Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Happy 232nd Birthday, America! But, isn't it again time to work for Independence?

grumpyolddude · 07-04-2008, 11:29 AM

The sea lampreys should have been enough of a wake up call that we are not being suitable stewards of the Great Lakes. When the zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Erie, that should have been the last straw.

For decades, developers have been required to make environmental impact studies before erecting shopping malls, housing subdivisions or routing new roads. It's way past time to take action to halt, and hopefully reverse the unfolding tragedy in the Lakes. It's time to shut out the ocean-going freighters. Agreement with Canadian authorities should not be hard to negotiate.

The US rail system has been underutilized and allowed to fall into disrepair. Investment into upgrading and expanding this segment of our infrastructure could be an economic boon for the nation. An increase in business for railway companies, freight handlers and local independent trucking firms would all spark a round of job growth, new orders for durable goods, and possibly, start a revival in the economies of our struggling "rust belt" states.

There would be loud howling from the multinationals, but they should be made to understand that this would be in their own long-term best interest. Healthy economies create more demands for goods and services. If it costs and extra dollar to get their goods to market, they'll make an extra $1.50 once they get there. Getting their stuff there cheaper has no payoff, if the market is stagnant due to rampant unemployment. It's time to be smart, fellas, not merely greedy.

ps. Happy Independence Day, Americans! Our founding fathers did a great and noble thing. We need to work harder at building on that legacy!

07-04-2008, 11:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
grumpyolddude Deliberately unfocused Location: Amazon.com and CDBaby	The sea lampreys should have been enough of a wake up call that we are not being suitable stewards of the Great Lakes. When the zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Erie, that should have been the last straw. For decades, developers have been required to make environmental impact studies before erecting shopping malls, housing subdivisions or routing new roads. It's way past time to take action to halt, and hopefully reverse the unfolding tragedy in the Lakes. It's time to shut out the ocean-going freighters. Agreement with Canadian authorities should not be hard to negotiate. The US rail system has been underutilized and allowed to fall into disrepair. Investment into upgrading and expanding this segment of our infrastructure could be an economic boon for the nation. An increase in business for railway companies, freight handlers and local independent trucking firms would all spark a round of job growth, new orders for durable goods, and possibly, start a revival in the economies of our struggling "rust belt" states. There would be loud howling from the multinationals, but they should be made to understand that this would be in their own long-term best interest. Healthy economies create more demands for goods and services. If it costs and extra dollar to get their goods to market, they'll make an extra $1.50 once they get there. Getting their stuff there cheaper has no payoff, if the market is stagnant due to rampant unemployment. It's time to be smart, fellas, not merely greedy. ps. Happy Independence Day, Americans! Our founding fathers did a great and noble thing. We need to work harder at building on that legacy! __________________ "Regret can be a harder pill to swallow than failure .With failure you at least know you gave it a chance..." David Howard Last edited by grumpyolddude; 07-04-2008 at 11:32 AM..