gregorygarver.com

Bob · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 4

Last year's huge $286-billion federal transportation bill included a little-noticed slice of pork pushed by Harry Reid that provided benefits not only for the casino town of Laughlin, Nev., but also, possibly, for the senator himself.Reid called funding for construction of a bridge over the Colorado River, among other projects, "incredibly good news for Nevada" in a news release after passage of the 2005 transportation bill. Harry Reid failed to mention, though, that just across the river in Arizona, he owns 160 acres of land several miles from proposed bridge sites and that the bridge could add value to his real estate investment.We have bridges collapsing due to lack of maintenance, but Harry Reid gets a new bridge that adds value to his own personal property? Is this the democratic culture of corruption?Ladies & Gentlemen, Don't shoot the messenger. Yes both sides of the fence are guilty of this, however I remember during the election that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid saying they were going to eliminate pork spending. Funny how now that they are in power they now are leading the charge, they can't spend the money fast enough.

LibsRwimps · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

Yes, but you're not supposed to point out Democrat corruption.

nikoco8 · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 7

i think i should say yes but it hurts my taco and muffin filled brain to think about it

john_mcd_77 · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

That's how federal politics works today.If you want them to fix the existing bridges, they'll need to raise taxes. In the meantime, we can build bridges in the middle of nowhere - so long as a politician lives nearby.

KookooBananas · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

Yes, that's corrupt and self-servicing. If true, he needs to be held accoountable. I am sick of these politicians!

T_Rae · Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

You bet it is. It's a very sad state of affairs.

PIStaker · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

Pork is never good, but is this really limited to the Democratic Party? Shouldn't all special spending bills be required to be independent bills so that they are only passed if they are truly note-worthy?

UndergroundMan · Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 4

Yeah, Democratic culture of corruption all right. I see a clear pattern of a whole whopping one example here. Meanwhile, the Republican scandals keep coming non-stop, every day.

jond · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

Yes,the republicans did the same thing with Gov Leavitt in power--his family got rich off the same tatics

lost_in_transit326 · Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8

I hate what politicians get away with these days....Yes, it is very corrupt.Perhaps you can write an editorial to your local newspaper or maybe a couple, so perhaps this guy will not get reelected.

spacedude4 · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 4

Harry Reid is a 20 year veteran of Politics and is an excellent player of "pork barrell politics". While questionable, this is probably not illegal. MOST Politicans have similar projects in their own States. Despite what the Democrats claimed they would do when they took over from the Republicans this last Election, they have done little except more "pork barrell politics"! Same thing, different group of people involved! Nancy Pelosi is also a 20 veteran of Politics! ALL Politicians should have term limits, kick the people out before they become corrupt and get the ability to be me, me, me!

ConcernedCitizen · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

Yes, but so is Cheney's $20,000,000 deal with Halliburton. A lot of politicians are corrupt. As Robin Williams said in "Man of the Year", "Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed frequently, and for the same reason."

Jim · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 5

Although I don't know the economical impact that a bridge would have on land "several miles" away, I would assume that would depend on the infrastructure that leads to the specific land parcels you are talking about. Is the bridge necessitated by traffic flow analysis? Will the bridge provide for increased trade, tourism, and revenues for the state? Will the bridge attach to major traffic corridors like I-10, or I-8 or any other major traffic artery? The necessity to maintain existing infrastructure should not preclude expanding infrastructure to handle current or projected needs and I don't feel qualified to throw a "corruption flag" on this one, and doubt you to be qualified as well.