Georgia’s leaders continue to duck tough decisions
By the end of his second term, Gov. Sonny Perdue understood that transportation in Georgia was badly underfunded and had been underfunded for years, harming the quality of life of Georgia citizens and damaging its economy.
Legislative leaders, including chairmen of the House and Senate transportation committees, shared that conviction. Yet when it came time to correct the problem, they balked. The best they could manage — and it took years of halting work to accomplish even that much — was to pass a convoluted, complex approach that tried to dump the state’s responsibility for funding transportation onto local voters and local officials.
In the end, the TSPLOST work-around didn’t work and the funding shortage continues. But Perdue’s successor, Nathan Deal, and his fellow state leaders still do not dare to do what they know is necessary. They have no “Plan B.” They do not lead, they follow, and they do so timidly.
And it’s not just transportation. Consider Medicaid and the state’s so-called “bed tax” charged to hospital patients. Again, Georgia leaders from Deal on down understand the necessity of renewing the tax, which expires this year. Without the revenue raised through the tax, Georgia would lose $400 million in federal Medicaid funding, forcing drastic cutbacks in payments to Medicaid service providers and probably forcing the closure of rural hospitals.
Yet they can’t bring themselves to do what they know is necessary. Not directly, anyway. Instead, they have engineered another work-around, creating legislation that shunts responsibility for the bed tax — renamed a fee — onto state bureaucrats, who have been given the “authority” to levy the fee themselves. That way, no politician has his or her fingerprints on a tax renewal.
But how long can this charade be sustained?
The same duty-dodging deception may be employed to produce the public contribution toward financing a new, retractable-roof stadium for the Atlanta Falcons. Personally, I don’t think that in times such as these, scarce tax resources ought to be used to subsidize a highly profitable business. But powerful leaders in this state have decided otherwise. The governor wants it. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed wants it. The state’s business community wants it.
But again, state leaders are plotting ways to avoid a legislative vote, this time by shifting the responsibility onto those “tax-happy liberals” at the city of Atlanta.
Earlier this week, in joint House and Senate budget hearings, Deal bragged that “We have reduced per capita spending of state dollars for our citizens. Using 2012 dollars, we are spending money at a rate of 17 percent less than we did a decade ago. And we now have 9,000 fewer state employees than we did five years ago.”
Great. But we also have a badly inadequate transportation system, a higher ed system that is taking yet another major cut to its budget, public school systems that can’t stay open the minimum 180 days a year and a bureaucracy no longer able to perform basic government functions in a timely manner. We are allowing the work of a generation to come unraveled.
But at least we still have a Legislature that can say it didn’t vote for a tax increase, if only in the same, technical sense in which Bill Clinton could say that he “never had sex with that woman.”
– Jay Bookman
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373 comments Add your comment
The other half of your brain.
January 28th, 2013
9:47 am
Moving to Georgia from a northern state I can tell you for a fact that our roads are great, no potholes, no salt and courteous drivers.
But hey it’s Bush’s fault, let’s blame him for another 4 years.
Recon 0311 2533
January 28th, 2013
9:47 am
It looks as though Jay may have picked the wrong Monday morning topic.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 28th, 2013
9:48 am
Wow ! I was wondering when Jay would get back to Georgia transportation !
By the way:
“Georgia’s leaders continue to duck tough decisions”
AMERICA’S “LEADERS” CONTINUE TO DUCK TOUGH DECISIONS
Whatever
January 28th, 2013
9:48 am
I still can’t find a state that is out of debt, hasn’t kicked the can down the road to fund today, and that is providing all these services.
Maybe I’m looking on the wrong web sites…..
JohnnyReb
January 28th, 2013
9:49 am
We need to coin a new term that applies to people who move to Georgia knowing it is and always has been a Conservative state but bitch about it. Damn Yankee just does not seem enough.
The Liberals forget their forefathers came to America to escape the very things they are trying so hard to put in place.
indigo
January 28th, 2013
9:49 am
Georgia politicians are marching in lockstep with the House and Senate, who are also ducking and dodging tough issues.
