Tag: Bridges

We seldom use such direct attacks in a title even though the content has tended to be more direct as of late.  And though we openly wonder on why certain pursuits exist, the Detroit bankruptcy really drives home a point that cannot be ignored.  The bankruptcy had to happen, and even though happening later than it should have been, Snyder gets some credit for doing what is needed.

For the remainder of the message however, Stephanie quotes Forbes and opines:

"In light of Detroit's bankruptcy case getting national attention, many people have missed this little development:

Detroit's Tunnel To Canada Follows The City Into Bankruptcy.  

Since 1930, Detroiters have had two choices to reach Windsor, Ontario across the U.S.-Canadian border: the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.

Now, the tunnel's operator has joined the city in seeking bankruptcy protection. It's blaming two reasons, according to Reuters: reduced traffic across the border, and the same kind of unmanageable debt burden that led to the city's Chapter 9 petition.

If Michigander's might recall, Governor Rick Snyder, as part of his campaign platform, ran advocating for a second bridge to Canada to be built, using at least partly, taxpayer money.  One has to ask, in considering this little plan of his, did he not research the profitability of the two existing means by which to get to Canada (the Windsor Tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge)?  If he didn't do the research that makes Governor Snyder just stupid.  If he did do his due diligence, he would have seen the enormous operating losses of the Tunnel."

Forget about the new international bridge crossing costing, or NOT costing us a dime as the arguments are made.  Forget about traffic numbers being 45% of their once peak, or the other side's arguing for relief from backups that slow down economic activity.  Take away those arguments about whether 'infrastructure' should be owned by private enterprise, or whether its appropriate to destroy a business to correct the situation.

And just plain abandon those arguments for, or against, Ford's ability to import Chinese transmissions through the newest NAFTA super highway component.

All of those arguments have legitimate standing.  They also have placed good folks in opposition to other good folks argumentatively, frustrating conversation outcomes, and in fact causing minor political realignments. Perhaps causing a rift within the Michigan Republican party itself. Perhaps because some Republicans would not follow the lead of a moderate governor who decided to make his Democrat predecessor's goal his own.

But Rick Snyder was not supposed to be "political".  And we have now found out what that means.

Politics is indeed a game of give and take.  Building on goodwill, an elected leader can do much to move a personal agenda, but is limited to the prevailing common sense provided by greater numbers in leadership and historical precedent. There will be certain things that even the most skilled politicos will not be able to accomplish, as they are sufficiently questionable or in opposition to the values and principles of governing majorities.  There are some areas of 'principle', or simply hardened resolve that cannot be breached, no matter the personality or politics involved.

A politician who recognizes his or her limits within THOSE rules, will concentrate on efforts to maximize in areas of agreement, and use developed goodwill to work on the marginal things outside of those areas.  In some cases quid pro quo, and alternately, with others brokering for their own advantages.

But our governor has no use for that system.

That's just fine, because even though you are lucky enough to have made a few of the right votes along the way, there is one issue you openly advocated that puts you square in the not such a big thinker zone. (I'll get to that in a minute) Understood, you have a bud who might lose to such an unsophisticated scoundrel as myself, so I grant a little understanding for a little directness.  Out of nowhere you declared how our relationship will start, after I prevail in this election.

OK no problem. I have a great deal of respect for your positions on a number of issues other than a sense that you don't much like guns in the hands of young hunters.  You don't seem to mess around much, and that's great.  Even with some of the PAC donation's I am impressed even that you are willing to buck the hands that feed you.

Cool stuff mister.

And in fact, aside from your liquor induced honesty on Sunday, I like you.

It surely cannot be strictly economic development, as the low hanging fruit known as Right-To-Work is still quite doable.  It could not be a concern that growth will leave us stranded with an unworkable transport solution between Canada and the US, as simply adding a couple of booths for the Bluewater apparently eased traffic considerably this last holiday.  Add to that, the amount of traffic over the DIBC is still at historic lows.  And to boot, the owner of the DIBC wants to build a second span at NO cost to the taxpayer, and has actually done due diligence by purchases of property and right of ways on both sides.

No, there must be something else.

It almost seems ..emotional.

Yesterday was Michigan's birthday.

Our state has undergone a great deal of change over the last 175 years, and today can serve well as a history lesson for the country and itself.   Especially given the recent discussion with regard to government owned bridges, light rail, and other stimulus & economic development efforts funded with tax dollars, we should certainly note that some things never change.

Moroun, 84, and Stamper, 62, were sent to jail Thursday as punishment for their company being found in contempt of court. Judge Prentis Edwards said Detroit International Bridge Co. repeatedly failed to follow his orders to work with the state of Michigan and get the Gateway Project done.

The son of a Detroit judge who is set to impose contempt of court penalties against Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun has been appointed to the bench by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.

It likely won't be Mr Moroun.

For the sake of integrity in the bench, perhaps in the executive branch in Lansing, I want to see a really good reason.  I am really seriously shaken by this if it is true.

For those of you watching the International Bridge debate you already know that HB 4961  has been passed.  It cleared with an yea vote on June 3, wholly supported by the Michigan Democrat representatives. Not a single Republican voted in favor of it, and I guess you could say the dissent was indeed bipartisan, as Democrat reps: Bledsoe, Brown, T., Cushingberry,   Dean, Durhal, Lemmons, Liss, Mayes and Neumann sided with the wisdom of the Republicans in the room opposing the measure..

A reasonable way to know how wretched the effects of such a bill might really be, would be to look at that kind of line up.  That type of vote indicates a strong lobbying presence on one side of the aisle not at all respected by the other.  Further, it demonstrates that the few Democrats who really understand and oppose HB4961 are so turned off, that they would buck their party.