He inherited a mess

[Bob]

But by amplifying bad R policies he and the Dems are creating a disaster and destroying private sector jobs. It’s not the economy stupid – it’s the freedom, stupid (that create jobs.)

Obama can say that he has "created" all of these jobs -- I guess he doesnt understand net loss concept. By taking thousands of private sector jobs, and replacing a fraction with bureaucracy, and party policy enforcers, is serfdom.

[spdirty]

The Media Fall for Phony 'Jobs' Claims

The Obama Numbers Are Pure Fiction.


Tony Fratto is envious.


Mr. Fratto was a colleague of mine in the Bush administration, and as a senior member of the White House communications shop, he knows just how difficult it can be to deal with a press corps skeptical about presidential economic claims. It now appears, however, that Mr. Fratto's problem was that he simply lacked the magic words -- jobs "saved or created."


"Saved or created" has become the signature phrase for Barack Obama as he describes what his stimulus is doing for American jobs. His latest invocation came yesterday, when the president declared that the stimulus had already saved or created at least 150,000 American jobs -- and announced he was ramping up some of the stimulus spending so he could "save or create" an additional 600,000 jobs this summer. These numbers come in the context of an earlier Obama promise that his recovery plan will "save or create three to four million jobs over the next two years."
The president should 'save or create' more jobs in Cleveland.





Mr. Fratto sees a double standard at play. "We would never have used a formula like 'save or create,'" he tells me. "To begin with, the number is pure fiction -- the administration has no way to measure how many jobs are actually being 'saved.' And if we had tried to use something this flimsy, the press would never have let us get away with it."


Of course, the inability to measure Mr. Obama's jobs formula is part of its attraction. Never mind that no one -- not the Labor Department, not the Treasury, not the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- actually measures "jobs saved." As the New York Times delicately reports, Mr. Obama's jobs claims are "based on macroeconomic estimates, not an actual counting of jobs." Nice work if you can get away with it.


And get away with it he has. However dubious it may be as an economic measure, as a political formula "save or create" allows the president to invoke numbers that convey an illusion of precision. Harvard economist and former Bush economic adviser Greg Mankiw calls it a "non-measurable metric." And on his blog, he acknowledges the political attraction.


"The expression 'create or save,' which has been used regularly by the President and his economic team, is an act of political genius," writes Mr. Mankiw. "You can measure how many jobs are created between two points in time. But there is no way to measure how many jobs are saved. Even if things get much, much worse, the President can say that there would have been 4 million fewer jobs without the stimulus."


Mr. Obama's comments yesterday are a perfect illustration of just such a claim. In the months since Congress approved the stimulus, our economy has lost nearly 1.6 million jobs and unemployment has hit 9.4%. Invoke the magic words, however, and -- presto! -- you have the president claiming he has "saved or created" 150,000 jobs. It all makes for a much nicer spin, and helps you forget this is the same team that only a few months ago promised us that passing the stimulus would prevent unemployment from rising over 8%.


It's not only former Bush staffers such as Messrs. Fratto and Mankiw who have noted the political convenience here. During a March hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Chairman Max Baucus challenged Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on the formula.


"You created a situation where you cannot be wrong," said the Montana Democrat. "If the economy loses two million jobs over the next few years, you can say yes, but it would've lost 5.5 million jobs. If we create a million jobs, you can say, well, it would have lost 2.5 million jobs. You've given yourself complete leverage where you cannot be wrong, because you can take any scenario and make yourself look correct."


Now, something's wrong when the president invokes a formula that makes it impossible for him to be wrong and it goes largely unchallenged. It's true that almost any government spending will create some jobs and save others. But as Milton Friedman once pointed out, that doesn't tell you much: The government, after all, can create jobs by hiring people to dig holes and fill them in.


If the "saved or created" formula looks brilliant, it's only because Mr. Obama and his team are not being called on their claims. And don't expect much to change. So long as the news continues to repeat the administration's line that the stimulus has already "saved or created" 150,000 jobs over a time period when the U.S. economy suffered an overall job loss 10 times that number, the White House would be insane to give up a formula that allows them to spin job losses into jobs saved.


"You would think that any self-respecting White House press corps would show some of the same skepticism toward President Obama's jobs claims that they did toward President Bush's tax cuts," says Mr. Fratto. "But I'm still waiting."


Write to MainStreet@wsj.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124451592762396883.html

[frerottenextelway]

Seems like we're in for 3rd quarter growth in GDP. Who could've guessed that 6 months ago!?! The market is up 40% since it's March lows, and job losses/gains, a trailing, not leading indicator, were surprisingly optimistic last month.

