The Road To Hell And Back
Americans are being taken for a ride . . .
Studies show Americans spend more time than ever commuting and for a growing number, getting to work takes more than an hour. In the most recent U.S. Census Bureau study, 2.8 million people have so-called extreme commutes, topping 90 minutes.This can be described as either 'VERY deep denial' or 'paid shill.'
[For example,] Dave Givens drives 370 miles to work and back every day and considers his seven-hour commute the best answer to balancing his work with his personal life.
Longer commutes frequently involve people who live in one suburb and work in another, said Alan Pisarski, author of "Commuting in America."Such a pattern tends to begin with companies moving out of a city to a suburb, enticing workers to move to less-expensive outer suburbs, he told Reuters. "People see this as an opportunity to go farther away" [!!!].
Such a move may provide more affordable housing or better schools. Even high fuel costs — Givens spends about $185 a week on gasoline [!!!] — can pay off in a better quality of life, Pisarski said.
Sure - better quality of life for Big Oil manufacturers!
Doreen DeJesus rides a bus from her home in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, across New Jersey to her job in Manhattan.
* * *"My boss thinks I'm nuts," she added.
He's not alone.
That means governments have had AT LEAST 10 years to improve the situation. Instead, conditions have gotten MUCH worse.Studies show 7.6 percent of U.S. commuters traveled more than an hour to work in 2004, the most recent data available, up from 6 percent in 1990. The average one-way commute grew by 13 percent to 25.5 minutes between 1990 and 2000.
In 1990, only in New York state did more than 10 percent of workers spend more than an hour to get to work, Pisarski said. Now that situation can be found in New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois and California as well, he said.
Added to long commutes is increased congestion, according to the Texas Transportation Institute's 2005 Urban Mobility Report. Commuters typically spent 47 hours a year in traffic jams, up from 40 hours a decade earlier, the study showed.But, why?"That's the time wasted above and beyond just being able to make the trip," said David Schrank, co-author of the report.
Corporations can't sell more cars (i.e., make more loans and sell more gas) if governments improve their infrastructure and update and expand the nation's mass transit.
Wakeup people. America's commuter madness, replete with suburban sprawl and gas guzzling SUVs did not come about by chance. It was an elaborate design concocted by industrialists, financed by banks and executed by the governments we "elect."
And now that they've exhausted the market for sales of their stupid cars, they're closing the plants down and selling our land, our roads and our ports! Nothing's immune - everything must go!
[But,] Kay Phillips who [works] 164 miles from her home [says] "I don't mind" [.][She] uses her five-hour commute [to pray.]
With where we're going in America, she's going to need it.
The question is, will we make it back?
posted by qrswave @ Friday, April 21, 2006
31 Comments:
clean house totally, not just the office of the president, congress also.
And start term limits 2 years after 2 years new blood and fresh idea's non of this 30 years in congress bull shit 2 years and your out and can not be re-elected after you have served your time. This would solve the corruption problem in congress.
There are many great americans with great idea's that love this country who would love to serve in congress for the people not self interest.
KEEP THE JOBS AND MONEY HERE AND AND STRIVE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURSES.
As far as the other countries go fuckem we were the givers before we became the takers, time to revert back and take care of our own.
Rid our-selves of welfare and make an obligation that all americans can earn a decent living working hard, not dependent on other to do the work for us.
You have a kid you get a job you support that kid, by working hard and taking pride in your work. I could go on but ill close with :
If there is another terroist attack here in these united states and bush declares himself the war president, and no elections, let the tanks roll down pennsylvania avenue.
Hear, Hear!
Anyone know of any ETF's that effectivly short the US$Dollar?
No. But if you find out, let us know!
I don't know how much longer this can last.
Lousy (and costly) transit, rising gas prices, increasing tolls, sky-high insurance, and ridiculous cost of living. Something's gotta give.
COAL LIQUEFACTION!
So does anyone have a tank?
Great article Qrswave! I thought it was only me. I moved from CA to WA to get a better quality of life, yet somehow I still have an hour commute each way. And yes I could live closer to work, but who knows how long I will be here. And work moved first not me.
It is all starting to make sense now.
borkafatty
Well I agree that we need to get rid of everyone in Congress especially all the rich white people in Congress. In fact you should check out a series I am working on called they all most go which his both here where I am a guest blogger and at http://progressivesagainstdemocrats.blogspot.com . But let's me careful. Their is a reason it is called idiot America and most people in this country are at least to some degreed brainwashed fools.