Couple this behavior with an obsession for short-term gains, at the expense of long-term planning, and Americans get local and national politicians they don’t deserve.
And, no lectures to us voters please.
We can only vote for the people on the ballot.
As for write-in’s, this is useless unless a person is running as a write-in candidate, something that seldom happens.
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
9:50 am
Obama gets a pass because of ‘the great recession”…but Deal irresponsible…got it!
outdoor football in Doraville here we come
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 28th, 2013
9:50 am
Recon:
I still think he has some land along a proposed MARTA route somewhere …………….
moonbat betty
January 28th, 2013
9:51 am
Sounds a lot like DC except compound the problems in DC by a trillion.
indigo
January 28th, 2013
9:51 am
the other half
Bush’s two credit card wars and generous tax breaks for the rich helped to nearly ruin the American economy.
It’s going to take many years to repair all the damage he did.
So, DARN RIGHT, a lot of our economic troubles ARE his fault.
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
9:51 am
Talking big and doing nothing. As far as donations go Joe Biden and Bill Clinton are tight wads to an extreme. Hillary even tried to write off Bill’s worn out under wear. Obama is that charitable either. Definition of a LIBERAL – We are going to save the world with YOUR money. HYPOCRITES abound on the far left!
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 28th, 2013
9:52 am
Erwin’s cat:
Thank you.
Living With Open Eyes
January 28th, 2013
9:53 am
We should be a LOT more worried about the new immigration legislation the feds are trying to kill us with : http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/28/16730088-senators-reach-deal-on-immigration-changes?lite
Recon 0311 2533
January 28th, 2013
9:54 am
0311/8541,
If so he should be true to his principals and share it with the masses.
td
January 28th, 2013
9:56 am
Jay,
You are comparing apples and oranges with transportation, Medicaid and then the stadium.
The First two are general tax issues (since the TSPLOST did not pass) and a stadium deal would be from a hotel/motel tax that could only be used for such a project and can not be used for anything else.
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
9:56 am
“So, DARN RIGHT, a lot of our economic troubles ARE his fault.”
Hell yes they are! Deal can blame Bush too!
I certainly understand though why Republicans want to pretend Bush never existed.
TaxPayer
January 28th, 2013
9:56 am
Republican… Leader!
Now there’s an oxymoron for ya.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
9:56 am
POOR JAY
the liberal mind is a terrible thing to have
he can buy into the fact that the dumb conservatives/republicans nominate tea party crazy’s to run for their party
but he can’t buy into the fact that the conservatives/republicans nominate CONVERTED DEMOCRATS who end up getting ELECTED in the general election because the conservatives/republicans are too DUMB enough to realize they are democrats and they get some INDEPENDENT/DEMOCRAT votes
moonbat betty
January 28th, 2013
9:56 am
Shoot, the state’s roads up north are in great shape! – No traffic either!
Heck, only in the dirty south do they not run a balanced budget.
Whatever
January 28th, 2013
9:57 am
This is a little old but may still be in the ballpark.
http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/20/states-debt-pensions-interactive-map.html
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
9:58 am
Roy Barnes would’ve fixed it by now…yeah right
Whatever
January 28th, 2013
9:59 am
This one is always fun. Let’s keep spending so we can be comfortable and our kids and grandkids can pay for it all!
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
9:59 am
During the Bush years Nathan deal was voting YES for all those tax cuts and huge spending that was going on with them. Deal was also protecting his no-bid government contract! Talk about hypocrites!!!
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:01 am
POOR LIBERALS
they cant think
even the liberal media knows georgia has better roads than those unbalanced liberal states
Georgia roads are among America’s best, state officials say
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2011/feb/07/vance-smith/georgia-roads-are-among-americas-best-state-offici/
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
10:01 am
“Roy Barnes would’ve fixed it by now…yeah right”
Well, I don’t believe Barnes was personally bankrupt. Great leadership, Deal! Kind of like the blind leading the blind.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:01 am
Whatever : “Ok, we start there. That’s fine with me. How much does that get us?”