It must be painful to those that want to see American fail to have to witness her begin to slowly turn the corner.

[Meck77]

Originally Posted by frerottenextelway

Seems like we're in for 3rd quarter growth in GDP. Who could've guessed that 6 months ago!?! The market is up 40% since it's March lows, and job losses/gains, a trailing, not leading indicator, were surprisingly optimistic last month.

It must be painful to those that want to see American fail to have to witness her begin to slowly turn the corner.

The bill will come due and it's going to be worse the next go round. Corner?

[Spider]

Looks Like I am heading to Texas tomorrow

[spdirty]

Originally Posted by frerottenextelway

Seems like we're in for 3rd quarter growth in GDP. Who could've guessed that 6 months ago!?! The market is up 40% since it's March lows, and job losses/gains, a trailing, not leading indicator, were surprisingly optimistic last month.

It must be painful to those that want to see American fail to have to witness her begin to slowly turn the corner.

can I borrow a pair of those rosy glasses? Dont get me wrong I hope your right but unemployment just hit 9.4%, dont know how we will dodge some pretty tough inflation, the new "pay as you go" talk they are spouting today is just code for "lets raise taxes" rather than "lets not spend as much money as we're taking in" which will get the rich ****ers that are the true job creators to pocket their cash and not invest and not try to expand their businesses.

I mean please explain how we will get economic growth next quarter. I sure as hell hope so cuz work in my industry is getting scarce and competition for that work is getting to the point where some of our competitors are starting to bomb the jobs that are coming out.

[frerottenextelway]

Originally Posted by spdirty

can I borrow a pair of those rosy glasses?

Other than my last line editorial, there was nothing I wrote that isn't either a hard fact or the mainstream opinion amongst economists.

Originally Posted by spdirty

I mean please explain how we will get economic growth next quarter.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisvill...5/daily27.html

(snip)

A panel of 45 U.S. economists expects a "modest" economic rebound to begin in the second half of 2009, picking up steam in 2010, according to the National Association for Business Economics.

"The panel ... (predicts) positive, albeit modest, growth in the third quarter, followed by steady improvement thereafter,"

There are quite a few other sources saying the same thing.

[watermock]

Where exactly ARE these jobs?

Last time I checked, 700 Chrysler franchises were going out of business today, ones that paid their own floorplan, their own employees, their own contributions to heath care, 401k's and were contributors to main street.

Anyone can drive by a road work and see 2 poeple working while 8 stand around.

[Meck77]

I hate to tell you this SP but FasTracks could be toast. Not sure if you were still working on those contracts. A full blown Audit was just approved. The head ahole in charge is basically under investigation now and is resigning in about a month or so. Myself and some other omaners looked that weasel right in the eye just a year and a half ago. Criminal charges might be a stretch as he has deep pockets but at least he won't be banking $1M per year of tax payer dollars and cutting side deals all over Denver anymore.

The audit is still kinda hush hush but you can read about the lawsuits and other crap in todays Denver Post. Basically RTD has been caught acting illegally AGAIN. Nothing new.

Karma!

[frerottenextelway]

Originally Posted by watermock

Where exactly ARE these jobs?

Last time I checked, 700 Chrysler franchises were going out of business today, ones that paid their own floorplan, their own employees, their own contributions to heath care, 401k's and were contributors to main street.

Anyone can drive by a road work and see 2 poeple working while 8 stand around.

The UE rate is expected to peak around 10%. GDP growth typically returns before the UE rate retreats, as UE is a lagging indicator not a leading indicator.

[spdirty]

Originally Posted by Meck77

I hate to tell you this SP but FasTracks could be toast. Not sure if you were still working on those contracts. A full blown Audit was just approved. The head ahole in charge is basically under investigation now and is resigning in about a month or so. Myself and some other omaners looked that weasel right in the eye just a year and a half ago. Criminal charges might be a stretch as he has deep pockets but at least he won't be banking $1M per year of tax payer dollars and cutting side deals all over Denver anymore.

The audit is still kinda hush hush but you can read about the lawsuits and other crap in todays Denver Post. Basically RTD has been caught acting illegally AGAIN. Nothing new.

Karma!

Sent a second bid out in April, havent heard anything since. Was pretty optimistic and was told our numbers were good, but silence ever since.

Its a 4 year 250K job with virtually no material costs. Most of it is pull signs out and put em back in. Getting that baby would nearly protect us from future uncertain economic times.

