away from the mass of bloated, useless things that they waste billions of dollars on annually. Don't pretend that those don't exist.
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »
Shovel ready has to be one of my favorite buzzwords.
jassik is just jelly mad because he has been stuck in a idaho highway sinkhole for six years waiting for the shovel readiness to happen
and idaho was all like what 200 billion dollars?
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Yeah, sure, let's just throw on another tax. The government is already wasteful, so let's just throw more money at them instead of fixing the problem at the source. I'm sure they'll use it right this time!
The highway fund is directly funded by gas taxes. There aren't enough inspectors, it's plagued by poorly run private contractors, and the funding hasn't been increased in 20 years. The standard TP taglines don't apply.
So what? The government is incapable of directing money to the highway fund from other taxes?
With already massive deficits, you'd expect them to channel money AWAY from already underfunded things to the highway fund rather than raising one of the most successful programs in US history? The highway fund is one of the few taxes that the right used to champion. It's a direct usage tax, pays almost exclusively to the private sector, and benefit corporations immensely.
Your standard response to everything tax related simply doesn't apply. It's childish to advocate against it and demonstrates just how destructive and immature the TP platform is.
I don't give a crap about the TP platform. Also, no, I don't expect them to channel money away from underfunded things. I expect them to channel money away from the mass of bloated, useless things that they waste billions of dollars on annually. Don't pretend that those don't exist.
Easiest thing to say, hardest thing to actually do.
There's a point where austerity becomes cutting off your nose to spite your face. Roads are a critical link in the American commerce engine and rightfully should be high priority for upkeep and renewal.
But yeah, little Timmy needs to drown horribly in a schoolbus full of children before we see some actual leadership. His teacher needs to look right into the camera and cite his burning desire to be an engineer one day for added irony.
[+]
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Jassik said: »
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
Yeah, sure, let's just throw on another tax. The government is already wasteful, so let's just throw more money at them instead of fixing the problem at the source. I'm sure they'll use it right this time!
The highway fund is directly funded by gas taxes. There aren't enough inspectors, it's plagued by poorly run private contractors, and the funding hasn't been increased in 20 years. The standard TP taglines don't apply.
So what? The government is incapable of directing money to the highway fund from other taxes?
With already massive deficits, you'd expect them to channel money AWAY from already underfunded things to the highway fund rather than raising one of the most successful programs in US history? The highway fund is one of the few taxes that the right used to champion. It's a direct usage tax, pays almost exclusively to the private sector, and benefit corporations immensely.
Your standard response to everything tax related simply doesn't apply. It's childish to advocate against it and demonstrates just how destructive and immature the TP platform is.
I don't give a crap about the TP platform. Also, no, I don't expect them to channel money away from underfunded things. I expect them to channel money away from the mass of bloated, useless things that they waste billions of dollars on annually. Don't pretend that those don't exist.
Yeah, oil subsidies, military contractors, drug research, and of course, planned parenthood. The gas tax is the most fair tax around sans lotteries.
Bahamut.Ravael said: »
I don't give a crap about the TP platform. Also, no, I don't expect them to channel money away from underfunded things. I expect them to channel money away from the mass of bloated, useless things that they waste billions of dollars on annually. Don't pretend that those don't exist.
Can you provide realistic examples of cuts that would equal the amount of revenue generated by a federal gas tax?
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