Bush Threatens Veto on Highway Bill

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON Apr 26, 2005 — The Bush administration issued a veto threat again Tuesday against a popular highway bill, saying the president would be likely to reject any legislation that exceeds a White House-set spending ceiling or adds to the deficit.

The administration, in saying the legislation "should exhibit funding restraint," was at odds with many in Congress, including some conservatives, who say the deteriorating state of the nation's roads, bridges and public transport demands more aggressive spending.
...
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and the top Democrat on the panel, Max Baucus of Montana, are working on an amendment that would boost the spending level to about $300 billion. They say they can do that without raising the deficit by cracking down on fuel tax fraud or closing tax loopholes, but it's not clear the administration will agree with that assessment.
...
The popularity of the bill was demonstrated when the Senate voted 94-6 on Tuesday to proceed with it. All six voting no were Republicans, several because they said the bill was too expensive.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=706318&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

[TheFarseer]

1. It is true that many of our nations bridges need repair

I'd rather have my money repairing bridges in the USA than in Iraq.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. OBSTRUCTIONIST!!!!

This schmuck runs up the defecit to historic levels with his bass-ackward tax cut for the richest 1%, then threatens to veto a fucking HIGHWAY BILL (that will no doubt SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES) and justifies that with high defecits????

ARE YOU FUCKING LISTENING AMERICA????

[Cha]

13. It'll take a repuke getting

hurt on said highway to bring attention to the lack of care by this gang of roving bushmonkeys!

[xray s]

3. ...unless those hiways are in Iraq

Then...let the money flow.

[radar]

9. And built by a company...

...That donates to the president's favorite charity.

[indepat]

4. So it's let the freakin' infrastructure rot

[truthisfreedom]

6. someone at the oil companies should remind bushco that without highways,

cars sit in driveways.

[ldf]

8. the worse the highways are

the sooner your car falls apart and you HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER.

get the logic, now?

[Roland99]

5. When's the last bill he threatened to veto? The infamous $87 billion one?

The version that required the reconstruction money to be allocated as a loan, not a grant?

[Massacure]

10. I don't remember any legislation that Bush has actually vetoed.

[Fone Book]

11. This is my 100th post!...

But anyway, as governor, he vetoed the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Bill.

And then he took credit for passing it after they overrode it.

Hes a fucking asshole.

[Cha]

14. Yeah, that's pure

bushit all right! We need a free press!

[Massacure]

17. I'm not familiar with the Texas government. I meant presidential vetos.

[xxqqqzme]

7. this going on backstage

of 'judicial activism' curtin.

We R being robbed by these pricks.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. NOW, This Doofus Is Going To Veto A Bill?!?!?!?

He does know that vehicular infrastructure is considered critical to a nation's defense and security, right?

What a buffoon! Now, deficits do matter? I thought Cheney said Reagan proved they don't matter.

Which is it, boys?
The Professor

[Demeter]

15. He's GOT to be OUT OF HIS MIND!

Well, the frosting is definitely off the cupcake, folks. Can you say Impeachment? I thought you could!

[hollowdweller]

16. NOW He's worried about the deficit??

What about when he was cutting taxes??

[Daphne08]

18. Oh, so it's okay to build fourteen military bases in Iraq and

spend billions of dollars to rebuild the entire friggin' country, but...

spend money on our roads and bridges??


Mr. President, where are your priorities?

[CoffeeCat]

27. Excellent, excellent point...

....you just encapsulated why his veto would be so wrong.

Great point!

[wicket]

19. call his bluff- he's never vetoed ANYTHING

:kick:

[slor]

34. While it is not an official veto...

he appears to have unofficially "vetoed" a clean environment.

[Theduckno2]

20. With the money he will save us, NASA should get to Mars sooner!

When will America wake up to his screwed up priorities? Tax breaks for the wealthy (tax cut and estate tax elimination), pouring away money to protect us from Iraqi WMD :sarcasm: but don't fix the roads for ordinary Americans! Sometimes, I get pretty steamed. :grr:

[MaineDem]

21. NOW he's worried about adding to the deficit? NOW???

What an idiot!!!

[MontageOfFreedom]

22. A little strange to me in my mind.....

...When they of course, immediately spent billions on war and setting up illegal Halliburton contracts in the now Americanized 'Middle East'.

[Straight Shooter]

23. Do it, Little Boots. Do it, do it, do it. Veto it, Little Boots.

And while you're vetoing something so critical to safety and commerce, here's a bit more rope for your political noose.

The man is unhinged if he thinks people won't notice this.

[halobeam]

24. My head is going to explode...

I'm furiously building up with words in my head, faster than I can get them out....:crazy:


UGHHHH... I can't.

[Barrett808]

25. But with Iraq "reconstruction" going so well...

...I'm sure we'll get a spending ceiling on the war soon enough...

[w4rma]

26. Bush hasn't vetoed anything yet. He won't start now. Bluffing. (nt)

[Renew Deal]

28. The veto could be over ridden right?

[Make7]

35. Yes, it can. I say let him veto it.

If at least two thirds of Congress votes to override the veto, the bill becomes law anyway. With a Senate vote of 94 to 6, seems like it might just be possible.