Wouldnt be surprised if we have to send another bid out later this year or next year. Anyway, let me know if you hear anything. Kinda sick that you and I are sitting on opposite ends of this deal, but if it is toast at least a lot of folks get to keep their land.

[watermock]

Originally Posted by frerottenextelway

The UE rate is expected to peak around 10%. GDP growth typically returns before the UE rate retreats, as UE is a lagging indicator not a leading indicator.

Does that have to do with my comment?

I know UE laggs.

UE will be 10.8 despite the phoney, unsustainable jobs cooked up by obama.

[BroncoBuff]

Maybe the numbers are fudged some, but how about this: 11 of the biggest banks are set to repay Bush's bailout monies, and the smart money says the recession will be over by the end of the year. Unemployment is a lagging statistic, admittedly, but the numbers will turn around in 2010.







Bob, you like apples?

Well, Obama is fixing Bush's broken economy ...

how do you like THEM apples?

[Bob]

Originally Posted by frerottenextelway

Seems like we're in for 3rd quarter growth in GDP. Who could've guessed that 6 months ago!?! The market is up 40% since it's March lows, and job losses/gains, a trailing, not leading indicator, were surprisingly optimistic last month.

It must be painful to those that want to see American fail to have to witness her begin to slowly turn the corner.

I hope I'm wrong, but will bet you one Morgan silver dollar with you or the first one to take my offer, that in 24 months we will be above 20% unemployment. I personally think that inflation will be above 20% by then as well, by that time (if not way, way higher.) I would simply love to lose that bet. But EVERY move the government makes lately is to create bigger problems, so they can grab more of your freedoms, while claiming thier just trying to help. Bull Crap! Why did they resist "letting" banks pay back TARP money for so long? Its to control them, tell em how much they can earn, and to spend, and who's running what. Its blood money. Now we are going to get a new pay Czar, and does Congress over-see his work? Nope, he's only accountable to teh Czar Czar (that would be Obama.)

We are not doiing anything but destroying the dollar, and creating a few government jobs for every 100 private sector jobs lost. Obama is doing many of the same dumb things that Bush did with the first bailout.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff

Maybe the numbers are fudged some, but how about this: 11 of the biggest banks are set to repay Bush's bailout monies, and the smart money says the recession will be over by the end of the year. Unemployment is a lagging statistic, admittedly, but the numbers will turn around in 2010.







Bob, you like apples?

Well, Obama is fixing Bush's broken economy ...

how do you like THEM apples?

And how did the economy get broken, moron? By over-spending (or at least it was 1 year ago) and housing that was inflated by insane policies, put in place by both parties -- but now more intense over-spending is the solution as a party lable has changed? Dude you are too dumb to realize your on the Titanic with Americans not D's and R's -- and right now your having a "traditional" pointless conversation about the position of the chairs on its deck, or about eating apples? My grandfather had to sell them to make it through the depression, but he never had to pay $200.00 for one. I dont give a damn about how long Obama can talk about what he inherited, the idiot is more concerned about blame, than doing the thing he needs to do -- SPEND LESS -- NOT MORE!!!!!

I am just slightly concerned that he is shreading the Constitution, and destroying the dollar, much like those in power before him had started, and for some reason he wants to perfect. Again, not left and right -- although the small while drowning, talk about apples. Its about progressive folks in both parties who take power, that's not their's to take, its literally about the survival of our country.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Bob

But by amplifying bad R policies he and the Dems are creating a disaster and destroying private sector jobs. It’s not the economy stupid – it’s the freedom, stupid (that create jobs.)

Obama can say that he has "created" all of these jobs -- I guess he doesnt understand net loss concept. By taking thousands of private sector jobs, and replacing a fraction with bureaucracy, and party policy enforcers, is serfdom.

The banks are repaying $87 Billion worth of bailouts back to the Government. In fact that first bailout package the Government made money. Gee maybe all these fear tactics by the Repubes are just that . Fear Tactics

[Bob]

Originally Posted by Atlas

The banks are repaying $87 Billion worth of bailouts back to the Government. In fact that first bailout package the Government made money. Gee maybe all these fear tactics by the Repubes are just that . Fear Tactics

And how long did the banks have to fight for that right Too damn long. And now folks are thinking -- wow, what a nice guy? AGAIN, They have been trying to pay it back for months, once they saw how the government would hold a hammer and sickle over them. If the public hadnt found out about the dictorial behavor, I dont think they would have let go of teh blood money.

