Issue of the Week: The Decider
Plus Hero and Jerk of the Week
His first fumble is over his promise to “kill the train” between Madison and Milwaukee, which would eventually link Wisconsin to the rest of the Midwest.
The problem is that killing the $800 million train also means Walker is killing $100 million worth of contracts already in play, more than 400 jobs now (and up to 5,000 jobs over the next two years) and multi-millions of more dollars for upgrades to Milwaukee’s transit infrastructure. Even the new Talgo plant at the Tower Automotive site is up in the air, since the company wouldn’t have this Wisconsin project in the pipeline.
Now, any smart businessperson would jump at the chance to finalize this project. After all, the federal government is providing $823 million for the rail line and local upgrades, while the state will only have to pay an estimated $750,000 per year—since the feds have said that they would cover 90% of the $7.5 million annual operating costs. Leveraging $750,000 a year to win an $823 million project, plus all of the added jobs and revenue and tax base? Sounds like a winner to us. And that’s why the money will go to another state that has a smarter governor than Wisconsin’s Walker. New York Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo has said that his state wants the $823 million if Wisconsin is foolish enough to give it up.
But Walker doesn’t see it that way because he’s a politician first and a chief executive second. He still believes the fantasy that the money can be used for highway upgrades—which, not surprisingly, will line the pockets of his biggest contributors.
Walker’s ultimate decision on the train is going to anger a lot of people. Whether Walker upsets the vast majority of the state that would benefit from this project or the small minority that backed his candidacy is up to him.
Hero of the Week
Caryl Anne Halfwassen
Caryl Anne Halfwassen is
a woman with a mission. As a volunteer with Kids Matter Inc., a nonprofit
dedicated to helping neglected and abused children in Milwaukee, Halfwassen works to make a
positive difference in the lives of society’s most vulnerable residents.
In October, Halfwassen
donated 140 snowsuits for infants and toddlers. She also gave more than 1,200
blankets and articles of clothing to infants entering the foster care system in
Milwaukee this
year.
“I came from a much
smaller community in central Illinois three
years ago, and I was truly shocked at the depth of the issues confronting
children, their families, caregivers and support agencies in Milwaukee,” Halfwassen says. “It is not just
the children who receive the donations that I think about. I also want to
assist the caregivers, caseworkers and medical staff. This is one less thing to
worry about.”
Halfwassen is one of
many volunteers at Kids Matter to use limited resources to make a huge
difference. To volunteer or donate, visit www.kidsmatterinc.org or call
414-344-1220.
Jerk of the Week
‘Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’ Columnist Patrick McIlheran
Now,
to be fair, the JS’s Patrick
McIlheran didn’t say that being gay was as bad as being a Nazi. It’s just sort
of in the same ballpark. McIlheran’s comparison of Spanish same-sex couples
kissing in full view of Pope Benedict to the murderous Nazi regime was a bit
over the top, even for the paper’s resident knuckle-dragger. (“Did they imagine
he’d never seen sin?” McIlheran wondered. “As a boy, he’d endured the rise and
fall of the Nazis: He’d seen far worse sorts of wrongdoing.”) Oh yes, the pope
certainly has seen all sorts of “wrongdoing.” McIlheran conveniently omits the
fact that the pope had seen the rise and fall of the Nazis because he was a
member of the Hitler Youth. And he forgot to mention that Benedict, back when he
was a cardinal, had been charged with “reviewing” cases of Catholic priests who
were accused of molesting children, “reviews” that let guilty priests off the
hook. Finally, McIlheran and the JS’s
nonexistent fact-checkers should note that simply being gay in Spain—even
kissing!—is not “wrongdoing,” since the Spanish parliament legalized same-sex
marriage back in 2005, the third country to do so.
Typical shepard ass numbers, Doyle stuch us with this money pit train remember it . Its a free puppy, not really free. And the fed shouldnt be so free in tossing millions of dollars around
You will call me 'WaukeshaTraitor' after this comment on the high-speed train. The issue was never the money, in Wisconsin it was always about black vs white. Wisconsin people want the money on the roads, not on pubilc transit, so that only people who can afford cars can ever be in their community. It will be easy for the local cops to profile based on the type of car they see.
Restoring segregation may also be why Walker was killing bus lines in Milwaukee. It's why businesses have been leaving Milwaukee, and moving to places out of reach of the buses. More than one way to render "Wisconsin Works" ineffective.
Look at the interactive election result charts in the Journal-Sentinel, look at the article that broke down what kind of people voted what way in the exit polls. The result was a combination of location and education. Location meant that those white-flighters who suffered the pain of Milwaukee's riots in 1967, and the backlash against chapter 220 school integration.
Education was clear. Those with a college education voted against the Tea Party Republican wave. But, we all know Wisconsin suffers brain-drain, the enlightened do not want to stay in a state filled with narrow-minded bigots. Milwaukee is still a throw-back to the 50's, look at the image of "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley", we even "Bronzed the Fonz"! It is a blue-collar working class town, which has now lost all those high-paying union jobs that enabled the white flight of the non-college class to those red-voting suburbs, outvoting the college class.
Just wait until those former union paychecks find that the Tea Party policies will be Wall Street friendly, but still jobless.
If you look at this chart it is just as much about money. Education is split almost even on those that voted between Dem and Republican and the same for households making under 50k. It's not always about race, Eugene.
Forgot the link,
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/106635128.html
First off, who do you think is paying the $800,000,000??? You make it sound like the federal gov't is getting this $$ from thin air. Speaking as an individual and small business owner who pays federal and state taxes, I'm really ok with the $100,000,000 write off to put a stop to the pork barrel feeding frenzy that this train project has become. It doesn't generate revenue, it doesn't link us to some previously unpenetratble resource, and there exists cheap bus transportation to and from all points in WI, especially Madison/Milwaukee. And finally, as with the Hiawatha line to Chicago, it will never generate the ridership needed to make it viable. Too many people will choose to drive directly to their destination as once the train deposits you, you still need to take a cab, bus etc. The 'business people' who actually create commerce won't bother with the inconvenience. Let the college kids and non drivers continue to take the Badger Bus.
Check your facts J..
First of all that 800m is considered spent by the Federal gov. The only question will be if were dumb enough not to use because guess what if we don't NY or IL will be happy to use it and guess what you willl still be paying for it. 2nd the Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago is on the pace to have had 800,000 riders this year. The think about that that 800,000 additional people on the roads or trying to cram on to flights. Every other installation of high speed has been successful in fact AMTRAK ridership has been surging especially since the last surge of gas prices. You maybe willing to pay 100m to get nothing but the rest of us sane people are not
Industry is dying out. And not florishing around the train depot downtown either. In fact the depot is dead broke for lack of renters in the new space. There is no EVIDENSE that a train system would pull in investments. (Even without Obama's goal to double the taxes on wealthy people who might invest in growth development projects.)
It's EVIDENCE, for crying out loud.
The train industry isn't dying out, Sky. Look to Japan, China, or all of Europe. High Speed trains are fast becoming their most efficient means of travel.
Yes, the spelling is terrible, but try to address the POINT @sky is making. He/she said Industry is dying out, not the train industry. With taxpayer subsidies of this rich-man's transport, I'm sure the train industry is doing fine. However, it is not bringing development- the downtown terminal can't keep a renter. Take a look at the stations between Milwaukee and Chicago- where's the development? It is not happening. Even the Journal-Sentinel says the job numbers thrown out there (5,000-15,000) are bunk. This train costs about $66 round trip- vs. about $10-$20 in gas, depending on what kind of car you drive. And the $66 price tag is SUBSIDIZED- doesn't even cover the full cost of the ride. Why do you hate poor people Meepos? Why do you want to subsidize the travel of evil wealthy people who can afford to take a train to Madison? The train won't go to Madison's industrial or research parks, so what jobs will it reach? How will the people of Milwaukee's inner city get to the train? And what does Europe or China have to do with whether or not we should subsidize a train to Madison? (By the way, I drive to Madison faster than the train travels...it's not high-speed rail). Like most progressive ideas, this feels good but does no good and actually hurts in the long run- we have to borrow the $800 million in "free" money that is being dangled in front of us.
Let Sky defend themself, Pyg.......
Where do I say I hate poor people? Please point that out to me? For the last time, Pyg; get your head out of your rear end.
And, for the love of god, read my posts before you comment on them. I addressed Sky's point; countries with light rail systems can have booming economies. Japan, China, Great Britain, and Germany all have strong global economies and they all utilize light rail transportation.
Where are you pulling these price and speed points? This is a train that doesn't exist yet, but somehow you know how much it costs and how fast it will go? I suppose you're basing it off of the cost of a train ticket to Chicago; which, as we all know, is utilized exclusively by the world's wealthiest elite. There's no way the working class can afford to take the train down to Chicago. Or take the city bus to get to the train station. Or walk, for that matter. This is sarcasm, by the way.
The $66 figure and the estimated speeds have been widely reported. I'll even pick out a lefter leaning publication. Speaking of which, it boggles the mind how vastly superior Isthmus is to the SE -
http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=30606
"The proposed "high speed" rail option is a bit of a misnomer, since the train will initially average 58 mph. The line would be comparable to Badger Bus in terms of trips per day and travel times, although the train would have fewer pickup points and less route flexibility. The price is also higher, with a round-trip ticket expected to cost about $66."
Obviously, meepos hasn't been listening. Or reading the posts he comments on. Seriously- Japan has a strong economy? That's too uninformed to even comment on. The prices and speed points all come from the DOT, Frankie B, and those organizations that are building the train. And seriously- "Look to Japan, China, or all of Europe"??? That's what you call "addressing the point? How about we look to France, where they riot to put the businesses out of business while complaining that there won't be any jobs. Yeah, we should emulate that nonsense. Japan has been economically stagnant for over a decade. Answer my question- why do you want to subsidize transportation that only the wealthy can afford to ride? Do you hate poor people?
The train is not for the wealthy, Pyg. Get your head out of your rear.
http://www.dot.state.wi.us/projects/d1/hsrail/docs/hsr-econ-benefits.pdf
http://www.dot.state.wi.us/projects/d1/hsrail/docs/nl-2010fall.pdf
You're all liars. Bold, brazen liars. The second of the two links above, from the Wisconsin DOT, detail speed and price. Initial speed: 79 MPH, planned max of 110MPH. Estimated ticket cost of $20-33 for Milwaukee to Madison service. Stop lying. Please, stop lying. Your lies are making you look like a bunch of whiny liars.
By the way, Japan has the second strongest economy in the world. Read a economics text, Pyg.
Yeah, meepos- if Frankie the B told you that you could get to the moon on fairy's wings, would you believe that too? But seriously- are you really telling us that those living on the north side of Milwaukee, below the poverty line, would take a bus to the train station, then pay $40 (YOUR lowest number) round-trip every weekday, or $800/month, to get to some (as yet undefined) job in downtown Madison or maybe near the Madison airport? Is that what you're telling us? $800/month? Really? Why not just offer to drive lawyers to Madison in your own car, meepos. That way you can subsidize their travel without bringing the rest of us into it. By the way, 79mph is slower than I usually drive when going to Madison, and it will never get up to 110 mph because of grade problems (and the NIMBY attitude of people living on Madison's east side). Plus, a 110 mph train is nothing like the high-speed rail of Europe or Asia, which you are using as a comparison.
Can you read, Pyg? The cost estimate is $20-33, not $40.
Why are you stereotyping all north side residents as poor? Because there are a lot of black resident on the north side? Keep your racism to yourself, Pyg.