I think it would be a bad political move on his part. I wonder if he even knows how the government is actually supposed to work.

-Make7

[dandrhesse]

29. I hope he does, it would be just one more example of the arrogance and

spoiled brat temperment of our appointed leader! On his part that would be a really grave error, but what's new?

[DBoon]

30. "exhibit funding restraint"

Bush said this?

heeheeheehawhawheeheehawheeehee

wow that was hilarious

[JohnOneillsMemory]

31. Beware: GPS in cars used to 'tax road use' = Big Brother tracking us again

Already 'speed pass' toll paying systems are being used to track American motorists for DARPA's Total Information Awareness program of keeping track of all humans they possibly can.

Look out for locating technology in your cellphones, cars, passports, clothing, etc.

[bunkerbuster1]

41. That, and an excuse not to tax fuel consumption

the GPSs (GPSi?) will be an excuse to continue subsidies of gas-guzzling, idiotic 3-ton conveyances for personal use, by taxing all people "fairly" per mile rather than per gallon.

I'd love to be wrong about this, but if those ratfuckers win the 2006 mid-terms, I bet a per-mile federal tax will be the law of the land by 2007.

[Kimber Scott]

32. Do they purposely come up with the wrong answer to everything?

It's just too coincidental. Every idea is the worst of all alternatives. Every nominee is the most blatant affront to us, the judicial system and the world. Spend money everywhere, but here.

Here's an idea... take some of that Social Security road show money and put it towards the budget along with the money they're sending to Venezuela and Iran to stir up shit and find the 9 billion they lost in Iraq and I think we might be able to fix something around here.

[LdyGuique]

33. Report cards on Roads and Bridges -- nationwide

The American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) issued these report cards for 2005. It would appear that Congress has sufficient votes for a veto override with 94-6. They been stealing the 14 cents gas tax now for years -- putting it into the General Fund rather than roads and bridges.

Poor road conditions cost U.S. motorists $54 billion per year in repairs and operating costs--$275 per motorist. Americans spend 3.5 billion hours a year stuck in traffic, at a cost of $63.2 billion a year to the economy. Total spending of $59.4 billion annually is well below the $94 billion needed annually to improve transportation infrastructure conditions nationally. While long-term Federal transportation programs remain unauthorized since expiring on Sept. 30, 2003, the nation continues to shortchange funding for needed transportation improvements.

Source: Report Card for America's Infrastructure - Roads

Between 2000 and 2003, the percentage of the nation's 590,750 bridges rated structurally deficient or functionally obsolete decreased slightly from 28.5% to 27.1%. However, it will cost $9.4 billion a year for 20 years to eliminate all bridge deficiencies. Long-term underinvestment is compounded by the lack of a Federal transportation program.

Conditions

As of 2003, 27.1% of the nation's bridges (160,570) were structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, an improvement from 28.5% in 2000. In fact, over the past 12 years, the number of bridge deficiencies has steadily declined from 34.6% in 1992 to 27.1% in 2003. The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) strategic plan states that by 2008, less than 25% of the nation's bridges should be classified as deficient. If that goal were met, 1 in 4 bridges in the nation would still be deficient. There were 590,750 bridges in the United States in 2000; however, one in three urban bridges (31.2% or 43,189) was classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, much higher than the national average. In contrast, 25.6% (118,381) of rural bridges were classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.

Source: Report Card for America's Infrastructure - Bridges

[Catfight]

36. Gridlock burns gas, gas is Bush's baby, he wants the USA to burn more

fuel, he has no intention other than lip talk to curb the amount of gas the good ol' boys burn every day. If he was serious, he'd immediately get rid of the 100k tax break on hummers and suv's and crack down on grid lock. It's becoming more evident everyday as we come closer to the end of the W-worst President ever era, that Bush will have done more damage to this planet in so many ways that some of it will never be repaired. These creeps and scoundrels called republicians are a bunch of greedy, power hungry, militant little spoiled adults that can't stop their own impulses to destroy.

[soup]

37. Pot Hole Pretzeldent

(Laughter.) (Applause.) (Laughter.) (Applause.) (Laughter.) (Applause.) (Laughter.) (Applause.)


March 11, 2005

Gold Dome
Centenary College of Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana

I want to thank Mayor Keith Hightower, from the city of Shreveport, for being here. Mr. Mayor, I'm honored you're here. I appreciate you coming. (Applause.) Mayor George DeMent of Bossier City. (Applause.) Thank you, George. Proud you two guys are here. Just fill the potholes. (Laughter.) You didn't ask for any advice. (Laughter.) I want to thank all the other state and local officials who have joined us.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/03/20050311-13.html

---

April 21, 2005

The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush and the First Lady in presentation of the 2005 National and State Teachers of the Year:

I want to thank the Mayor. Mr. Mayor, thank you for coming. I always like to tell the Mayor that it's important for the Mayor to fill the potholes - (laughter) - particularly close to White House, Mayor. And you're doing a fine job. Last time I saw the Mayor was at Opening Day. For those of you who follow professional baseball, you know that we've got the Nationals here in town. It's exciting for the Nation's Capital to have the Nationals. And one of the reasons the Nationals are here is because of the Mayor. And so, Mr. Mayor, thank you for your leadership. (Applause.)
http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050421/NEWS0108/50420034/1004



