Comments on: Cramer secures funding for another project that should be local concern http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/ The Unpredictable Union of Pragmatism, Idealism, and Cynicism Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:10:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Flashpoint » Blog Archive » Alabama pork report http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-16733 Flashpoint » Blog Archive » Alabama pork report Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:53:53 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-16733 [...] to renovate a theater just to name a few - and that is just in Alabama. The list also includes the recently announced project to tear up a perfectly good road in Huntsville and replace it with a [...] [...] to renovate a theater just to name a few - and that is just in Alabama. The list also includes the recently announced project to tear up a perfectly good road in Huntsville and replace it with a [...]

]]> By: wayne http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-14020 wayne Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:28:53 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-14020 The Bud Cramer Patriot Bridge. I need to go out and get some thank you notes....What a magnamimous guy. The Bud Cramer Patriot Bridge. I need to go out and get some thank you notes….What a magnamimous guy.

]]> By: Lee P http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-13973 Lee P Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:47:17 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-13973 I read the same story in the Times today, and had exactly the same reaction as you. Huntsville is a wealthy city and can afford to build its own stinking bridge. This whole debate over "internal improvements" funded by the federal government goes back practically to the Founding. It was a huge issue throughout the 19th Century, when many so-called strict constructionists (most of them Democrats) fought against these kinds of projects on constitutional grounds. The constitutional argument is long lost, but surely Congress can come up with some method of determining which projects are sufficiently "national" in character that they warrant an outlay of federal funds. As it stands, the only method going is "You fund my bridge and I'll fund yours." That's not a good recipe for fiscal sanity or accountable government. I read the same story in the Times today, and had exactly the same reaction as you. Huntsville is a wealthy city and can afford to build its own stinking bridge.

This whole debate over “internal improvements” funded by the federal government goes back practically to the Founding. It was a huge issue throughout the 19th Century, when many so-called strict constructionists (most of them Democrats) fought against these kinds of projects on constitutional grounds. The constitutional argument is long lost, but surely Congress can come up with some method of determining which projects are sufficiently “national” in character that they warrant an outlay of federal funds. As it stands, the only method going is “You fund my bridge and I’ll fund yours.” That’s not a good recipe for fiscal sanity or accountable government.

]]> By: Reactionary http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-13927 Reactionary Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:54:09 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2007/11/18/cramer-secures-funding-for-another-project-that-should-be-local-concern/#comment-13927 I don't like the Monroe Street bridge - I think it's dangerous because the rise obstructs your sight at the intersection - can't see what's coming. I don’t like the Monroe Street bridge - I think it’s dangerous because the rise obstructs your sight at the intersection - can’t see what’s coming.

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