Looks like a certain international global community corp. may win over good ole American unions, want us to let go of the control of our highways. What happens when outside interests place outside interest of transportation of goods in their own hands?
Many feel that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was in some way corrupt, but we still had the food delivered by union workers that spent money on housing and paid taxes to the state.
What happens if the worm turns? America is without transport of essential goods, all of them.
Pennsylvania should not add itself to the list of STATES THAT CANNOT CONTROL THEIR OWN INTERESTS, why should we play follow the leader if the eventual outcome down the “road” is our own dis”truck”tion (destruction) voted on by politicos that could not manage funds.
Coupled with this:
NAFTA HIGHWAY
Once complete, the new road will allow containers from the Far East to enter the United States through the Mexican port of Lazaro Cardenas, bypassing the Longshoreman’s Union in the process. The Mexican trucks, without the involvement of the Teamsters Union, will drive on what will be the nation’s most modern highway straight into the heart of America. The Mexican trucks will cross border in FAST lanes, checked only electronically by the new “SENTRI” system. The first customs stop will be a Mexican customs office in Kansas City, their new Smart Port complex, a facility being built for Mexico at a cost of $3 million to the U.S. taxpayers in Kansas City.
The story unfolds:
Following the Federal No to tolling I-80 on Thursday (2008-09-11) Governor Ed Rendell immediately called for enabling legislation to proceed with the agreed lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the Abertis/Citi team which has a $12.8 billion offer in effect until Sept 30. Rendell says “It’s the only plan.” He says without it the state is back into financial crisis.
Under the Turnpike Commission’s agreement with the state it loses half the expected $900m in lease payments from the Turnpike Commission in 2010 if tolling doesn’t proceed on I-80. And instead of growing, the payments to the state stay at $450m/year, regardless of inflation.
Evans, appropriations chair says will lead the push for legislation
There are growing signs of legislative support for HB2593, the enabling legislation to allow the $12.8b lease to proceed. House Appropriations Dwight Evans a
prominent Philadelphia Democrat today said he believes the lease is the best option for the state. He said he will take the lead in moving for debate and passage of the enabling legislation.
“I am prepared to take the lead because I believe it’s our best available option. I am prepared to vote yes,” said Evans in a statement his office issued today.
Evans said: “I urge fellow House members to look seriously at a proposal that allows the state to lease the Turnpike to a private consortium to raise money for roads, bridges and mass transit in Pennsylvania. It is high time this matter be brought to the full House for a debate and a vote.”
Another Philadelphia Democrat Rep Jewel Williams, and a Pittsburgh Rep Jake Wheatley have also come out for the Abertis/Citi concession today. 
Active lobbying
The concession partners have a major lobbying operation going on alongside that of the Governor in support of HB2593. So too, of course, does the Turnpike Commission and its supporters in opposition.
Jim Courtovich who leads the lobbying campaign for Abertis/Citi Partners today declined to provide his estimates of the numbers for, against, undecided on HB2593. He said he doesn’t know yet how the I-80 decision has affected them but predicts many will be be looking more actively at the case for a lease now that the prospect of I-80 tolls has been dashed.
“The issues are clearer now that the tolling of I-80 has been dispatched,” he said: “We are optimistic.”
The old Vince Fumo political machine in Philadelphia that has been a huge base of support for the Turnpike Commission is showing signs of losing its grip, Courtovich says.
The willingness of leading Democrats in the Philadelphia area, once Fumo turf, to take an
independent position is Courtovich says: “big, very big.”
Dwight Evans sponsored the enabling legislation last session, and said at the time that it deserved to be debated. But now he says he supports it, and will lead the effort to get it passed. Evans is chair of the House appropriations committee.
There are few signs however that others in the leadership have broken with the Turnpike Commission
Mexican American Legal Defense Fund founder Mario Obledo stated, “California is going to be a Hispanic state. Anyone who doesn’t like it should leave. Every constitutional office in California is going to be held by Hispanics in the next 20 years.” People who don’t like such demographic changes “should go back to Europe.” (Incidentally, Mr. Obledo was also the California Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under Gov. Jerry Brown.)
http://www.limitstogrowth.org/WEB-text/aztlan.html
Outside interests see us for what we really are: a land that has lost control. Our cities have high crime,junkies, whores and trash in the streets.
We, as Americans are not fighting back, will not fight back. The result will be the study made on us, walk in and take anything and anyone we want; after all it seems to be the American way now. No fight, just handed over.