You talk like the problem is fundamentally mathematical. In fact, it’s really not so much numbers crunching as it is political. Who pays for what benefits and who receives them? By some measures, the so-called “red” states who vote Republican receive considerably more back from their tax dollars paid in than do Democrat-voting “blue” states. If you look at what regions of the country receive subsidies in specific areas like agriculture, the result is the same. Rural states and states like Georgia with a lot of defense-related expenditures are typically net beneficiaries of subsidies.
In any case, if you look at projected budget gaps as a function of projected general funds, you get a picture that does not at all necessarily closely follow the “blue-red” distinction. The state of Georgia, for example, lands near the top of the list in its projected shortfalls as a percentage of projected funds. (see http://www.mybudget360.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/state-budget-deficits-1.png)
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:02 am
You cannot explain the cause of this FED debt to people with a “drop out” education. This Fed Debt was begun decades ago by the big spending SOCIALISTS social programs primarily promoted by the left leaning Dem Party. Not being economists that failed to properly fund these expansions of gub’ment and ran up the bulk of this huge Fed debt. Both sides have flooded their “supporters” with gub’ment favors aka payoffs and kickbacks. This did not begin with “W” and is still going on today under Obama. At least the state of Georgia has to balance it’s budget by LAW because Georgia has a Balanced Budget Amendment. We need a BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT to the Constitution to get this over spending Fed gub’ment under control.. We need TERM LIMITS for Congress to remove the hogs at the gub’ment trough that don’t have the back bone to make big decisions about this debt.
monty
January 28th, 2013
10:02 am
Politicians refusing to make the hard choices. Who would have thunk it. Problem starts at the top.
Whatever
January 28th, 2013
10:02 am
Look long and hard at the US Debt Clock and tell me that we aren’t in big trouble.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:02 am
roy barnes!!!!
don’t get me started on you white racist liberals that nominated ROY while you discriminated against THURBERT BAKER when he would have easily defeated DEAL
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
10:04 am
Well, I don’t believe Barnes was personally bankrupt. Great leadership, Deal! Kind of like the blind leading the blind.
In GA we are usually face with bad decisions not tough decisions at the polls
independent thinker
January 28th, 2013
10:04 am
Upgrade Marta with all that capital improvement money the state says it must not spend and run all those state funded GRTA buses and Gwinnett and Cobb buses to Marta stations at the end of the lines along 285, 85, 75 and 20 and you will actually have a regional transportation system. Of course thos suburban white folks may have to sit next to some of the common folks on Marta trains. But that takes some planning and funding by the circus under the gold dome. Maybe give the crooks 100 free GRTA passes if they pass it to sell or give to constituents and a few transit contracts to friends or family of Deal and Ralston-mission accomplished no need for T-splost.
independent thinker
January 28th, 2013
10:04 am
Upgrade Marta with all that capital improvement money the state says it must not spend and run all those state funded GRTA buses and Gwinnett and Cobb buses to Marta stations at the end of the lines along 285, 85, 75 and 20 and you will actually have a regional transportation system. Of course thos suburban white folks may have to sit next to some of the common folks on Marta trains. But that takes some planning and funding by the circus under the gold dome. Maybe give the crooks 100 free GRTA passes if they pass it to sell or give to constituents and a few transit contracts to friends or family of Deal and Ralston-mission accomplished and no need for T-splost.
independent thinker
January 28th, 2013
10:05 am
Upgrade Marta with all that capital improvement money the state says it must not spend and run all those state funded GRTA buses and Gwinnett and Cobb buses to Marta stations at the end of the lines along 285, 85, 75 and 20 and you will actually have a regional transportation system. Of course those suburban white folks may have to sit next to some of the common folks on Marta trains. But that takes some planning and funding by the circus under the gold dome. Maybe give the crooks 100 free GRTA passes if they pass it to sell or give to constituents and a few transit contracts to friends or family of Deal and Ralston-mission accomplished and no need for T-splost.
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
10:05 am
“Georgia roads are among America’s best, state officials say”
Of course they are! Because of rural welfare!
35% of the gas tax revenue and matching federal funds generated in metro-Atlanta is diverted to other parts of the state. Georgia has built a great system of 4 lane highways that are not needed, on metro- Atlanta’s dime.
