Bridges and government

The bridge collapse is Minnesota is heart-breaking, and I feel for all of the families involved, especially those who haven't officially gotten word. It's very irritating to see our government fail us like this, in the richest country in the world. It's events like this that make me so angry at the Republican philosophy of government. Sure, everyone wants to get rid of waste and ridiculous spending in our government, but whittling the system down so much that it cannot protect and serve us is stupid. Do those on the right not realize how much we rely on this shared system we have? Schools, roads, fire, police, food inspection, and more VERY important things! It's almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy: if you cut off funding so that you cripple government services, of COURSE they will do a poor job. Slacktivist notes that Minnesota's Republican governor vetoed a transportation package earlier this year, based on his promise to avoid any new taxes:

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's tax pledge, like all such pledges, was doomed to produce some short-sighted decisions because it prohibits consideration of a whole range of questions it ought to be Pawlenty's job to ask. When it comes to taxes, Pawlenty has pledged only to consider the question "How much?" That's a legitimate question and an important one. It is his job to ask that question. But it is also his job to ask, "What for?." A governor -- or a legislator, or a president -- who refuses to consider both questions is refusing to do the job.

Comments

[charlie]

Natalie...I can't let this one slip haha.
First foremost...speaking "bipartisan" if there is such a thing.
Do you realy belive the current state governments political affiliation was the cause of this accident?

What about the fact that "The bridge was deemed "structurally deficient" by the federal government as far back as 1990? Come on now we had 8 years of deocratic bliss during the 90's at the Federal level. Local was Republican. So in a sense can you not put some blame back at the hands of those whom elected? I mean if it was that bad in 1990...how many years prior was it neglected in order to reach that status?

Funny is that if you look at Oklahoma for example and our I-40 bridge problem in OKC. That bridge is pretty scarry. And about the same age, yet we are just now getting to the point where it will be replaced...but how long will that take. Not to mention the issues of where they are placing the new bridge, which is right in the middle of the Hispanic neighborhoods. Some have gone as far to say that this is being done with purpose as that community has a smaller voice. Yet her we have had a democratic legislature for ohh since the formation of state hood up until recently.

Now I agree it is a failure of government that has lead to this problem and disaster. But really we need to open our eyes and realize that our government fails in these areas no matter what the political affiliation. For me it is a visual illistration of how the entire system is broken. This really isn't one you can hang on the heads of Repubs and Dems..but one that they both share the blame for and for us as a voting public for not demanding that our elected officials do what they are sent to do.

[Natalie]

Yes I think we citizens are definitely at fault too for letting our leaders get away with so much. And we complain whenever work DOES get done...I hate it when there's road construction!

I'll throw you a bone next time I criticize conservatives (because there will definitely be a next time) by pointing out something that Democrats have done wrong! Just kidding, although I HAVE been wanting to address what 2 Democrats, Obama and Hillary Clinton, have said lately about war/weapons that's pretty disturbing...

[charlie]

Thank you for for not calling me a "republican". Seems if you have a non 'liberal' view point you are an evil conservitive or republican. More libertarian which may be even more creepy.

Ahh yes, Obama and Hillary. I've actualy enjoyed this little game that is being played out. Seems the democrates have a strategy of a non successful military in the Middle East. It is ironic that good news for the Dems means we are loosing lives and those that want to kill all living creatures continue to do so. Where if things start to pick up that is bad news for the Dems. Whether you agree with what is going on in Iraq or not, the scenerio for success in politics is sick.
Thats OK. I'm holding out on Fred anyway :).
But i'd vote for Liberman if he ran again.

Now to bridges yes, I hate the construction as well. Dang city folk moving out to the country :)!!!

I think if we really looked closely at the true way that government was intended to operate many American's would not be happy. We have become lazy selfish people and it saddens me. I'm sure I would not even like it who knows.

How about this, if charitable orginazations and churchs did what they were supposed to how much government dependancy would there be? I'm sure you can answer this one much better than I. It is hard for us to look in the mirror and see a finger pointing at ourselves though (myself included.)

Hope all is well.