And when you say have kid get a job that shows that you are a part of all this. First more jobs have people doing things that contribute to the evil of the world that the good of the world. If that argument is to complicated for you try this one, it also often costs more for childcare than an hour than a person makes a job during an hour.
Myself I would like to see qrswave run for Congress.
Back to the original topic, yes it is crazy. People who drive SUV's, trucks, minivans, etc. are all idiots. Anyone who thinks they look cool driving an SUV you don't, you just look dumb. Driving hours to work is also dumb, especially when most people's work is meaningless. Yeah you help x company, move to suburbia hell, and spend hours driving and they thank you by laying you off and sending your job to another country because they can get 8 year olds to work there.
Do you know about the history of Detroit's mass transit? It started building a subway, but this system was torn down after General Motors had its way.
You can read about this on the following link:
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=9040
My point is that there has been documentation of Big Auto ensuring that environmentally friendly mass transit never takes hold in America.
It is a wonder that NYC still has its subway - but then again, the system is falling apart and badly in need of repairs that are promised, yet never happen. Did you know that the Second Avenue Subway tunnels were made more than fifty years ago, and yet no stations have been put in? The subway system has remained stagnant for at least fifty years, while the city has grown tremendously in population.
I think some of this all is an outright conspiracy, some of it is due to penny pinching, short sighted politicians, and some of it is due to the lack of initiative.
It's all those factors rolled up into one.
Citisucks,
Um...no...there are good people in Congress. I do NOT agree with you that everyone should be gotten rid of. I will now list the three representatives I have voted for or who represented me in my life...as you see, two of the three are great.
The first person I voted for was Maurice Hinchey, who represents Tompkins County, NY. He is a WHITE Congressman, and yet he has balls and gumption. He is an old time progressive. (I know him because I voted for him when I lived in Ithaca)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Hinchey
He rocks.
My sister is also friends with the daughter of Steve Israel, and seems to like him. I spoke with him about the Iraq War and was not happy with his platitudes, though his daughter is a very sweet. :-p He is the representative for my home town on Long Island, and is, in my opinion, endemic of the problems of Democrats. (he is a "conservative Democrat" - whatever!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Israel
My current representative is someone I am very proud of - Major Owens. He never supported the war in Iraq, and is a great member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Owens
Other great Congressmen include the entire Congressional Black Caucus, Progressive Democrats (http://www.pdamerica.org/), and certain select members of the Senate. By select members, I would say I am happy with Russ Feingold, Barbara Boxer, and Barak Obama. Then there's the ONE good republican, Rep. Ron Paul.
There are some good ones. I heard Howard Dean speak, and he was inspirational. It is stupid and, frankly, counterproductive, to say there should be a house cleaning of every single person in Congress.
I forgot to include Jim McDermott of Washington, Louise Slaughter of NY, and of course Dennis Kucinich of Ohio - all are great, and progressive.
MANY Democrats in the House voted against the war in Iraq. Those who didn't are now lining up to apologize for their votes. (except for the awful Hillary Clinton, but that's another story) To say there should be a "house cleaning" is foolish and would get rid of fine and experienced men and women who are poised to be the leaders of the groundswell that needs to happen to bring America back to its former glory.
Democrats, though painted as such by the media, are not merely "Republican light." There is a difference - though not with every candidate. I wouldn't say Joe Lieberman is worthy of a vote, but Russ Feingold is. Both are Dems.
I constantly hear of how crap the Democrats are, and yet these very same people will hail all sorts of praises on the Congressional Black Caucus, Dennis Kucinich, etc. Such a position ('Dems are all crap, except for these people') does not make sense when "these people" actually number in the hundreds.
If "these people" number in the hundreds as you say, they sure know how to keep a low profile, because I haven't heard anything about them.
And as far as "Those who didn't [vote against the war and] are now lining up to apologize for their votes."
Sorry. Too little, too late. They belong on the sidewalk.
There are two parties? i don't agree with the term Republican lite either. Democrats aren't Republican lite, they are just Republicans w/a pro choice stance. It was really hard for me to tell given that everyone's voting records look exactly the same. Speaking of gas I wouldn't even waste, gas to vote for a Democrap. Fortunetly, in the district I am moving to their will be a Green Party candidate out to attempt overthrow the good old girl who acts like a good old boy.
Really, it is like fans of two rival football teams. People will go all out for one team or the other. But ultimately it only about loyalty and other basic human needs-perhaps you like one team better than the other because they have a hotter player or the team is located closer to you. But is one really better than the other?