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:06 am
KING ROY BARNES was a ruthless big spending tyrant that showered his supporters with cash and punished his enemies with tax laws. Does that sound like anyone currently ruling in D.C.?
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:10 am
The state gub’ment needs to be moved a more central location in Georgia – say Macon or Warner Robbins – and out of the control of the corrupt political mafia in Atlanta.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:10 am
uncle samantha: ” even the liberal media knows georgia has better roads than those unbalanced liberal states”
But no liberal would make the mistake of thinking that the quality of an area’s roads alone is the decisive factor in determining what area has a superior transportation system.
Say, how does Atlanta’s public transportation system stack up compared with that of a Northeastern city like Philly, New York, or Boston?
Crickets ……….
(That’s what I thought.)
No person in their right mind would even think of claiming Atlanta, or the state of Georgia as a whole, has a transportation system that approaches
Recon 0311 2533
January 28th, 2013
10:11 am
Look long and hard at the US Debt Clock and tell me that we aren’t in big trouble.
Whatever, Obama and the Democrats will only say it’s Bushes fault as they continue to ignore it and concentrate on what they believe is more important like restrictive gun control, women in combat, gay marriage, climate change, free contraception, government controlled healthcare, raising taxes on the rich and placing more people on government welfare programs, amnesty for illegals etc.
clem
January 28th, 2013
10:12 am
ga has gone downhill since repubs took the lead here; only thing going up are wallets of the pols
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
10:13 am
http://www.governing.com/gov-data/economy-finance/state-debt-per-capita-figures.html
looks like GA is in the middle of the pack when it comes to state debt
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:13 am
Wishing UGA and Tech good fortune with Feb 6th National Signing Day. Time to stop the raiding of in state talent by “The Gnome” Saban,
Jefferson
January 28th, 2013
10:13 am
Republicans want it all — and for free.
monty
January 28th, 2013
10:13 am
Obama wants to leave some type of legacy as being the great emancipator for Gays and Lesbians, Illegals, and saving the planet. He refuses to make hard choices about the debt crisis. Keeps putting his hands over his ears and singing loudly “la-la-la-la-la.’ Save the planet and destroy the US with his anti-colonial worldview. The great Messiah. And you guys are the elite thinkers of our day? Right.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:15 am
Morality? ” At least the state of Georgia has to balance it’s budget by LAW because Georgia has a Balanced Budget Amendment. We need a BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT to the Constitution to get this over spending Fed gub’ment under control”
Wrong. Nothing would be more disastrous, or stupid, than a balanced budget amendment.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:15 am
only DUMB LIBERALS would attack GA roads which are among the best in the country thanks to the GREAT DEMOCRAT TOM MORELAND
so dumb they attack the one area that GA DEMOCRATS can claim to have done RIGHT when they were in power
they say ignorance is bliss
then cheer up libs……………… you should be overflowing with bliss
Atlanta Mom
January 28th, 2013
10:17 am
ALEC hasn’t told state republicans what to do about transportation, thus they have no legislation to propose.
Jefferson
January 28th, 2013
10:18 am
Until revenues are raised and defense spending cut, the federal deficit will remain. Fake concerns helps nobody.
Grasshopper
January 28th, 2013
10:18 am
“WOW! That rant really offers good solutions… ”
Since when does anyone come to Bookman’s blog looking for solutions?
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:18 am
Occupy – This is Georgia – we don’t want to LOOK like Philly, New Yerk or Bawston. They’re in debt up to their liberal eye balls with state run and fed gub’ment supported funds. If you like it better up there – feel free to LEAVE!
TaxPayer
January 28th, 2013
10:18 am
Well, the Republican constituency (is they is or is they ain’t their constituency) voted in the Georgia Republicans because they promised to nevah evah raise no taxes on them. Fees are ok though. And increased shifts in current taxes from the wealthiest to the Republican party’s 47% is also ok. I mean, a “rose” by any other name is not a rose. Just ask any Republican. They’ll tells ya.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:19 am
occupy a classroom
ATLANTA’s TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
run by democrats for democrats
only a dumb liberal would attack a democratic run system as bad
too funny
Road Scholar
January 28th, 2013
10:21 am
Unc Samantha: “Georgia roads are among America’s best, state officials say..”