One would think that TARP money paid would now be used to pay down the debt (as is written into the law Congress passed) but no, the elf secratary of treasury has decreed it will go into a slush fund, for potental future bailouts...and tommarow we are issung more bonds (about the same amount) to cover our debts -- wonder if anyone (besides the feds) will buy those bonds?

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by Bob

But by amplifying bad R policies he and the Dems are creating a disaster and destroying private sector jobs. It’s not the economy stupid – it’s the freedom, stupid (that create jobs.)

Obama can say that he has "created" all of these jobs -- I guess he doesnt understand net loss concept. By taking thousands of private sector jobs, and replacing a fraction with bureaucracy, and party policy enforcers, is serfdom.

What would you suggest?

[TailgateNut]

Originally Posted by Meck77

I hate to tell you this SP but FasTracks could be toast. Not sure if you were still working on those contracts. A full blown Audit was just approved. The head ahole in charge is basically under investigation now and is resigning in about a month or so. Myself and some other omaners looked that weasel right in the eye just a year and a half ago. Criminal charges might be a stretch as he has deep pockets but at least he won't be banking $1M per year of tax payer dollars and cutting side deals all over Denver anymore.

The audit is still kinda hush hush but you can read about the lawsuits and other crap in todays Denver Post. Basically RTD has been caught acting illegally AGAIN. Nothing new.

Karma!

I hope RTD, as a whole, takes a ****ing dive in the ****ter. I'm done working with them and tired of seeing all those empty buses driving around town keeping the oil company profits up.

[TailgateNut]

Originally Posted by spdirty

Sent a second bid out in April, havent heard anything since. Was pretty optimistic and was told our numbers were good, but silence ever since.

Its a 4 year 250K job with virtually no material costs. Most of it is pull signs out and put em back in. Getting that baby would nearly protect us from future uncertain economic times.

Wouldnt be surprised if we have to send another bid out later this year or next year. Anyway, let me know if you hear anything. Kinda sick that you and I are sitting on opposite ends of this deal, but if it is toast at least a lot of folks get to keep their land.

Since when do they allow more than one bid per pay item/per project?
On which planet is this project been done?
4yrs @ $250K = 60k+ p. yr. WOW
Are there any employees involved?

[Meck77]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

I hope RTD, as a whole, takes a ****ing dive in the ****ter. I'm done working with them and tired of seeing all those empty buses driving around town keeping the oil company profits up.

The denver post is so far up RTDs ass they aren't even covering the story. I heard about it only because of the property rights group I've been fighting with. Anyhow Nut you good friend Tochtrop is leading the charge to fix RTD. That's politics though Nut. Sometimes you are on the same side sometimes you are on the other. Anyhow an email to her, Kerr, and the rest of the audit committee might not hurt from a citizen like you who has tried to work with those bums. Flat out I can tell you Cal and the rest of the crooks haven't cared about building the rail. It's been about the land.

If you think the buses are empty when you drive down I-25 take a look at how many people are hustling around those light rail stations. They are a ghost town except for a few runs in the morning and evening. The east coaster Marsella sold it to us as if it would be like New Jersey with hundreds of thousands of people scrambling to use the trains.

Ironically enough the head crook Marsella submitted his resignation to start in July. See date when Audit is to begin in the article below. Got to love messageboards. I had a few people tell me that I was making things up about the management of RTD. Granted these were internet personalities from around here but it's just good to know that our legislators are listening to the voters who pushed for this audit led by the Colorado Property Rights Coalition of Colorado. (Nut you met some of those people) and you were one of them for the day.

Hopefully more cockroaches will scramble from RTD and the organization can get back on track to providing TRANSIT needs of the people once all the fat, excess, and flat out theft of tax payer money is discovered.


RTD Audit

RTD one step closer to a state audit

June 8, 2009

Face The State Staff Report

The Legislative Audit Committee unanimously voted today to proceed an audit of
Denver's Regional Transportation District, but only once its scope can be pared
down to a more manageable size.

TochtropFTS File Photo

RTD, created by the General Assembly in 1969, has grown to be one of Colorado's
largest speical district governments with an annual budget of over $382 million.
The district is primarily funded by a 1% sales tax on goods sold within its
8-county service area. Both its elected directors and management staff have been
criticized in recent years for poor handling of eminent domain takings and
questionable spending on travel and other perks.

State Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, proposed an audit of RTD this spring while
the legislature was in session. Her request was quickly echoed by RTD critics
including those angered over the transit district's handling of property
condemnations for a new rail line. While members of the committee support the
audit, they cautioned that RTD is a massive bureaucracy and any audit would need
to be very specific.

