Spending Bill Has ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ for Everglades

scholle-kid · Post by **scholle-kid** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:03 pm

A proposed “bridge to nowhere into the Florida Everglades — a project a federal judge described as "a complete waste of taxpayer dollars — is one of 9,000 pork barrel projects buried inside President Barack Obama's giant spending bill, The Washington Times reports.

Designed to bridge the Tamiami Trail roadway to allow water to flow freely through the Everglades, the project faces the opposition of local Native Americans. Miccosukee Tribe officials say the goal could be accomplished “simply by getting public employees to clean out some culverts and build

Tribe officials wrote in a letter last week to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, swales.D-Calif., that the provision will harm the Everglades and “add another sad chapter to the lamentable history of mistreatment and exploitation of American Indians and reach a landmark in irresponsible spending, The Miami Herald reports.

Despite the tribe’s objections — and a judge’s ruling in November that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hadn't performed adequate studies to construct the 1-mile bridge — Democrats in Congress approved the giant budget bill last week with $183 million for Everglades projects, including $60 million for the bridge. Environmentalists contend that improving water flow is important for an overall Everglades restoration project.

Also tucked into the bill is a provision crafted to get around the tribe’s lawsuit blocking the Tamiami bridge project, The New York Times reports. Tribe attorney Dexter Lehtinen says Congress is trying to undermine tribal legal rights. He also points out that Congress allowed the corps to disregard federal environmental laws surrounding the project.

“You tell the tribe to follow the law, but when the tribe follows the law and wins, you throw them out of court, says Lehtinen, whose wife is Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.

In addition to $60 million for the Tamiami bridge, the spending bill includes $4.4 million for the C-111 canal in South Miami-Dade County, $28 million to extend Kissimmee River restoration, and $74 million to speed repairs on the Lake Okeechobee dike.

Newsmax.com - Spending Bill Has ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ for Everglades

How blatant does the politicians in Washington have to get before American voters snap ? In this approved bill they have tucked a provision crafted to get around the tribe’s lawsuit, in this lawsuit it plainly states that the goal could be accomplished “simply by getting public employees to clean out some culverts and build swales.

Totally ignored ajudge’s ruling in November that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hadn't performed adequate studies to construct the 1-mile bridge ...and the lists of bills and the millions of dollars goes on and on and on

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:24 pm

This is just one of the many. People are getting very outraged and vocal about all the crazy spending and manipulation under the guise of "stimulus". When I listen to the news and what's happening, it sounds like more and more like revolutionary talk.................... yet we are the "home of the free", aren't we?

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:27 pm

What's next? the bridge for alligator's to cross? Have to agree Kindle, the pork in the stimulus is disgusting to say the least.

scholle-kid · Post by **scholle-kid** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:14 pm

Do you figure if Americans were to remember it is our responsibility to question our government that it might make a difference? Would the majority have the 'nerve' to question the Government or would they be afraid that all the 'free lunch' would be stopped? I am just asking questions here, by no means am I passing judgement or pointing fingers.

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:21 pm

Am I the only one on here bobbing and weaving between potholes? These are the same roads I had to sit and wait on last apring thru fall because they were being repaved. Traffic is at a standstill from spring to winter and we pay millions every year for roads that can't withstand one winter?

Someone is profiting all across the country on these projects. I want the local governments to make these companies fix the work they've already done before they get any stimulus money for new projects!

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:23 pm

I had planned to buy a new furnace and air conditioner this year and instead I put my tax refund directly on a credit card bill. In this economy, I may wait another year or two and just pray what I have holds up.

scholle-kid · Post by **scholle-kid** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:58 pm

flopstock;1151828 wrote: Am I the only one on here bobbing and weaving between potholes? These are the same roads I had to sit and wait on last apring thru fall because they were being repaved. Traffic is at a standstill from spring to winter and we pay millions every year for roads that can't withstand one winter?

Someone is profiting all across the country on these projects. I want the local governments to make these companies fix the work they've already done before they get any stimulus money for new projects!

Here is a link to a site that gives the American voter a voice that is heard. every time I have used this site to tell my senators or congressmen something I have received a reply /Thank you email from my senators or congressmen office. And for what it's worth I used this site several times before I ever made a contribution .

Citizens Against Government Waste: Homepage

scholle-kid · Post by **scholle-kid** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:13 pm

Now flopstock why in the world would be acting like a spoiled brat about silly things such as furnace and air conditioner when there are

furniture companies in 11 states that need your money oh so much worse than you do? ( btw, this is sarcasm as pure as driven snow )

Tom Schatz, the waste watch warrior at Citizens Against Government, reports taxpayers have been bilked out of $95 billion since 1985 to research new wood technologies for the furniture companies in 11 states

or

$22 million for an addition to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, money for tattoo removal .

Tom"]http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/200 ... epository/

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:05 pm

flopstock;1151828 wrote: Am I the only one on here bobbing and weaving between potholes? These are the same roads I had to sit and wait on last apring thru fall because they were being repaved. Traffic is at a standstill from spring to winter and we pay millions every year for roads that can't withstand one winter?

Someone is profiting all across the country on these projects. I want the local governments to make these companies fix the work they've already done before they get any stimulus money for new projects!

Maybe states have to take the 'low bid' and we get what we pay for..............

I've read about techniques using old tires in road resurfacing and they are suppose to last a long time. However, they cost more. But woulnd't it be a grand place to offload all those tires no one wants..................

Post by **Sunshine** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:11 pm

flopstock;1151828 wrote: Am I the only one on here bobbing and weaving between potholes? These are the same roads I had to sit and wait on last apring thru fall because they were being repaved. Traffic is at a standstill from spring to winter and we pay millions every year for roads that can't withstand one winter?

Someone is profiting all across the country on these projects. I want the local governments to make these companies fix the work they've already done before they get any stimulus money for new projects!

Speaking of roads. The one I live off of is falling apart, literally. My poor car has been taking a real beating this year. Maybe I won't pay my property taxes until they fix it. Bet the neighbors would sign a petsion if I made one up. It is a shame that we pay every year for road work that isn't getting done.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:16 pm

The streets and highways across America are hurting for maintenance. It is pure madness that we continue to build more while the ones we have already built are falling apart. Transportation system managers can get money for streetscapes, plazas and decorative street lights but not enough to fill potholes. We have gone over the edge and common sense is no longer within reach.:-5

scholle-kid · Post by **scholle-kid** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:48 pm

When a road work 'project' is getting ready to start there is a sign with the 'name' of the project the date of completion and the projected costs and the price are always a whole string of numerals the anyone driving down the road has no chance of actually seeing at 60mph but once the project gets underway and the traffic is lined up for 1/2 mile and a 20 mintue wait that sign disappear. Not that it means any thing , except I'm guessing that way the state can say all the info was posted for any tax payer that cared to look.