Yes they were. And just who is responsible? GDOT of the past! The same GDOT professionals that are criticized today. Back when the decisions for materials, design, priorities, etc were made by professional engineers, not our new statewide transportation planner…Gov Deal! Back when the transportation board was made up of people who were more interested in quality instead of recent board members only interested in the power they have!
Yes Danny, Atlanta takes in more than it is allowed to spend on its roads. While the statewide balancing on expenditures has been revised a few years ago, the rural sections get more than their fair share. Why? because of the 159 counties in the state, only 40 are urban! Also rural folks think we hogged the money before the Olympics, and they felt that they should get more as payback. But for how long?
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:22 am
The best Fed funded highways in the nation are in Robert Bird’s West Virginia……… a life time of Fed gub’ment payoffs to the “PORK” champion of the Dems..
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
10:22 am
“GREAT DEMOCRAT TOM MORELAND”
Oh yea, just like the GREAT DEMOCRAT SONNY PERDUE, or the GREAT DEMOCRAT NATHAN DEAL. Or a host of other GREAT DEMOCRATS in the Georgia Legislature.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:24 am
Uncle samantha: “ATLANTA’s TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
run by democrats for democrats”
Calm down there pardner.
Step back for a second and cool off. Just ask yourself: what transportation-related facility is by far the most significant in the history of the Atlanta region and remains so today? Then ask yourself whether it is built for and enjoyed by “liberals” only. That little mental exercise should help you along a little bit with your confusion.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:25 am
hey ROAD SCHOLAR
you are too quick to judge
but wait liberals are emotionally reactive and dont think
read my post about TOM MORELAND
Recon 0311 2533
January 28th, 2013
10:26 am
Vietnam Veterans for John Kerry as our next secretary of state.
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2013/01/vietnam-vets-for-john-kerry-for.html
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:27 am
REALLY???
liberals attacking TOM MORELAND and discriminating against THURBERT BAKER
have you no shame libs?
Road Scholar
January 28th, 2013
10:29 am
Unc Samantha: You finally got something right! Tom Moreland was a great commissioner, engineer and leader.So was Rives, Shackelford… When will your beloved GOP do the same? Who do they have NOW?That is what us independents and other Dems have complained about! The CHANGE or the shortage of leadership not dominated by the purely political one up-mans-ship dominating Georgia politics.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:29 am
Morality? “Occupy – This is Georgia – we don’t want to LOOK like Philly, New Yerk or Bawston. They’re in debt up to their liberal eye balls with state run and fed gub’ment supported funds”
No, places like Boston eat places like Georgia and Arkansas and Mississippi for breakfast.
The more affluent states like Massachusetts subsidize their more rubish counterparts in places like those states I mentioned.
Tough for you to face, I realize, but you really ought to dry to face facts rather than run away from them.
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:30 am
Occupy – To a leftist SOCIALIST big gub’ment spending LIberal aka PROGRESSIVE a BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION would be a disaster because you would finally, after all these decades of building the deficit, have to actually PAY FOR your wasteful spending – or heaven forbid – not initiate spending to special interest groups that you can’t afford. A sure death knell to the future of SOCIALISM AS WE KNOW IT.
indigo
January 28th, 2013
10:32 am
Morality – 10:02
None of our government spending programs, Democratic or Republican, are products of a Socialist regime.
Are you ever going to learn what Socialsim actually is or just keep shooting from the hip and continue to look foolish?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:33 am
road
you need to go back to school with OCCUPY
it aint my GOP
i am an independent
voted for PEROT twice and LIBERTARIAN TWICE and even NADER
Doggone/GA
January 28th, 2013
10:34 am
“Are you ever going to learn what Socialsim actually is or just keep shooting from the hip and continue to look foolish?”
There’s a term I’ve started using for that: WORM brain (Write Once Read many) – once a “fact” (/sarc) is written to their brains it can never be changed, only repeated and repeated and repeated
td
January 28th, 2013
10:36 am
Here is a nice progressive idea that would solve the transportation problem and it is environmentally friendly.
