Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Tolls, Taxis and Toys

This first story is so damn obvious as a diversion.

The state just announced it is going to be
raising tolls to pay for the Big Dig, and then this story comes out to days later?

Yeah, the toll-takers are ripping you off -- that should account for the corporate looting of the taxpayers!

How fucking stoo-pid do you think we are? But it's o.k. to give lottery workers
sports tickets, 'eh?

Oh, it is the FRONT-PAGE LEAD, too!!!

Did I mention that?


"10 face charges of theft at tolls; Turnpike workers probed in scheme; $5,000-$10,000 stolen, DA says" by Noah Bierman, Globe Staff | June 25, 2008

Yeah, CORPORATIONS STEAL MILLIONS, but we gotta get these guys for pocketing a few quarters!

Look, they SHOULDN'T DO IT, but WTF, Globe?


Rogue toll-takers deployed a low-technology scheme to steal thousands of dollars from the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, skimming quarters and dollars from the taxicabs and other vehicles that passed by their booths near Logan International Airport, prosecutors said yesterday.

On the most profitable shifts, a toll-taker could take home an extra $150, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said. On less lucrative days, the loose change and dollar bills added up to only $20.

Over a three-month period, the 10 toll-takers were observed on camera stealing a total of $5,000 to $10,000, Conley's office said. They were charged yesterday with larceny and fraudulent record keeping, which is a felony. Authorities said they do not know how long the employees were skimming money and how much ultimately was stolen from the financially struggling Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

That's it?! Just 10 GUYS?!?

Then WHY is this the FRONT-PAGE LEAD?!

I guess it is THESE GUYS who BROKE the MTA, huh?

Oh, this is AGENDA-PUSHING to an EXTREME!!!!

Fuck you, Globe!!!!!!

Though the known dollar figures were relatively low, the risk in public confidence was high, authorities said.

Well, you guys have ALREADY LOST that will all your LOOTING!

I never saw it before, and I have lived here a long time, but MASSACHUSETTS is EVERYTHING the rest of the country said it is!!!!!!!

So if the tolls are going up, I'll bet the TAXI FARES are, too!

"Hearing explores taxi fare increase; Drivers cite fuel, toll costs in fight to raise rates" by Jonnelle Marte, