Once again you have cut to the chase. Rewarding friends and making the "fat cats" fatter has been priority one for the past eight years. To hell with the infrastructure or anything that would actually help/protect our own citizens. Just look at increased number of mine disasters (read: lack of enough mine inspectors) and increased incidents of contaminated food {read: fewer food inspectors}. And while MikeKing states below that we should not blame Mr. Bush, it is from the top that this "anti-government" spirit has infected our nation. Someone once said that putting someone in charge of government whose goal is the dismantlement of government is bound to lead to problems, since they do not know how to do the administrative things necessary to provide vital services. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Sir, I make no bones about the shortcomings from the right, but just for discussion's sake can we not stop pointing blame at one individual. Realistically, each of us can scrutinize any issue and find fault.
The fact is that for decades we have elected men and women to public trust who talk a good game, but all succumb to the addictveness of power that permeates from within the Beltway. Like Michelle Malkin stated in her "Suck it Up" oped, our country is critically short of officials who truly act and work for the common good.
With the myriad of problems facing us today, would you not agree that new faces are in order in Congress. Let's face it, can you name one who has consistently contributed to the greater good of the country that has held office for more than fifteen years?

I happen to agree with you. We could enter into a LONG discussion here on civic duty and the responsibilities of citizenship {not the rights of citizens, we are all too aware of them). What is required is a complete overhaul of the existing political culture. Only that way will we get back to a government that is even remotely responsive to the people. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

He was in charge for last seven, plus years. It took almost that long to get rid of Rummy the Screwup(at Bush's behest). Actually too late, I fear.

Commander-In-Chief means nothing if he is incompetent---cut him loose now.

We have let our Generals keep their mouth shut and get promoted instead of insisting they say what they think and then resign if they must. Don't want to ever do that again----we have a barrell full of them!

Please elaborate regarding the increase number of mine disasters.
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there have been an increasing number of mine disasters throughout the United States, with increased numbers of fatalities. The Bureau of Mines {along with most other regulatory agencies...DFA, EPA, etc) have been battling budget cuts forced by decreases in Federal domestic spending brought on by earmarks, "War on Terror", what have you. Ask anyone who has business with these agencies and they will tell you the same thing. "We can't do the job we should with the numbers we have." In the Bureau of mines, the cuts have impacted mine safety inspectors. I read somewhere (not sure of the source or the numbers) that there are fewer than 10 mine inspectors in the US now. (may be fewer than 5). Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

US Mine Incidents.

Where's this increase?

BTW, the final government report on the Sago incident noted that the lack of oversight was not the cause.

Good night, it's late where I'm at.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

it proved very informative. 39 mine fatalities since 2000. You have to go back to the early 80's to come up with numbers like that. I appreciate you "hooking me up" with the facts and figures. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

politician. You take numbers and information but you don't analyze it. The original post stated "mine disasters" are on an increase because of a lack of oversight. You couldn't prove it. And you still can't. Yes there were 39 fatalities of those, 12 (Sago) were not the result of a lack of oversight. As for the other incidents, were they a result of a lack of oversight as you and "Nit" seem to feel? If you do the research you might find the lack of "oversight" (that is Federal Mine Inspectors) was not the reason for all of them.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

If you are trying to insinuate that coal operators wouldn't run unsafe mines without inspectors at all, you would be wrong. They do it with inspectors, and their cooperation, to keep the costs down.
I have known and seen too many miners die early from slate falls and coal dust in their lungs to think any other way!
Read the problems with the one where the guys are still buried and you will know what I mean! That mountain had shook for a long time and the ventilation was insufficient and communications was very poor.

I would like to read the report for the Crandal Canyon Mine Collapse. Do you know where it is at?
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

after reading this last post, I went back and read the independent report on the Sago disaster. Fascination reading, in a sort of morbid way. I am sure that you have read it, so I am sure that you noticed that there are some factors that point to culpability on the part of the mine company, and, indirectly, on the part of MSHA inspectors. Now, this is a fine diversion, but it still remains a fact that the systematic dismantling of regulatory agencies continue to place US citizens at risk. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

There you go again. You’re letting your feelings distort the facts. Is this a prerequisite for being a Democrat? Keep the faith.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Keep up the good work!

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. -- John Adams (posted by Paul P)

Sorry for not seeing your and the Penquin's replies prior, but work does take priority, you know.
My point, albeit satirically, was that we are taxed to construct public works projects and then we elect those at all levels who have the gall to turn around and tax us for using that which WE purchased. Somehow, this doesn't meet the common sense test, at least by me.
The decision to increase these tolls were at local levels, so let's not get into blaming Mr Bush. He has enough on his plate now.

Fight the good fight penguin, have a good night and check in a little more often.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Hey hutch and thank you. I will try to be more active...I've missed everyone here! How's the Hutchette and the Mrs.?

And you know me, I'm a proud Conservative and I make no apologies for it, but I try to be ideologically honest and point out the pork on BOTH sides of the aisle. Sadly, pork is very much bipartisan with both Republicrats and Demicans gathering around the slop bucket for their pet projects. Sick.