1: No Semi allowed within 60 miles of Atlanta during the morning of the afternoon rush hour.
2: Tax all businesses, whose working must travel on our roads during rush hour, for not having a plan implemented where at least 25% of their work force is not teleworking or you could give tax credits to businesses that have more then 25% of their work forces teleworking.
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
10:36 am
No, places like Boston eat places like Georgia and Arkansas and Mississippi for breakfast.
considering MA debt per capita is twice what it is in GA…perhaps MA should step away from the breakfast table
Road Scholar
January 28th, 2013
10:36 am
Oh and Tom Moreland is now a Repub! Part of the old “Gwinnett Mafia” that became Georgia’s center of power back in the 90’s which has shifted to NE Georgia now!. I’ve worked for and with Moreland when he was commissioner and when he is a consultant. Brilliant man! He also was smart enough to surround himself with good people! Back in the 70’s and 80’s he really had a vision for Atlanta and Georgia. He did more with less.
Now I ask again.. who is your transportation visionary today?
Whatever
January 28th, 2013
10:37 am
Welcome,
Massachusetts doesn’t look to good on this map.
http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/20/states-debt-pensions-interactive-map.html
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:38 am
Moraliy? “This is Georgia – we don’t want to LOOK like Philly, New Yerk or Bawston. They’re in debt up to their liberal eye balls with state run and fed gub’ment supported funds”
This is such a stupid statement that I honestly don’t quite know where to begin.
But I just made up my mind. I’ll begin here: “Bawston. They’re in debt up to their liberal eye balls with state run and fed gub’ment supported funds”.
You’re right in a way that a place like Boston, with its vast high tech and educational complex that is virtually unrivaled in the nation, only real rival being the SF Bay Area (and which, you’ll recall, the boosters and leaders in Georgia spent years and years trying to come up with a slogan to help it compete with, apparently to no avail, btw whatever happened to that effort, I wonder), are awash in federal funding. But just step back outside your rube box for just a half a second and look at what that interrelationship brings to that region. It brings untold affluence and prosperity that is the envy of the country. It works, in other words. And WHY does it work? Because it involves a genuine investment in education and long-run development, technological and intellectual, which brings a bounty back to the region from which it comes. The only thing in the South that even begins to hold a candle to it is the Research Triangle in NC. Just ask any of the leaders in that area what they think about government funding for research and see if they wave it away as just so much waste. You’ll find out otherwise.
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:39 am
Occupy – Like I said – If you don’t like Georgia feel free to LEAVE….. and don’t let the screen door hit you on the way out. I am from Georgia and proud of it. Northerners are leaving New Yerk, Philly and Bawston in droves…….. even the the natives can no longer stand the over regulation, the extreme tax theft and the high crime.
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
10:41 am
“have to actually PAY FOR your wasteful spending”
Tell us Morality, how do the Republicans plan on paying for their 2 wars, socialist Medicare Part D, the Department of Homeland Security, and all the earmarks they approved, which were all washed down with massive tax cuts? Those things were never funded, are still on the books, and most are still active expenses that require more debt.
Please answer, (without the usual distractions.)
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:42 am
road…………… are you talking to me?
if you are don’t you understand i think TOM MORELAND was great and was the reason the state of GA has the best roads in the country?
really?
Joe Hussein Mama
January 28th, 2013
10:45 am
Morality — “Northerners are leaving New Yerk, Philly and Bawston in droves…….. even the the natives can no longer stand the over regulation, the extreme tax theft and the high crime.”
How many people do you actually *know* from NYC, Philly and Boston?
The folks I know who live there and who want to move *aren’t* citing regulation, taxes and crime as the reasons they want to go elsewhere.
Ronald Reagan
January 28th, 2013
10:46 am
Liberals are the problem & intelligence is the answer! In order to graduate from High School you should be able to read, write & learn to think for yourself. Atlanta is gaining ground on Detroit with it’s Liberal mentality & corrupt Politicians!Third generation Liberalism is the problem with our Country & State.