Where do you get this idea that the train is only for those who would take it to work on a daily basis? Simply not it's sole intention. Another lie; pat yourself on the back. People take the train down to Chicago on a daily basis, why should Madison be any different? People take the Badger Bus out to Madison on a daily basis. I'd pay more for the luxury and efficiency of a train. A ticket at the bus depot in Milwaukee costs $20. Same as the low end estimate for the train. Train gets you there faster. Let's say you drive the approx. 77 miles to Madison and back; that's 154 miles total. Let's say your car averages above the median at 25 mpg highway and let's suppose you fill it up at an average of $3.00 per gallon. You'd spend $18.48 on gas alone. Then you have to figure in car maintenance, cause you can't drive in excess of 80 mph without wearing down your engine, your transmission, your tires, etc. Then let's suppose by driving that fast you run a high risk of getting a speeding ticket. Those ain't cheap, sir. Factor in emissions pollution into the mix and the train starts to look pretty nice, if you ask me.
It's never as simple as you simpletons make it out to be, is it?
$20-$33 ONE WAY. How do they get back from Madison, meepos? Will the train have a bike rack so that they can pedal back? This is where the $66 comes in- as government always underestimates cost, I used the high-end. You are the liar. But even at your low end, the round-trip fare is $40. Thus it will be, at best, double the cost of driving. You literally have to bring a speeding ticket into the equation to make your train attractive. Sad, illogical, not relevant. But seriously, will people (white, black, native American, whatever) living below the poverty line spend $800/month to ride this train? The chant from the train-builders is Jobs, Jobs, Jobs- not "Come to Madison to see the 9 animals at the Vilas Zoo". To compare Madison and Chicago is foolish. Even you must realize that. One is the third largest city in the United States. One is the 81st largest city in the United States. Are you honestly saying there is a comparison?
Please show me where you there is confirmation that the cost estimate is for a one way ticket only. Let's say, for arguements sake, that the DOT cost estimate is only one way. At least I'm getting numbers from a reputable source. All you're doing is regurgitating rants and raves from right wing radio. The DOT expects ridership to increase exponentially; so there has to be more than a few people who will ride the train.
"Please show me where you there is confirmation that the cost estimate is for a one way ticket only"
Captain Grammar strikes again. Anyway, it's right in the 2nd link you yourself provided. "Fares are estimated from $20 to $33 for service between Milwaukee and Madison." Take a minute and think it over. Milwaukee and Madison, not Milwaukee and Madison and Milwaukee.
Here is a link to a JS Online article that estimates the round-trip ticket price at $44-$66.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/83000147.html
Here is a link to a USA Today article that estimates the cost to be as high as $33 one way:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-05-10-wisconsin-high-speed-rail_N.htm
Here is a link to the grant proposal from the DOT:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/recovery/docs/rail-grant-13.pdf
Do the math on page 31 (attachment 3) and you'll come up with an incremental (Mil to Mad only) one-way ticket price of about $23. Now take a look at the revenue shortfall projections on page 16. The revenue shortfall actually gets larger as the years go by, and these numbers include the leg from Chicago to Milwaukee- the holy grail of train lines, which is also heavily subsidized.
Finally, Amtrak ridership hit an all-time high in 2009 of 29 million riders. That's less than 10% of the US population. Why should the rest of us pay for that 10% to ride trains?
So, reputable sources and no right-wing rants. AND, ugly numbers from the DOT itself. Your last post was the equivalent of stamping your feet and pouting. Now answer the question: Why do you want to pay for wealthy people to ride the train to Madison?
"the train starts to look pretty nice, if you ask me.
It's never as simple as you simpletons make it out to be, is it?"
You're conveniently either forgetting or leaving out major factors that need to be factored in such as how you are going to get to the bus station in Milwaukee and what is your final stop going to be once you get to Madison and how will you get there from the train station and then back to the train station from there. That will add time and money to your little equation meepos.