Showing posts with label Governor John Kasich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Governor John Kasich. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

National Bully of 2011: The Republican Governors Five

Republican Governors Five
It must be nice to sign legislation that was rammed through a state legislature that does the following:

  • ·         Revoke the collective bargaining rights of public employees, especially targeting teachers
  • ·         Requiring those receiving state unemployment or welfare assistance to submit to mandatory drug testing at the recipients expense
  • ·         Cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate taxes while cutting hundreds of millions from the state’s Medicaid program
  • ·         Cutting state unemployment benefits while doling out billions in corporate welfare
  • ·         Empowering the governor to take over lesser governments and allowing the special administrator to null and void contracts
  • ·         Restricts a woman’s ability to have an abortion

These are just a few of the things that Governors Jan Brewer (AZ), Scott Walker (WI), John Kasich (OH), Rick Scott (FL) and Rick Snyder (MI) have done in the name of “smaller” government and balancing budgets.  They have systematically attacked the social safety net and worker protections of their various states and in turn have rightfully earned the wrath of voters.  Governors Brewer and Walker are facing recall efforts.  Governor Kasich saw his attempts to disenfranchise public workers go down in flames at the polls.

Though each of the named governors could easily be nominated as National Bully of 2011 in their own right, I am collectively nominating the Republican Governors Five as the National Bully of 2011!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Fuck the Governors, Go National High Speed Passenger Rail!

*NOTE*  Though this was written and posted on April 1, 2011, it is not an April Fool's posting.   What I have written is what I truly feel. - Phoenix Justice - 04-02-11

Republican governors across the nation are squashing attempts to build high speed passenger rail in their states.  Governor Rick Scott turned down over $2 billion in federal aid to build HSPR between Tampa and Orlando that would help alleviate traffic along the I-4 corridor.  This would have been the first leg in Florida's long range plan to connect Tampa, Orlando and Miami by HSPR.

Governor John Kasich turned away funds to create the 3-C Corridor that would have connected Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker also turned down federal HSPR funds, though some reports are stating he might be changing his mind.

All three governors are turning down billions in federal funding for HSPR that would create tens of thousands of good paying jobs in construction alone.  Not to mention the fact that these HSPR lines would be another option for those traveling along congested interstate corridors.

The nations of Europe have been investing in HSPR for decades and you can now go from London to Madrid via HSPR.  That's right, you can fly into London and travel through Europe on HSPR.  I love the idea of being able to go to an HSPR station, not having to deal with the airports and traveling in relative comfort.  I also love the idea of seeing this great nation as I travel from city to city.

Right now, I have three choices to go from Phoenix to Los Angeles: Airplane, car or bus.  Scary as the idea might be, I can actually drive to L.A. faster than going via the airlines.  I also get to see the amazing and constantly changing scenery.  Now imagine traveling by HSPR and not having to deal with traffic, construction zones or even airport security all for less than an airline ticket (in most cases).  Now, imagine our entire nation (except for Hawaii) being connected by HSPR.

I think the federal government should say "fuck you" to the various governors and institute a major HSPR initiative to connect all of the state capitals and major metropolitan areas.  Stop trying to negotiate with governors who have their own political agendas and ideology.  Announce that with or without the support of governors and the legislatures the federal government is going to build the HSPR network.

Use the awesome power that is the federal government to do what these lazy ass governors and their legislatures refuse to do.  Put hundreds of thousands of people to work building the HSPR.  Hell, it is the ultimate long term stimulus plan not to mention the most ambitious infrastructure project this nation has ever undertaken.

So, fuck the governors and go national high speed passenger rail!