If you still don't believe me please check out this link:
http://www.therealdifference.org/issues.html
You will see from this when it call comes down to it, if you are a true progressive than you are a Green.
I have been looking for a voting record on the war in Iraq, but from my memory, actually at least 100 Dems in the House voted against it.
Those who voted for the war - guess what - they made a mistake. To say "there is nothing you can do to make things right" encourages those to keep their current position. In fact, those who have changed their minds are now very powerful voices for change - see Rep Jack Murtha.
Everyone has made a mistake in their lives - the question is whether a person is willing to admit their error and pledge to change the situation. I think admitting error is admirable.
Citisucks, I already conceded that the DLC is a corrupt institution. But it is a mistake to label all Dems as such.
I do not blindly vote from the Democrat just because the person is a Democrat. I will not be voting for Hillary Clinton when she runs in November for reelection, as an example. I think the wise path to follow is to look at the individual candidate, see what their stance is, and vote accordingly. The mistake would be to demonize all Dems (or even all Repugs, as there are a couple that are okay).
The entire party is not corrupt. I heard Howard Dean speak a little over a month ago, and he was sensationally inspirational. The problem is that the MEDIA does not portray the stance of the minority party. The message is not out there. I could go on and on, documenting the times major Dems have spoken out against the administration, and don't get airtime. YES, there are corrupt and feckless Dems within the party. YES, the party does need reform. But the core principles are good and worth standing behind. I am a progressive and a Democrat at the same time, and don't see that as an oxymoron.
Miss r said: "To say "there is nothing you can do to make things right" encourages those to keep their current position."
So what? They can keep 'their current position' on the sidewalk.
"I think admitting error is admirable."
Some mistakes are inexcusable. This is one of them.
I thought you wanted change. I thought you wanted the war to end.
In order for the war to end, people who voted for the war have to admit their error and bring the troops home.
If you actually want change to happen, you have to be willing to accept that people make mistakes and want to right the wrong.
Otherwise, the wrong stays wrong and nothing is done about it.
what are you talking about? They're not going to do anything before November, anyway.
And come November they won't have to . . . CLEAN HOUSE in November!!!
Anyone who voted for the war should be thrown in jail; voting them out of office is being kind.
What Qrswave said plus:
Miss r said: "To say "there is nothing you can do to make things right" encourages those to keep their current position."
The Democrats have positions? I thought there position was yeah, whatever that rethug said, murdering the children sounds good, can we just go already by limmo is waiting!
"I think admitting error is admirable."
The time difference between the Democrats and Republicans admitting they screwed up was almost indistinguisable. Everyone is beginning to turn against Bu$h. They know they better if they want to get reelected.
Put even more so than that, the Democrats seem to keep screwing up. Not wait it isn't a screw up, it is a handout to their corporate terrrorist good old boy friends. The screw ups don't seem to stop: the bankruptcy bill, CAFTA, and numerous other less publized votes. Not only that the Democrats put Bu$h in power but not doing what the Green Party suggested and asking for a recount. And yet the Democrats still can't take responsibility for their bad decisions and still blame the Green Party the one party who said recount the votes.
Anyway what have the Democrats done to bring the troops home. Did they stand in protet w/Cindy when a prime opportunity present itself?
The good news is we can elect people who will create real change into power. We just need to believe we can and give up the fantasy that is the Democratic party.
Revolution,
Citisucks
QRS,
The reason nothing will happen until November is because Repugs are in power. However, Jack Murtha, as an example, has pledged to end the war in Iraq - a war he originally voted for. Voting him out of office would be a huge mistake.
Jail is too kind, I say exile them to some city or town they destroyed! Actually bad idea that would be punishment to the people in the town.
Of coure Murtha is saying that, he is trying to protect himself, he doens't care about me and he doesn't care about you. He will say anything as long as it keeps him in power. The Green Party cares about you and will do the right thing 99 percent of the time, while people like Murtha will do it about 1 percent of the time. Anyway it doesn't matter who you vote for until we hold real elections without fradulent voting technology in this country. One has to wonder why the incumbent good old boy (or good old girl's acting like good old boy's) always seem to win.
Revolution,
Citisucks
Citisucks,
Jack Murtha was horribly lambasted after he came out against the war. The smear machine worked overdrive. He was labeled unpatriotic, etc etc etc.
It is very questionably in his self interest to be so forcefully against the war in Iraq. This leads one to the conclusion that he is saying what he is saying because he truly believes it.
But the Green Party always oppossed the war on dissent. That is what the Green Party is about insight and always doing the right thing. If he is so progressive as you say, then he should join the Green Party and get there endorsment-only than (and if he was in my voting area) would I vote for him.