"I like the idea of doing this, but my only concern is if this request is
specific enough," said committee member Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado
Springs.

State statute requires the auditor's office do a performance audit of RTD at
least every five years. The last audit was in 2006 and examined a wide swath of
issues, including fares, routes, driver training, emergency training and
strategic planning.

Tochtrop said the previous audit was too broad and insisted the Office of the
State Auditor focus specifically on the overbudget FasTracks project, a rail
expansion approved by voters in 2004. It was initially sold to voters at a cost
of $4.6 billion but the price tag has since ballooned to over $7 billion.

Tochtrop also referenced the handling of recent negotiations between RTD and the
union representing 1,900 of its drivers, mechanics and service workers. "We need
to figure out what's going with management," she said.

Tochtrop also raised specific concerns about RTD general manager Cal Marsella's
pay and benefits. As detailed previously by Face The State, Marsella's contract
with RTD earns him over $300,000 annually in addition to accrued pension
benefits and paid time off. According to Marsella, he will also cash in on at
least $265,000 of paid time off when he leaves RTD at the end of July for a job
with a firm closely tied to public transit contracting.

"Marsella's bonus package and salary are very upsetting to me," Tochtrop said,
adding she didn't think it is right for public employees to earn such large
bonuses.

Tochtrop and State Auditor Sally Symanski will spend the next month narrowing
the focus of the audit and the committee will vote on a more specific proposal
at its July meeting.

"RTD is a large and complex organization. We want to make sure we focus on the
questions that are of the most interest and the most answerable," Symanski said.

[TailgateNut]

Originally Posted by Meck77

The denver post is so far up RTDs ass they aren't even covering the story. I heard about it only because of the property rights group I've been fighting with. Anyhow Nut you good friend Tochtrop is leading the charge to fix RTD. That's politics though Nut. Sometimes you are on the same side sometimes you are on the other. Anyhow an email to her, Kerr, and the rest of the audit committee might not hurt from a citizen like you who has tried to work with those bums. Flat out I can tell you Cal and the rest of the crooks haven't cared about building the rail. It's been about the land.

If you think the buses are empty when you drive down I-25 take a look at how many people are hustling around those light rail stations. They are a ghost town except for a few runs in the morning and evening. The east coaster Marsella sold it to us as if it would be like New Jersey with hundreds of thousands of people scrambling to use the trains.

Ironically enough the head crook Marsella submitted his resignation to start in July. See date when Audit is to begin in the article below. Got to love messageboards. I had a few people tell me that I was making things up about the management of RTD. Granted these were internet personalities from around here but it's just good to know that our legislators are listening to the voters who pushed for this audit led by the Colorado Property Rights Coalition of Colorado. (Nut you met some of those people) and you were one of them for the day.

Hopefully more cockroaches will scramble from RTD and the organization can get back on track to providing TRANSIT needs of the people once all the fat, excess, and flat out theft of tax payer money is discovered.


RTD Audit

RTD one step closer to a state audit

June 8, 2009

Face The State Staff Report

The Legislative Audit Committee unanimously voted today to proceed an audit of
Denver's Regional Transportation District, but only once its scope can be pared
down to a more manageable size.

TochtropFTS File Photo

RTD, created by the General Assembly in 1969, has grown to be one of Colorado's
largest speical district governments with an annual budget of over $382 million.
The district is primarily funded by a 1% sales tax on goods sold within its
8-county service area. Both its elected directors and management staff have been
criticized in recent years for poor handling of eminent domain takings and
questionable spending on travel and other perks.

State Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, proposed an audit of RTD this spring while
the legislature was in session. Her request was quickly echoed by RTD critics
including those angered over the transit district's handling of property
condemnations for a new rail line. While members of the committee support the
audit, they cautioned that RTD is a massive bureaucracy and any audit would need
to be very specific.

"I like the idea of doing this, but my only concern is if this request is
specific enough," said committee member Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado
Springs.

State statute requires the auditor's office do a performance audit of RTD at
least every five years. The last audit was in 2006 and examined a wide swath of
issues, including fares, routes, driver training, emergency training and
strategic planning.

Tochtrop said the previous audit was too broad and insisted the Office of the
State Auditor focus specifically on the overbudget FasTracks project, a rail
expansion approved by voters in 2004. It was initially sold to voters at a cost
of $4.6 billion but the price tag has since ballooned to over $7 billion.

