The Memo: Being Bold Is The Only Solution

In our nation's history, we are always at our best when we are at our boldest.  The Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, the Emancipation Proclamation, Seward's Folly, the building of the Hoover Dam, the creation of Social Security and Medicare, going to the moon, etc.  These were all bold steps for our nation, propelling us into an unknown, but ultimately better future.  It is when we are timid, implementing plans with the least resistance that our nation suffers.  To be at our best in these troubled times, we need to be bold.

Bold Plan #1: Rescind the Healthcare Affordability Act in its entirety and replace it with a simple Medicare for All plan, including allowing Medicare to use its buying power to lower drug costs.  By giving the option to everyone to purchase into the most efficient medical insurance system, we spread out the risk and make health care insurance available to everyone, not just to those that can afford it.

Bold Plan #2: Get rid of Medicaid and place all those currently on Medicaid into the Medicare system.  We all know that Medicaid was a grand experiment of cooperation between the states and the federal government to provide medical care to the poor and working poor.  But that "cooperation" is Medicaids biggest flaw.  It created inefficiencies that led to higher costs.  Also, by relying on the states to pay a portion of the program's costs, state politics trumped providing the necessary funds.  As we have seen in Arizona, Medicaid's budget was cut by over $500 million while the legislature provided over $500 million in tax cuts to corporations.

Bold Plan #3: Institute a complete overhaul of our infrastructure.  Replace all of our nation's crumbling bridges, roads and highways.  Create a national high speed passenger rail system connecting every major city.  Replace all of the crumbling pipes.  By implementing such a complete overhaul, we will put millions of people to work while also increasing our overall efficiencies.

Bold Plan #4: Replace our crumbling schools with palaces of learning.  By creating environments that are safe, bright, full of the latest technologies and conducive to learning, we will be better preparing our children for the future.

These are my bold plans, feel free to share your bold plans in the comment section.

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!