Army personnel remove debris from road leading to Baghdad.
http://enr.construction.com/news/front2003/archives/030428a.asp

---
---

January 26, 2004

Medical Liability
Baptist Health Medical Center
Little Rock, Arkansas

I want to thank the Lieutenant Governor, Win Rockefeller, for joining us. Win, glad to see you. (Applause.) He exercises, too. (Laughter.) I appreciate the Mayor, Mayor Dailey from Little Rock, for being here. Mr. Mayor, thank you for coming. (Applause.) Mayor Hays of North Little Rock is here, as well. Thank you for coming, appreciate you. (Applause.) You've got a tough job. I like to remind the mayors, just go ahead and fill the potholes and everything will be fine. (Laughter.)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20040126-3.html

---

February 16, 2004

Conversation on the Economy
NuAir Manufacturing
Tampa, Florida

I know we've got some mayors here, the Mayor of St. Pete, the Mayor of Seminole and the Mayor of Clearwater. Thank you all for coming. I'm honored you're here. My only advice is, fill the potholes. (Laughter.) A lot of citizens and local officials.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040216.html

---

4th of July Celebration 2004

West Virginia State Capitol Grounds
Charleston, West Virginia

I was greeted by your Mayor today -- I'm honored the Mayor, Mayor Danny Jones took time to say hello. Mr. Mayor, thanks for having me here, and thanks for serving your community. (Applause.) I know, you want me to tell him to fill the potholes. (Laughter.)
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/bush299.html

---

July 23, 2004

2004 National Urban League Conference
Detroit Marriot Renaissance Hotel
Detroit, Michigan

Marc, I appreciate your leadership. I've had the opportunity to work with Marc. I look forward to continue working with Marc. He's a good man. He cares deeply about the country, the people in our country. He is -- he has had a lot of experience. He has, after all, been a mayor. It's a heck of a lot tougher job than being President. After all, you've got to fill the potholes -- (laughter) -- and empty the garbage. And he did a fine job as mayor. He's doing a fine job for this very important organization.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/07/20040723-8.html

---

Thursday, August 19, 2004
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

It appears the presidential motorcade was in need of a visit to the CarX man after a visit to Chippewa Falls.
At least President George Bush seemed to think so.

When Bush thanked Mayor Doug Sandvick for the city's hospitality Wednesday, it came with a little advice.

"I want to thank the mayor, Mayor Doug Sandvick, for being here. Mr. Mayor, thanks for coming. My only advice to you, Mr. Mayor, is fill the potholes," the President said.

The estimated crowd of 5,000 people applauded with approval.
http://arneberg.com/photos/2004.0818.gwbush/articles/2004.0819.cht.notes/


crater from IED
http://www.humanshields.org/index.php?module=My_eGallery&do=showpic&pid=162&orderby=dateD
---
---

July 1, 2003

Education Reform and Parental Options Kipp D.C. Key Academy
Washington, D.C.

And Rodney Frelinghuysen is here, as well. He's the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the District of Columbia. I'm sure he and the Mayor spend a lot of time talking and coming up with the amount of money the Mayor thinks is appropriate to run this important city. My only admonition is to make sure the potholes in front of the White House are full. (Laughter.)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/07/20030701-3.html

---

August 21, 2003

Healthy Forests Initiative
Redmond, Oregon

I appreciate the mayors who are here today -- Mayor Unger of Redmond, Mayor Teater of Bend, Mayor Allen, Mayor Uffelman, Mayor Elliott. I thank the mayors and the local authorities who have taken time to come and give me a chance to visit with you. I appreciate your service to your communities. I think mayor is a little tougher than being President because you've got to make sure the pot holes are all full and the garbage is collected. (Laughter.)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/08/20030821-4.html

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/07/iraq_bomb,0.jpg
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/07/iraq_bomb

(Laughter.) (Applause.) (Laughter.) (Applause.) (Laughter.) (Applause.) (Laughter.) (Applause.)

[Disturbed]

38. Will the Repubs and Dems bow down to this little Dicktator?

Finally something that most Dems and Repubs agree on. I hope they have the guts to push this through as is and tell the dumbass to eat shit.

[soup]

40. I don't know. 94-6 is a pretty strong statement.

and slapping a veto on what Inhofe calls the 'biggest jobs bill in the history of America'? Ouch...

>>But the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, James Inhofe, R-Okla., said, "Those of us who are conservatives really believe this is something we should be doing here."

He said that in addition to making roads safer and less congested, the bill could "easily be the biggest jobs bill in the history of America." Supporters frequently quote Transportation Department estimates that every $1 billion in highway spending translates to 47,500 jobs.<<

[Zynx]

39. Call the bluff - he doesn't know where his veto pen is

[SalmonChantedEvening]

42. He stopped reading My Pet Goat....

so he can read his new fave....


Vetoes for Dummies.


:D