Pelosi’s back door pork

While the Republicans are trying to rein in deficit spending, this administration is doing its darnedest to spend money we don’t have. This time, the beneficiary is San Francisco, home to Representative Nancy Pelosi (D. Ca.).  Here is the most recent scam.

San Francisco wants to build a subway in Chinatown.  Right now, before a shovel of dirt has been turned, the project is estimated to cost $1.6 billion for the 1.7 mile line.  Nope, no typo there…almost $1billion per mile.  But, the facts get even better.

The subway misses connections with 25 of the 30 light-rail and bus lines that it crosses, and there is no direct connection to the 104-mile Bay Area Rapid Transit line or to the ferry…Tom Rubin, the former treasurer-controller of Southern California Rapid Transit District, calculates that taking the bus would be five to 10 minutes faster along every segment.

Now, the punch line.  San Francisco has applied for a full funding grant agreement from the Federal Transit Administration for 60% of the projected cost, or, $942 million.  And it looks like, under Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s new rules, this project will “go to the head of the class”.

Old rules…a direct quote from Mr. LaHood:

Measuring only cost and how fast a project can move the most people  the greatest distance simply misses the boat.

New rules…also a direct quote from Mr. LaHood,

…people tell me they want…the opportunity to leave their cars behind…And to enjoy clean, green neighborhoods.  The old way of doing things just doesn’t value what people want.

So, from Washington, where cost efficiency and common sense are now passe, all taxpayers will have the opportunity to pay for this San Francisco boondoggle.

Do you think Ms. Pelosi will send us a thank you note?

 

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SoundOffSister

The Sound Off Sister was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and special trial attorney for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; a partner in the Florida law firm of Shutts & Bowen, and an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, School of Law. The Sound Off Sister offers frequent commentary concerning legislation making its way through Congress, including the health reform legislation passed in early 2010.

10 Comments

  1. Eric on August 23, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    This is called buying votes, something that politicians do too much of. ?As for Madam Pelosi, the woman has no shame!



  2. JollyRoger on August 24, 2011 at 12:09 am

    They say that to do nothing is to, “kick the can down the road”- just ask Lowell P. Weicker!!!?????? But never is there any remorse when they kick the taxpayer down the road!? And I’m sure my grandson’s got a democrat boot up his ass already, he just doesn’t know it yet because he hasn’t been conceived!



  3. rachel on August 24, 2011 at 6:13 am

    CT will have the bus to nowhere & San Fran will have the subway to nowhere.? I sense a theme.?
    This is Nowhere Man’s administration spending taxpayer dollars to the very best of its ability. As a nation, we’ve gotten nowhere — after three_long_years_ of this not-so-amiable dunce.???



  4. Dimsdale on August 24, 2011 at 11:29 am

    As a victim of Massachusetts’ “Big Dig”, I can safely say that the $1.6 billion estimate will be a gross underestimate.
    ?
    ?



  5. Edmondo on August 24, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    At 15k per inch it makes the “Magic Bus” look like a bargain at only 9k per inch.



  6. Gary J on August 24, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Well that just makes me want a subway right here on my street.



  7. Gary J on August 24, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    blumie are you listening?



  8. Lynn on August 25, 2011 at 8:10 am

    Just when I thought the govt. couldn’t get any stupider, we get a Sesame Street change of rules for FTA.? Is LaHood Big Bird in disguise?



  9. GdavidH on August 25, 2011 at 9:34 pm

    Crysta4?????

    Sammy???????



  10. NH-Jim on August 26, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    Common denominator=
    Nancy Pelosi + John Larson + Chris Murphy
    Lay the blame right on these three.? They are thieves, not congresspeople.
    Plus, they have no common sense.



square-pelosi

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