FW: [SETC Planning] FW: RTP Newsclip: Opposition to Recreational Trails
Candace Bourne
Candace Bourne
PO Box 595
Vienna, IL 62995
334-703-4839
cbou...@msn.com
There's gonna be 2 dates on your tombstone.
All you friends'll read 'em.
But all that's gonna matter
Is that little dash between 'em.
Kevin Welch
To: dma...@windstream.net
From: dma...@windstream.net
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:33:37 -0400
Subject: [SETC Planning] FW: RTP Newsclip: Opposition to Recreational Trails
From: Christopher.Douwes@dot.gov [mailto:Christopher.Douwes@dot.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:28 AM
To: dmayres@windstream.net; c.j.farmer@windstream.net
Subject: FW: RTP Newsclip: Opposition to Recreational Trails
You might want to share this among SETC people.
Christopher B Douwes
Trails and Enhancements Program Manager
Federal Highway Administration
From: Weingroff, Richard (FHWA)
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:00 AM
To: Douwes, Christopher (FHWA)
Subject: RTP Newsclip
Robin Smith: We Must Cut Spending - And Response (2) (CHATNOOG)
By Robin Smith
The Chattanoogan, July 27, 2010
As part of my campaign for Congress, you've seen me on TV talking about taking away President Obama's checkbook. In a 30 second spot you can't get into much detail, but on the issue of government spending the solutions are simple and clear. Our government has lost its way and jumped the tracks on fiscal sanity. Today in Washington there seems to be a rush to spend as much money as possible, without regard for the long term destruction it will have on our economy and the burden it will place on our children.
We won't get it fixed overnight, but we have to start with getting spending under control. All politicians talk about cutting spending. It's a line we hear every campaign. But it never really seems to happen. Pork projects add up, members depend on the money they pump into their districts for popularity, and the problem just gets worse.
So what do we do? In my view, the first step is eliminating earmarks. During this race, you've heard other candidates defend earmarks as the only way to get money for important projects. I disagree. You've also heard candidates say they "stand against" earmarks one day and tell you they want to keep the pork coming "under the current system" the next. I have been consistent. Ban earmarks. Do not reform them. Do not limit them. If our representatives are going to show the nation they are serious about spending, then earmarks must end.
We must also be able to point to specific cuts in the budget to show our determination to deal with our debt and deficits. From examples as large as eliminating over payments for Medicare that will save billions, to eliminating the Federal Highway Administration's National (FHWA) Recreational Trails Fund that would save $250 million over five years. We must be willing to say we can't afford some of these projects in the current environment. There should be no project too large or too small to escape review to determine if it is needed and working. Our government does not need 49 separate job training programs. We can't afford $820 million in one year for federal transportation funding of landscaping, museums, and other transportation "enhancements."
My goal as your representative is simple. I will work with fiscally responsible members of congress to return sanity both to the way we spend your money and how much of it is spent. I don't pretend we will get this mess cleaned up quickly, but we will get it done. My faith in our country and our people tells me they want accountable government. With your help and vote, we can give it to them.
