RightMichigan.com || Facts Are Stubborn Things

Advertise on RightMichigan.com

NEWS TIPS!

RightMichigan.com

Buzz

Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?
Tweets about "#RightMi, -YoungLibertyMI, -dennislennox,"

Raise the curtain.

Facts Are Stubborn Things

By JGillman, Section News
Posted on Sat Oct 08, 2011 at 11:21:03 PM EST
Tags: Billions, DRIC, NICT, BAD IDEA, Snyder, Bridge, Canada, Michigan, Suckers, Crony Capitalism, Taxpayers (all tags)

But which facts?

In an attempt to lure lawmakers into thinking popular opinion is on the side of committing Michigan to a boondoggle project that is the NITC, the administration is now pushing polls that seem to show consensus. At least once "they know the facts." A couple of weeks ago from the Ivory Tower:

"Two-thirds of Michigan voters support Gov. Rick Snyder's plan for a new bridge to Windsor once they understand Canada's role in helping to pay for the span, new poll results showed Monday.
Conducted for the corporate leadership group Business Leaders for Michigan, the poll of 600 likely voters showed that 62% favored building the public bridge and 33% opposed it. "

Business Leaders for Michigan, which portrays itself as a competitive business group is comprised of such conservative giants as Mary Sue Coleman, Timothy Collins, John Bryant, and other rent seeking, rely on government for their success types. I mean Gerard Anderson of DTE? Jon Barfield? Daniel Akerson of GM? And those are just a few on the list.

Folks, I present to you the greatest collection of crony capitalists this side of Wall Street. And they are all in our back yard. In this writer's view, these folks wouldn't understand a free market business model if it hit them on the head with a hard bound copy of Atlas Shrugged. The few Republicans you may find in the overall group are names added to give credibility to the rest and still does not guarantee their business models are not reliant on government handouts, intervention or "collaboration." (Read: taking from us to make their model work)

And these lefty supporting, steal from the taxpayer types want the bridge and are pushing heavily for it.

~ More below ~

Facts are debatable. At least when it comes to politics and its place in moving money.

This particular poll came at a cost. The group which paid for it has interests embedded in the overall project. The argument might be that manufacturers can get their goods over the river more quickly, but up till now that has not been sufficient to persuade lawmakers to budge. An argument might be that we will be experiencing wonderful growth in the export side of manufacturing within ten years, yet the reality is more likely a stagnant remnant of what we see today. The crossing's peak usage, over ten years ago reminds us we would still have capacity if not for new security rules.

And THAT is a function of existing government responsibilities.

There seems to be no GOOD reason other than the lines of waiting vehicles, a problem that can be solved by allowing the current owner of the international bridge to complete his second span. If that doesn't solve it, then as pointed out above, the customs issue is the problem. Seems that could be solved without a 2 Billion dollar commitment by taxpayers. Yes TAXPAYERS through the federal system, if not from our pockets in Michigan directly.

There is something far more left handed underneath the desire to build a bridge with Michigan's capitulation.

The souls that were sold for their stake in the business enterprises of these "business leaders", are envious of an arrangement that leaves a certain bridge owner without certain restrictions they see as necessary. A monopoly granted by a treaty and a business model that makes no sense to compete against UNLESS there is government assistance.

Its just not fair.

These guys are lined up like whores at a free clinic waiting for an opportunity to jump in on a new government game. And by golly even with the 500 million Canadian LOAN that a new bridge and its fares could not even pay back, they are chomping at the bit for a new way to milk the system. But the legislature is still reticent, and the penicillin is not potent enough.

A bit strong you say?

One should ask, if it is such a good deal, and the fares will pay the cost, why don't they do it themselves WITHOUT government? It is an option.

Using what was likely 'push' poll, designed to skew the opinions and move resistance by legislators to the trash can, the "business leaders" will once again attempt to prove there are suckers born every minute. And even more often in Michigan.

Fact of life I suppose.

And facts are indeed stubborn things.

And THEN there is this. Ni hao Michigan.

< Spotlight: Dearborn, The Most Costly City Of Residence In Michigan | Affirmative Action Meets The Peter Principle Part Deux: Ficanogate >

Share This:

Facts Are Stubborn Things | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)

You hit the nail on the head right here... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by KG One on Sun Oct 09, 2011 at 07:44:40 AM EST

...with this quick summation of the problem:

"There seems to be no GOOD reason other than the lines of waiting vehicles, a problem that can be solved by allowing the current owner of the international bridge to complete his second span."

Your right...there isn't!

The governor doesn't drive over the border.

Most of the Michigan Legislature doesn't drive over the border.

Neither does Akerson, Coleman, et al (I'll go out on a limb here and say even somewhat regularly).

Between the Blue Water and Ambassador Bridges (I prefer the former), THE main problem you have with crossing over the border is because of delays with customs.

This reminds me of an analogy someone gave me over the radio a few months back.

Government: The thing that breaks both of your legs, and then tries to make things better by offering to sell you a pair of crutches to help you get around.

There once was a time when going over the border can be summarized by the following exchange:

Customs: Citizenship?

Me: US

Customs: Purpose for your visit.

Me: Delivering automotive parts to/from Canada

Customs: Thank you, drive safely.

Those days are long gone. Now I need to have a clipboard full of documentation for myself, my cargo, my truck (I still won't get FASTPASS) and a laundry list of completed forms and paperwork that I never needed before. And I'm not even going to go into the false alarms from the sensors and scans I've dealt with.

You want to improve border crossing times?

Deal with the real problem: Customs.

Self Proclaimed Business Leaders for Michigan (none / 0) (#2)
by Republican Michigander on Sun Oct 09, 2011 at 05:38:08 PM EST

These guys have some good ideas, but they also support the sales tax on services and public funding for mass transit (Wally trains?).

I also have a real people of a group calling themselves "Business Leaders." It's arrogant. I own a business, and I'll lead myself.

Meant to type problem, not people* by Republican Michigander, 10/10/2011 01:11:22 AM EST (none / 0)

Nothing has changed (none / 0) (#4)
by Corinthian Scales on Mon Oct 10, 2011 at 09:03:09 AM EST

And the Canucks hate it too.

Oh but we have taken out most of the things that Legislators objected about. It is a nice clean Bill that everyone can now accept, right! That is what the three Wise Men PLUS one, the Governerd, Lt. Governerd, the MDOT Director and the Treasurer will tell everyone.
Yup, we should believe a Governerd who says there is a "unique agreement" where there is none, a Lt. Governerd who opposed DRIC, an MDOT Director whose Department was accused by four Legislators of alleged fraudulent misrepresentations and withholding of material facts during testimony on the proposed Detroit International River Crossing (DRIC) project and the Treasurer, the former Democratic House Leader who supported DRIC.
Sure they have done all of that except if you still believe in legislative oversight, there is none. Canada is no longer an Instrumentality of Government of Michigan, it is now a "public agency" with all of their powers.
If you have an 18-wheeler, you can drive through the "availability payments "and the "eminent domain" prohibition loopholes.