Citisucks,
But if someone is a Democrat who believes what you believe, why won't you vote for such a person just because they are a Democrat???
Being a member of the Green Party is not the only way a person can be a progressive.
One can only wonder what the OCTOBER surprise will be?
I don't even think they'll wait that long, the way things are going.
There isn't a Democrap still leaving running for office who stands for what I stand for. The Green Party stands for what I stand for. All the Democraps stand for is selling out and being pathetic do nothings.
Additionally, I will not me a member of a club that doen't want me as a member/that just wants to use me to vote for their fake opposition candidates. It hasn't just been davybaby that has shown me the anti-female good old boy's side of the Democrap party. HID called me a whore, a term used to degrade females. And as qrswave said by banning me and allowing davybaby and HID to stay they have shown who they really support and what they really are. Kos has also stated that it is a Democrap website. I will not support, vote for, or be a member of a party that denies me my voice, verbally abuses me, and states that don't even want me as a member. This is where the Republicans are so correct about the Democrats when they call them Dims. They cuss you out, deny you a voice, tell you to go join red state or free repubic, and then say oh by the way your still going to vote for us right???
Let me reiterate something.
Daily Kos is not the Democratic party. It is a group of people who consider themselves Democrats.
Your experience does not reflect one iota of the Democratic party, because the party has no control over Daily Kos! Furthermore, Kos is only a marginal influence even within the party.
And as I said before - I also don't know what you said that caused you to be banned. You have said for months now how mad you are at Daily Kos. WHAT did you say??
As stated before I am the victim here so I am under no obligation to defend myself against the Demonazi's at daily kos.
The good news is I know say whatever the hell I want to say because they have no control over me. In fact you might enjoy my new blog http://progressivesagainstdemocrats.blogspot.com
Citisucks,
I did not say that you have to "defend" yourself. However, I would like to know what it is you said that got you banned.
You cannot say you are a "victim" until you cite to both the comments you said that were are issue, and the comments that Davybaby said that were supposedly anti-woman.
I want to add, for the hundredth time, that daily kos is not t he Democratic Party! They do not represent the Democratic Party. They have no constituency within the Democratic Party. They are merely a group of Democratic voters who are trying to INFLUENCE the Democratic Party and electoral politics in general, and have a marginal influence at best.
Saying Democrats are "Democraps" PURELY because of Daily Kos is nonsensical, given Daily Kos DOES NOT REPRESENT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!
And I still stand by the request for citations to the offending comments at issue.
If you look into the coming energy crash, i mean really look into this disaster you will soon see that the coming death toll is and was pre-conceived and VERY well though out. You know PLANED like on paper computer models and other such trite! Though out for the Fat Cats gargantuan profits that is. For Americas GOLD! America is not even willing to admit that there is a problem. Well folks if you live in North America YOU will HAVE to Radically curb your consumption.
The other thing that is killing your US of A is the Stunned level of Military spending. Do you Americans realize that the mover/shaker types have YOUR life on the gallows? Do you think that you will somehow skate the coming collapse of the floor beneath the rope around your neck? Well the party is OVER USA! With out the closure of the US FED and the instantaneous transformation of the Military industrial complex into Green energy solutions like solar panels and wind turbines Our nice North America will be lost. Lost to the chaos and strife of hunger and despair. Oil is food you know. And you need lots of oil just to feed everyone in the USA now. We all are culpable for the disaster that is just around the bend. Culpable
for the DEBTS our children are going to be burdened with.
Cancel the EVIL fed reserve. Close the bomb and bullet factory's and get to the job of being more respectful to the other humans on this rock.
I can see the metric of the coming harshness and trust me if you Don't act soon the real nasty bits of WW III talk you all hear about will be the LEAST of your worries. OIL is now going to totally destroy your world if you are not willing to radically alter your lifestyle. Your Mass over consumption of the energy on this planet is going to stop one way or another. I think that if you are going to continue on this planet you are going to have to be Far more responsible about what is fair. Enough of this "America is the mightiest so gimme what i want or ELSE!!" attitude and get with the program! If i have to quit the cars thing for our health then you can also.
And another thing Do you Americans have ANY idea how much CA$H you spend on locking away drug dealers and other "criminals"?
Around 100 million yearly (5.6 million heads) and it seems this is just going to rocket further upwards. And just so you know most of them are Black inmates(real fair EH!!!) Your going to have to work MUCH harder USA,UK and the Whore israel. Much Much Harder.
Post a Comment
<< Home