Whatever
January 28th, 2013
10:46 am
DannyX,
Those things haven’t been paid for and that’s why I quit voting GOP and started voting for a third party since 2010. The Dems also have a long track record of not paying for things and that’s why my dad quit voting for them.
Either way, those things will have to be paid for now and the only way to do that is through drastic cuts and tax increases. Neither of which either side can agree on. It’s the fault of both parties.
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
10:46 am
“i think TOM MORELAND”
Tom Moreland had nothing to do with the funding formula.
I guess you are fine with the rural “moochers” and their road welfare. You know, the givers vs takers?
TaxPayer
January 28th, 2013
10:47 am
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:48 am
Occupy – All that stuff you are talking about hasn’t gotten Bawton out of debt or stopped them for begging for Fed gub’ment Obama handouts. You “bait and switched” like the usual Progressive Tactics. This “rube” as you call me, has a degree in Biological Chemical Engineering” from Georgia Tech and a Masters in Finance from UGA. Not bragging just want you to know that this “rube” is PROUD to be from Georgia. I was accepted to MIT also but Georgia is where God put me and where I belong. The door is till open for your departure if you aren’t happy with Georgia.
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
10:48 am
Welcome – Step back for a second and cool off. Just ask yourself: what transportation-related facility is by far the most significant in the history of the Atlanta region and remains so today?
That’s easy…Hartsfield
TaxPayer
January 28th, 2013
10:49 am
Cons naturally whine about those other perceived takers because it means that there is less for them to take.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:50 am
Morality? ” Northerners are leaving New Yerk, Philly and Bawston in droves…….. even the the natives can no longer stand the over regulation, the extreme tax theft and the high crime”
Really? Droves? Ever been to any of those cities? They’re not exactly Detroit.
Dream on, fella.
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
10:51 am
Mama – there are always exceptions – at least they have enough sense to want to escape.
Jay
January 28th, 2013
10:53 am
“considering MA debt per capita is twice what it is in GA…perhaps MA should step away from the breakfast table”
Of course, per capita debt in Alabama is one-fourth that of Georgia, so I’m not sure what that stat is supposed to tell us.
On the other hand, some stats that DO matter:Median family income in Mass. is $23,000 higher than in GA. The unemployment rate of 6.7 percent is considerably lower than GA’s 8.6 percent. Twenty percent of Georgians have no health insurance, the fourth highest in the country. Four percent of those in Massachusetts have no insurance.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 28th, 2013
10:53 am
W. T. T. Occupation — “Really? Droves? Ever been to any of those cities? They’re not exactly Detroit.”
Indeed. Anyone who’s been in downtown rush-hour traffic in Boston (especially pre-Big Dig) knows that city is ungodly crowded and its traffic is horrendous. And Manhattan residents usually don’t even own cars; they don’t need them.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:53 am
jay
are you proud of yourself…………. you have spawned a gaggle of liberals who dismiss the work of TOM MORELAND…….. one of the greatest GEORGIA DEMOCRAT PUBLIC SERVANTS of the 20th century………….. shame on you JAY……….. shame on you
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
10:54 am
Words never spoken…
when I retire I’m gonna move to Boston
td
January 28th, 2013
10:54 am
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
10:38 am
There are several things you need to understand about the south and they are NOT going to change:
1: We love the FREEDOM of our cars.
2: We love the FREEDOM of our guns.
3: We love the FREEDOM of our God
4: We love the FREEDOM of less government
5: We love the FREEDOM of being able to keep more of our money.
The sooner you realize these 5 basic tenants of the south and learn to LOVE them the better off you will be living here.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 28th, 2013
10:54 am
“Morality” — “Mama – there are always exceptions – at least they have enough sense to want to escape.”
I ask you again; how many people do you actually *know* from NYC, Philly and Boston?
The folks I know who live there and who want to move *aren’t* citing regulation, taxes and crime as the reasons they want to go elsewhere.
FWIW, I think the reasons *you* cite are the “exceptions.”
