GOOD NEWS
(the following is from the blog of our Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood)
Probably the best appointment our President has made yet.
http://fastlane.dot.gov/
===============================================================
Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.
We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
Go beyond minimum design standards.
Collect data on walking and biking trips.
Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.
Now, this is a start, but it's an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.
The DOT, HUD & the EPA are partnering to work together to bring us--
Livable and Sustainable Communities
Visit the DOT website to see more about their cooperation.
http://fastlane.dot.gov/
Read my own Communities Without Cars under Environmental essays.
WmGreybeard
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Can Supreme Court make law?
Is the Supreme Court authorized
to legislate new law?
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
{ It seems to me that Article I section 1. gives all legislative powers to the Congress of the United States.}
The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State,--between Citizens of different States,--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article. IV. (this is only to indicate that all of Article III is printed above)
I have carefully read all of Article III of our Constitution and found nowhere that the Supreme Court is authorized to make any law!
What do you think?
Share your thoughts please!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
MONEY
{ the love of MONEY} The root of all evil
Money does not guarantee us the right of free speech. Our constitution does.
Money buys an audience, not guaranteed by our constitution.
Our wonderful Supreme Court
5/4 decisions are not the most comforting precedents to build on. If Sandra Day O'Connor had not retired, very likely many of the recent 5/4 decisions would have been reversed.
My own humble opinion is that every 5/4 decision should brought up for review within 2 years and should never be used for precedents to build on. I am certainly not a constitutional lawyer. But I do understand logic, and iffy built on iffy gets more iffy as you go.
WmGreybeard
Monday, March 8, 2010
FAILURE--- TWO PARTY SYSTEM
Our constitution calls for no political parties. So why do we have such a system for running our country? Can anyone tell me??
The campaign financing system is so corrupted by money from huge corporations, financial institutions, and insurance companies, that the real citizens for whom this government is supposed to be concerned about our general welfare, are last in line.
These huge contributors support both major parties, and make every effort to keep them in rough balance so that any legislation they do not want will be extremely difficult to pass. It is also very helpful to their goals to encourage extreme polarization. With these two goals met, they only have to twist an occasional arm to get their way.
Polarization;-- has never been so viscous as it is today. Perfectly good words, such as conservative, liberal, republican, democrat & socialist are used like four letter curse words along with real curse words and other insults to describe members of the opposing party.
I proudly describe myself with all of these words. I am a democratic republican; democratic because I believe in one person one vote; republican because this is our form of government. I am a conservative liberal socialist; I believe in conserving what is good, I accept differing beliefs in others, and in generosity, and certain functions of community, fire department, police and health care, are best served in a socialistic manner.
Our economy is capitalistic.!
OK: Capitalism is good, when properly regulated. When it is not, GREED soon rears its ugly head, lies follow, then disaster!
Regulation should be as simple as possible. When regulations are overly complex, there is only more room for loopholes.
Speaking of simplicity, it seems that every bill that goes through congress ends up many pages too long for those who need to vote, to read.
We the people, {grassroots} must demand real reform,
not trimming around the edges.
No campaign contributions from any entity other than individuals eligible to vote in the state or district for the position.
No bundling.
Reasonable contribution limits, so that ordinary citizens can make a difference.
Spending limits; including the candidates own money.
VOTING
IRV, Instant runoff voting, or ranked voting, could have prevented the election of the Bush/ Cheney team, if only we had installed it before the 2000 election.
1. IRV must be adopted so that third parties and independents have a chance to be elected, without fear of electing the worst of two evils.
2. There must be a paper trail on every voting machine. It does not take a rocket scientist to design a system to record a paper trail.!!
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