Tochtrop also referenced the handling of recent negotiations between RTD and the
union representing 1,900 of its drivers, mechanics and service workers. "We need
to figure out what's going with management," she said.

Tochtrop also raised specific concerns about RTD general manager Cal Marsella's
pay and benefits. As detailed previously by Face The State, Marsella's contract
with RTD earns him over $300,000 annually in addition to accrued pension
benefits and paid time off. According to Marsella, he will also cash in on at
least $265,000 of paid time off when he leaves RTD at the end of July for a job
with a firm closely tied to public transit contracting.

"Marsella's bonus package and salary are very upsetting to me," Tochtrop said,
adding she didn't think it is right for public employees to earn such large
bonuses.

Tochtrop and State Auditor Sally Symanski will spend the next month narrowing
the focus of the audit and the committee will vote on a more specific proposal
at its July meeting.

"RTD is a large and complex organization. We want to make sure we focus on the
questions that are of the most interest and the most answerable," Symanski said.

I'm all up to date on the "happenings" at "your favorite organization".

We have decided not to work with/ bid on RTD projects from this day forward.
They are "snakes in the grass", and their mismanagement and SOP to screw the contractors due to their incompetence is ridiculous. We generally have wonderful longterm relationships with owners/ developers/ and municipalities, but RTD is an exception to the rule.

[Rigs11]

the repubs are scared. Their party is in disarray. they have Newt, Dick and fatboy as their "leaders". They know that if obama suceeds they will be facked for years to come.Job losses are lower then they were last month.Banks are repaying bailout money.Israel just got told that they can't do whatever the hell they want. scary huh repubs?

[Meck77]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

I'm all up to date on the "happenings" at "your favorite organization".

We have decided not to work with/ bid on RTD projects from this day forward.
They are "snakes in the grass", and their mismanagement and SOP to screw the contractors due to their incompetence is ridiculous. We generally have wonderful longterm relationships with owners/ developers/ and municipalities, but RTD is an exception to the rule.

That's good Nut. You and I are often on the other side of the isle when it comes to politics but it please me to know you stay active, informed, and aren't afraid to call politicians to the turf. Our government would certainly be more efficient if more citizens got involved.

The sad thing is RTD is representative of the inefficiency of big government in general. RTD can't handle a choo choo train project. How in the world can we expect Obama and Co to save our economy by WASTING trillions of tax dollars with inefficient spending?

There are thousands of Mayors, Cal Marsellas, Transit directors, Transportation authorities who are crooked across this country. They are the ones who are going to benefit from the Stimulus bucks. The average small businessman like you and myself can only hope to catch some wave of "trickle down" effect. Actually I take that back. I have no expectations from the government to help me with my businesses other than staying the hell out of my way as much as possible. That reason alone is a reason I moved away from the big city to a rural county where the government doesn't interfere. I'm so used to the BS of Aurora/Denver etc that when I call my local county government a question about business they usually just tell me "Go ahead and do what you want to do". I freakin love it. Not to mention I can fire hire powered weapons with a beer in my hand out my back door of my business.

[TailgateNut]

Originally Posted by Meck77

That's good Nut. You and I are often on the other side of the isle when it comes to politics but it please me to know you stay active, informed, and aren't afraid to call politicians to the turf. Our government would certainly be more efficient if more citizens got involved.

The sad thing is RTD is representative of the inefficiency of big government in general. RTD can't handle a choo choo train project. How in the world can we expect Obama and Co to save our economy by WASTING trillions of tax dollars with inefficient spending?

There are thousands of Mayors, Cal Marsellas, Transit directors, Transportation authorities who are crooked across this country. They are the ones who are going to benefit from the Stimulus bucks. The average small businessman like you and myself can only hope to catch some wave of "trickle down" effect. Actually I take that back. I have no expectations from the government to help me with my businesses other than staying the hell out of my way as much as possible. That reason alone is a reason I moved away from the big city to a rural county where the government doesn't interfere. I'm so used to the BS of Aurora/Denver etc that when I call my local county government a question about business they usually just tell me "Go ahead and do what you want to do". I freakin love it. Not to mention I can fire hire powered weapons with a beer in my hand out my back door of my business.

Don't even get me started on Aurora. Their city goverment is so bloated it resembles a dead body which has been floating in the "drink" for weeks.

Their permitting process is assinine. In lieu of a genaral bldg permit, they itemize each minute task, and required a seperate permit for each. I guess it validates the need for 10x the personell it would take if they streamlined the process. I'm not b****ing about fees, just the nightmare of 25 permits when one would do the trick.