Saturday, January 17, 2009

3 Days until Inauguration - The Governor's Choice Awards for Infrastructure Development.

Also known as 'Who can't live within their budgets?'

OR

'Who ever elected Bush president in the first place?'


Feb. 25 (2008) —As NGA kicks-off its centennial celebration, the nation's current governors "recreated" the 1908 photo during the annual governors' meeting with the president.

Front Row (left to right): Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, North Carolina Governor Michael F. Easley, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (NGA Chair) President George W. Bush, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell NGA (Vice Chair), West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, Puerto Rico Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Kentucky Governor Steven L. Beshear


Second Row (left to right): California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Washington Governor Christine O. Gregoire, Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Maine Governor John Baldacci, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Guam Governor Felix Perez Camacho, Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno Fitial, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri, American Samoa Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono


Third Row (left to right): Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, Vermont Governor James H. Douglas, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, South Dakota Governor M. Michael Rounds, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, Iowa Governor Chet Culver

You know there has to be something very, very "W"rong when California with the sixth largest economy in the world 'can't cut it.'

And I love the way 'The Governator' simply 'turns the tables' on the California Legislature stating he wants to build a better California, but, can't find harmony with the budget. Is that a politician in survival mode or what?

Then yesterday, Duval Patrick comes up with this 'bright idea' about improving infrastructure. Massachusetts' Patrick wants to build roads to 'nowhere.' Ready for this?

In his estimation what needs to be done for Massachusetts is to build roads where no houses yet exist. Huh? And he calls it "Spurring Private Development." Wait. A. Minute. There. I don't think so.

...The federal funds would help foot the bill for highway ramps, parking garages, or rail stations that are typically paid for by builders, who are already struggling for financing during the current downturn....

This is some of the worst priorities for government spending I've witnessed yet. The 'turn around' to the economy is supposed to be limited to six months to 'beef up' the tax base to allow for more income to the USA Treasury which will lead to more infrastructure building which will lead to more jobs, etc., etc., etc.

To begin, the nation doesn't need anymore construction. It doesn't need any more houses being built or any more buildings for business. THAT IS OLD STYLE INFRASTRUCTURE. What the country desperately needs are 'jobs' that return incomes to families so they can buy houses or KEEP homes already in foreclosure. Infrastructure projects that undermine priorities such as rebuilding bridges and enhancing economic opportunity with longevity ARE NOT good ideas.

Repairing dangerous roadways and highways that have been neglected because of draconian cuts in federal spending in DC should be addressed, but, to provide 'expansive' building projects in addition to what is already a deflated housing/building/real estate market is NOT the best venue for change in the USA.

The best venues for sustainable futures and jobs include enhancing the tourism industry while providing for those 'road trips' and 'consumer commutes' across safe roads and bridges. The responsible return of the Public School System with creative new ideas for enhancing the learning experience with computers and their software, putting the nation's health care system to work for employment, turning to areas of Conservation to return to work public employees or contract companies engaged in 'caring for nature' and 'protecting endangered species and forests.'

Ultimately, supportive projects for rail services and bus routes that alleviate the COST of owning and operating an internal combustion engine have to be engaged. I remind that even OPEC has stated the reduction in oil prices is only temporary due to poor insight in global inventories and the higher prices will return no later than November of 2009. What 'kind of' Governor ignores that impact on the citizens of their state.

The prudent Governor will take this opportunity to prepare their state for vast changes in energy and infrastructure that will provide for 'better quality of life' which means 'higher disposible incomes.' Does Massachusetts actually want to continue to receive 'charity' oil shipments from Venezuela? I would hope not. So why squander this time and these monies on what seems like 'shovel ready' projects when certain economic disaster is ready to revisit the citizens of any state at the end of this year?

What I believe President Elect Obama is looking for at the end of six months is a positive 'up tick' to the economy, but, also some real genius in managing a vast amont of money that will be released to the states to help with their Republican Imposed Plight. I would hope, 'at the end of any day' any Governor in the USA can have a sense of accomplishment and some 'real in-roads' to long term employment for the state's citizens that contribute to a larger budget 'wind fall' for the states and federal government. We have to succeed. There is no option. We can fund our own recovery, but, we have to have 'the best of the best' Governors extend their long term view and protect us from a 'return' of high energy and fuel costs due to arrive by the end of 2009.

I do believe the USA has some of the best Governors this country has to offer. They need to take their 'states' bull by the horns' and make it all work. That doesn't mean 'selling out' to crony interests or short term 'bounces' that will 'in the long view' have been more costly than prudent.

Go, Governors, Go !!!