ODOT Driving business out of NW Ohio

ODOT has increased the special permit fee for heavy loads over 3000% from $55 a quarter to $500 a quarter. Now trucks which have been using the Port of Toledo for shipping will instead choose Michigan ports to avoid the fee.

I e-mailed each state and federal representative and senator yesterday, as well as the governor. I got canned, auto-reply messages from many, but a personal email from Mark Wagoner. Mark also attached his letter to ODOT, sent the same day. I am working on posting the letter, but my blog inexperience is holding me up.

This move by ODOT will kill the Port of Toledo's recent success and the intermodal project. Get on the horn to everyone and anyone who will listen. If they won't listen, make them.

TAHL

Honored Thanks

Happy Veteran's day. Please call, e-mail, write or personally thank a veteran or their families for their service today.

For some it is hard not to be cynical in these post-election days. But, believe in our Constitution, respect the office of the President, and continue to support and defend our Country.

Likewise, a belated happy birthday Marines.

TAHL

Educated but Misguided - a Harvard Socialist

While both Presidential candidates spout rhetoric about how they will change policies, taxes, and all manner of government work, the most direct way they can impact our daily lives and liberties is through the Supreme Court.

Obama has stated - he believes the founding fathers got it wrong. He believes that the Constitution should be an enabling document, not a restricting document. While our tradition and history, gained through the tyranny of Britain, the blood of our forefathers, and the brilliance of the Founding Fathers - all point to the Constitution as a document to RESTRICT the power of government; Obama wants the Constitution and our legal system to make it an EMPOWERING document.

Currently all rights not specifically surrendered to the government remain with the citizens. Thus the Constitution LIMITS government power. Obama wants the Constitution to GIVE power to Government, and, only give the people those rights specifically granted. This flips the intention of a Democratic Republic on its head.

Obama will have the government exercise all powers not clearly given to the populous. While it should be the other way - the populous shall retain all rights not specifically granted to the government for very specific narrow purposes.

Obama is clear he thinks the Supreme Court has been wrong in not enforcing his wealth sharing, socialist version of what is right. He is clear that he thinks the Government is the proper entity to determine what the words of the Constitution mean, and what rights we retain.

He wants a Constitution that is "living." Which means subject to the whims and changes of culture with the ease of the stroke of a pen. The Constitution is changeable - but that change must be slow, deliberate, and difficult. It is the basis for a government system that was forged in revolution, drafted with a global look at human history over the ages, and the brilliance of the Founding Fathers who saw past the immediate needs and into the future of freedom.

Obama is clear - he will change the tenor and core of the Supreme Court with lifetime appointments - possible 2-3 Justices - naming judges who follow his belief that the Constitution is WRONG, and must be changed.

Please - regardless of the rhetoric - realize this is the single most powerful way the President can permanently effect our history and day to day lives and liberty - more so than the power as Commander in Chief, and vote accordingly.

TAHL