Obama takes jobs fight to Boehner and McConnell backyards

[WI_DEM]

DOWNTOWN - With the aging Brent Spence Bridge as a backdrop, President Barack Obama issued a challenge Thursday to his top Republican opponents in Congress to pass a bill he says will create jobs by funding projects like the bridge’s $2.4 billion replacement.

On the banks of the Ohio River, in the backyards of House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Louisville, Obama – standing on a platform underneath the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, just to the east of the Brent Spence – had tough words for both men.

“There’s no reason for Republicans in Congress to stand in the way of more construction projects,” the president said. “There’s no reason to stand in the way of more jobs. Mr. Boehner, Mr. McConnell, help us rebuild this bridge. Help us rebuild America. Help us put this country back to work. Pass this jobs bill right away.”

“I think (the speech) was great: jobs, jobs, jobs,” said Mike Marchioni, a manager at Hilltop Concrete and 23-year employee. “We’re right here in the belly of the construction business. Our guys feel it every day…there’s not enough (work). We go over these bridges, we can build ‘em – it’s just a matter of getting the money for them.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110922/NEWS0108/110922027/With-Brent-Spence-backdrop-Obama-sells-jobs-plan?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

[Atman]

1. The Rachel Maddow commercial at the Hoover Dam says it all.

The Republicans seem to think that if we just privatize everything, somebody will build and maintain our bridges and dams and infrastructure. But they've yet to explain how that would work. What private company is going to put up the capital needed to build a bridge? Unless, of course, they can charge a $10 toll for every car crossing the bridge, and turn a profit in XX years. It can't happen. It will never happen. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE GOVERNMENT. We all pay into the pool, and that money is used to keep the country going. A private company is not the least bit concerned with keeping the country going, their only goal is to turn a profit as quickly as possible. How the hell does any Tea Bagging lunatic think that will happen with that bridge crossing the river in their town? A huge toll for the for-profit company, or buy BEING SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT, at a PROFIT. Which means, ironically, MORE tax dollars being spent, since the government doesn't have to turn a profit while the private is required to turn a profit, or it shuts down. It's absolute lunacy that these guys want to privatize our roads and bridges and make profits off of it, and think it will somehow save tax dollars. No private company in their right mind would build a big bridge on spec work...they'd want government guarantees first. Stadium owners learned this long ago; whatever you do, don't put up any of your own money. The taxpayers will always foot the bill, no matter what bullshit the Tea Baggers call it.

[cojoel]

2. profitizing government services never saves money

It only makes sense for government to buy services when there are businesses that provide them already at a cost lower than the government could provide them itself. It does not make sense to put things for which there is no business existing already; it only makes a few people rich at the expense of others (and often at the expense of poorer services). This profitizing of these services is nothing more than a wealth transfer, to the corporate class.