Letter to my local right wing rag

[nadinbrzezinski]

The philosophy espoused by the Republican Party of lower taxes has led to massive infrastructure failures, starting in New Orleans during Katrina, followed by the steam pipe explosion in New York City, and tonight in Minneapolis St Paul. The mantra of lower taxes has reached its logical conclusion: the nation's infrastructure is failing. We have been here before. In fact, this is 1927 all over again. What will it take for many Americans to finally understand this: Paying taxes is patriotic, and those taxes fund the commons? Perhaps a couple more infrastructure failures will do the trick. Perhaps the ME culture will win out and the country will join many developing world countries were disasters such as tonight's are every day ocurrences.

[Mythsaje]

1. One thing

it's "where" not "were" in the last line.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Let the editor play iwth it

reality is, the San Diego Union Trib will not touch it... they are to the right of atila the hun

;-)

But thanks anyway. Perhaps if I decide to send ot the NYT I will correct that

[lebkuchen]

13. If you do send it to the NYT (and you should)

perhaps mention Mary Peters, Sec. of Transportation, since her philosophy about taxes and infrastructure spending is counter to your own.

Peters is an advocate of private investment in U.S. public roads and of user fees for building new highways. In an interview, Peters said that the National Highway System will run out of money by decade's end without substantial changes and, rather than raise taxes, some states are turning to toll roads already to fill gaps.

"You just can't depend on the federal government to bring the money in that was around when the interstate system was first built," Peters said.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Peters_%28politician%29

Norm Mineta left the Transportation Dept. a year ago July with no explanation. An acting secretary was in his place for three months before Peters came on. I wonder why Mineta left. Since he'd been with the dept. for an extraordinary number of years, perhaps he'd be willing to shed some light on the latest infrastructure catastrophe and why he left the dept.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. In other words our secretary believes in finalizing the plan

and privatizing everything

Have I mentioned tonight how much I hate these people?

[lebkuchen]

16. Our Sec. of Transportation said you can't depend on the federal govt.

I think commuters ought to made aware of her views, for their own safety. Send your letter to the Times, with mispellings (sic) if you prefer.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. I did, I added a line to that

here you go

Privatizing the system will not save the system, as the Secretary of Transportation advocates. It will only make the problem worst.

[lebkuchen]

20. perfect

Consider Newsweek and Time as well.

On edit, you might want to add Mary Peters' name, since Mineta had the job for 5-1/2 years. People may not remember that Peters' has been there for a year.

[Wetzelbill]

3. typical arrogant writer

I know one because... well, I am one. :)

You elitists always have to be correcting somebody's grammar and spelling! :silly:

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Granted I did not catch it

but I have been editing all day... so my brain is a little tired

:-)

Anyhow, it IS the Union Trib... trust me, they won't even read it

This is a direct attack on the pubbies, something that is verbotten 'round these parts

[Selatius]

6. Then keep doing it. It's pissing off some rightist on the editorial board sifting through it all.

If this guy gets blasted enough with criticism on Republican policy, he might just blow a gasket. Make his day a bad day.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. He goes to a coffee shop that I frequent from time to time

I have told him in person what I think.

Usually he not only blows a gasket, but I ruin his day.

One day, I am not kidding, he was readying Atlas Shrugged

I started whistling the International

He was PISSED

I went, so what, free country! For the moment.

He was really pissed after that one

[Selatius]

11. Wow, he actually recognizes L'Internationale?

I'm impressed. Most Repubs are never that aware of something like that, much less the typical person on the street.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. He is a harvard grad

so he does...

We are almost on a first name basis

Assuming bitch and asshole are first names

;-)

And locally the local progressive radio station is on to him as well

[Selatius]

15. Now I'm really curious about the context of his learning L'Internationale

It must've been a terribly one-sided study of leftist economic philosophy. At my school, the business department doesn't even broach the issue. I know because I'm in it. They imply their way is the only way simply by not exploring alternative economic models or even mixed economic models, such as Sweden or France. They teach the free market, how it works, intellectual/property rights, but little much beyond that, such as co-operativism or socialism. Hell, even fewer universities and colleges touch on the newer economic models such as free market socialism.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Any history course which was descent even played it

he went to school in the sixties... and I am sure his profs played it... some of the specialists in the USSR were part of the Harvard faculty back then

[lebkuchen]

19. Bush graduated from Harvard.

Trust me, he doesn't know anything about L'Internationale.

Cambridge and Oxford are concerned about their #2 and 3 ranking, below Harvard, as the best universities in the world. When considering the caliber of political leadership Harvard has pumped out of late (our 8-year albatross), I don't think Cambridge and Oxford have anything to worry about.

[Wetzelbill]

9. hey just keep doing your thing

It's great.

But, yes, anybody can make that mistake. I do it all the time. It's tough to catch. :)

[Mythsaje]

5. Writer AND reviewer

We just can't help it.

[Wetzelbill]

7. it's like a curse

And it seems like most of our country is barely literate. Reading comment sections on different websites is almost enought to make my head explode. :)

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Ayep

trust me, at times it drives ME nuts

[Mythsaje]

21. Signs at workplaces make me crazy...

I want to scream "HEY! If you'll pay me to do it, I'll proofread all this shit! C'mon, people. How can you post something like this and not hang your head in shame?"

Makes me nuts.

[zbdent]

22. Don't forget about the big blackout

that sent the northeastern part of the whole f*cking United States into the dark ...