And they say Democrats are big spenders? Check this out.

[gatorboy]

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050802135609990029

Alaska, the third-least populated state, got the fourth most in earmarks, $941 million, thanks largely to the work of its lone representative, Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young. That included $231 million for a bridge near Anchorage to be named "Don Young's Way" in honor of the Republican.

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And what will this new bridge be used for? To connect mainland Alaska to the small island of Gravina. Population 50. That's right. He's spending $230 million dollars on a bridge for 50 people. Hell, he could've bought each islander their own yacht to use and still come in cheaper.

And why did Young make out so well on this bill? Because he's the Transportation Committee Chairmain. He basically wrote himself a check for whatever he wanted! And gave himself the fourth largest budget in the bill. Only New York, California and Illinois will get more money from the bill. But considering their size compared to Alaska (The third least popluate state), I think it's pretty obvious where the real pork is coming from.

He even had the gall of having the bridge named after him!

What a bunch of hypocrites.

[Triana]

1. Pretentious f*cking hypocrites...

...it's their Hallmark.

Bastards

[BamaLefty]

2. Alabama Has The Most Earmarked Dollars

I believe. If we're not first, then we are #2 or #3.

So much for a conservative, Republican state huh? :eyes:

[Catholic Sensation]

5. it means for this 284 billion dollar bill

[tk2kewl]

3. It makes me sick when pols have shit named after themselves

while they're in office.

when they retire or die, if the folks in office at that time want to honor them, so be it. but how conceded does one need to be to use tax dollars to build a monument to oneself?

[atreides1]

10. I'm Old Fashioned

I don't think any landmark should be named for a person until they are dead, sort of like the Catholic church and how they select Saints.

First the person has to be dead.

[adarling]

4. they;ll get it in the end though

this will all bite them in the ass someday.They talk about a sleep giant awaking after 9/11, but i think that giant is starting to wake up now. You can feel it in the air, sort of like electricity. We all needed a month after the elections to collect ourselves, but i have never seen such campaigning starting so soon, its kinda exciting.

[Catholic Sensation]

6. this transportation bill has "the big dig"

written all over it.

[MercutioATC]

7. You're ignoring the fact that Ketchikan International Airport ison Gravina

Airport Operational Statistics

Aircraft based on the field: 13
Single engine airplanes: 10
Multi engine airplanes: 1
Helicopters: 2

Aircraft operations: avg 44/day

60% air taxi
33% commercial
4% transient general aviation
3% local general aviation
<1% military


(boldface mine)

44 operations a day?!?! Yeah, it deserves its own bridge...

[gatorboy]

11. But a $223 million bridge??

They do have a ferry available that's a 7 minutes trip to the airport. So there is other means of transportation. I just don't see spending that type of money for such a small population of individuals. Especially when education and healthcare is being cut in other areas because we "don't have the money"

As far as an expansion of the island for hotels and such, I'd consider that private development which is no way to spend taxpayer's dollars.

It just shows the greed of this administration. Soldiers lack good armor for their vehicles, but Republican Young has no problem spending a chunk of taxpayer change on a bridge that goes practically nowhere.

[MercutioATC]

13. Sorry, I should have used the "sarcasm" smilie.

44 operations a day is NOTHING. 44 operations isn't sufficient reason to throw rocks in the water in an attempt to jump across on them.

It's certainlt not justification for any bridge.

[gatorboy]

14. Heh! sorry about that.

I guess we do live in a world now where some require smilies. My bad! :)

[MercutioATC]

16. Nope, my fault.

I'm Italian. I have yet to realize that hand gestures don't translate well over the internet.

[newportdadde]

8. Not for 50 people... but for what will be there...

My guess is some big developers up there are going in on a development project on that island if the bridge gets built, maybe hotel, or vacation homes.

http://www.gravina-access.com/

[jim3775]

9. Every real Conservative should be appalled at the neocons. n/t

[BamaLefty]

12. Every real conservative?

Yeah, all 6 of them!!

[FreedomAngel82]

15. Of course they are hypocrites

Doy. But don't you know? Clinton was the big spender! :eyes: :sarcasm: