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

We The Sheeple!

Who is helping to formulate the public's perceptions about the election? Sadly, in most instances in America, its the media. And, is the "mainstream media" balanced, objective, or equal in the presentation of the issues and candidates. OF COURSE NOT.

From the Washington Post today.

Study: Coverage of McCain Much More Negative Than That of Obama

By Howard Kurtz

Media coverage of John McCain has been heavily unfavorable since the political conventions, more than three times as negative as the portrayal of Barack Obama, a new study says. Fifty-seven percent of the print and broadcast stories about the Republican nominee were decidedly negative, the Project for Excellence in Journalism says in a report out today, while 14 percent were positive.

Will the TRUTH set us free? Probably not on November 4th, 2008. I admit, it is each citizens duty to inform themselves of the issues, facts, and records of the candidates. But given that the "mainstream" media is pumped into our homes via airwaves regulated by the Federal Govt. And given that the large media companies, CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN claim to be objective news providers, shouldn't they be held accountable for their bias? OR at least shouldn't the American sheeple know how they are being led? Don't get me started on NPR, a station funded with tax dollars.

I am not yet convinced Obama will win the election, but I am convinced a majority of voters are being mislead and lied to by the media.

TAHL

New Electric Cars in the Blade

Today's Blade has an article about the up and coming electric cars from Chrysler.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080924/BUSINESS02/809240299


I am for all types of efficient affordable transportation that lessens our dependence on foreign oil. I do not believe fossil fuels are EVIL, but recognize they are a finite resource.

BUT, when people talk about electric cars, or hybrids, how come they don't ask this question.

Where do we get the electricity to run them?

Why don't people ask this question? Because most on the left/environmental side don't want to admit the answer. The most efficient, safe, clean source of electricity is nuclear power, a four letter word in their world. What is the second most available source -- coal fired power plants. An evil carbon resource.

Now I am sure liberal anti-energy development proponents would counter with, What about hydro-electric? But that is oppression of the fishes. OR - Don't discount solar and wind power! I won't discount them, but I won't rationally consider them until the technology discounts their cost.

TAHL

Opportunity Lost

Earlier this week I attended the Ohio Trucking Association state convention here in Toledo. This convention brings together some of the most powerful business interests in the state and nation. Officers from global companies such as Cummins and Chevron were present. Representatives from the larges trucking companies in Ohio and the nation were in attendance, along with small operations and single owner-operators. There were also a few lawyers and other service industry representatives such as insurance agents.

Mayor Finkbeiner was scheduled to open the convention. A chance to address the collective group of powerful businessmen and women who are key to any growth of Toledo's, Lucas County's and Ohio's business community. But, at the start of the convention, it was expressed to the audience that organizers were uncertain if the Mayor was coming, so they started without him.

He showed up late, about 30 minutes late. Carty breezed into the room, read and presented a plaque showing a "proclamation" of how important the OTA was with a bunch of "whereas" language, gave lip service to the InterModal Project, and left.

Instead of addressing the group with sincere comments, encouragement, and plans for making Toledo and NW Ohio more business friendly and profitable for all, he insulted a group of powerful business people, and strolled off, not to be seen again at the two day event.

Now I don't know what was on his calender for the day. I don't know what pressing business kept him from getting out of bed on time, and meeting his commitment to this group at 8 a.m., or what occupied his time for the next two full days of convention; but I do know he did the City and its citizens a disservice with his actions and attitude.

TAHL

Extreme Makeover Cynisism

I truly enjoy the show - I have changed my purchasing habits to use companies such as Sears who support the show. But I find myself becoming more cynical, and I predicted this to a co-worker.

"The University of Toledo is offering full scholarships for all 11 boys — with a potential value of more than $250,000 — and Lourdes College will give scholarships of $2,000 per year, per child, renewable for four years."

UT - A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY - funded by TAXES - giving away 11 scholarships based solely on the fact that these children made it on TV!!! This I have a problem with. Lourdes College- GREAT - private university. Private citizens or private companies raising or donating a fund for college - EVEN BETTER. But, for UT to give these scholarships to these 11 kids is improper.

Come all ye haters and attackers - I know your out there. It is situations like this which pit my human sympathy and empathy against my political ideology and economic philosophy which make for the best debate.

TAHL