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
10:55 am
“Cons in Georgia proclaim, “If you don’t like it here you can leave,” as they whine about the US”
Lol, Taxpayer. They have been screaming hysterically for the past two months that they were leaving! To places like “socialist” Canada, or third world central American countries. Of course they also signed secession petitions.
Hey cons, Air Somalia is ready when you are.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
January 28th, 2013
10:56 am
Recon 0311 2533
January 28th, 2013
10:26 am
DEL,
Right or wrong, like it or not, John Kerry stood up for and acted upon what he believed, That is a lot more that what most of us have done.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
10:56 am
really JAY???
Mass. insurance costs again listed as most expensive in the nation
http://www.boston.com/whitecoatnotes/2012/11/09/mass-insurance-costs-again-listed-most-expensive-the-nation/QD3eDjVZM6SEOVmy7ANv7I/story.html
shouldn’t romney care, the building block of obamacare, have made premiums be the lowest in the country by NOW?
Joe Hussein Mama
January 28th, 2013
10:56 am
E. Cat — “Words never spoken… when I retire I’m gonna move to Boston”
FWIW, my wife loves it in New England, though she’s only visited there once. And given a choice, I think she’d choose Rhode Island over Massachusetts. In her words, Providence has all the charm and most of the history of Boston, but only half the dirt and construction projects.
Erwin's cat
January 28th, 2013
10:56 am
Jay – On the other hand, some stats that DO matter:Median family income in Mass. is $23,000 higher than in GA. The unemployment rate of 6.7 percent is considerably lower than GA’s 8.6 percent. Twenty percent of Georgians have no health insurance, the fourth highest in the country. Four percent of those in Massachusetts have no insurance.
It’s a little late to endorse Romney Jay…how’s the cost of living compare?
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
11:00 am
poor JAY
it cost more to live in a liberal state like MA………. way more………….
http://www.bestplaces.net/col/?salary=50000&city1=51304000&city2=52507000
A salary of $50,000 in Atlanta, Georgia should increase to $79,149 in Boston, Massachusetts
when you do a cost of living comparison……….. jay’s theory collapses
DannyX
January 28th, 2013
11:00 am
“3: We love the FREEDOM of our God”
No doubt, td!
Like the freedom to change your “word of God” Bibles. You know, like how you now demonize the poor and worship the rich. Instead of peace on earth, Shock and Awe now rule the day. Be sure you show your love of God with your freedom to ignore divorce and re-marriage law. And enjoy your freedom to throw stones at gay people! Freedom from God is more like it.
Morality?
January 28th, 2013
11:01 am
X – and that is why I did not vote “W” nor Obama. They are both FISCAL liberals. I am a FISCAL conservative. I voted Perot because he was the only one honest enough to tell us we were in trouble with the Fed debt and he was the only one with the guts to actually tell us what we needed to hear. He is the only one to actually have a plan to curb this Fed debt. As usual, the voters were conned by the PARTY LOYALISTS on the LEFT and RIGHT. Time for TERM LIMITS in Congress to rid us of these PARTY LOYALISTS that are PARTY 1st and the FISCAL future of the U.S. be damned. As I have said many times on here – I am neither a Dem nor a Repub…. I vote FISCAL conservative for the preservation of the future of the USA. I am a USA LOYALIST -
Welcome to the Occupation
January 28th, 2013
11:01 am
The same duty-dodging deception may be employed to produce the public contribution toward financing a new, retractable-roof stadium for the Atlanta Falcons
Because lord knows them rubes need their bread and football circus.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 28th, 2013
11:01 am
for you ERWIN
td
January 28th, 2013
11:02 am
Jay
January 28th, 2013
10:53 am
“On the other hand, some stats that DO matter:Median family income in Mass. is $23,000 higher than in GA. The unemployment rate of 6.7 percent is considerably lower than GA’s 8.6 percent. Twenty percent of Georgians have no health insurance, the fourth highest in the country. Four percent of those in Massachusetts have no insurance.”
And what is the cost of living in Mass as compared to GA? I saw a housing show this weekend where a similar size house right outside of Boston went for $450,000 and I paid $180,000 right outside of Atlanta.
How much is this cost of healthcare for the average middle class resident of Mass? How much more are they paying?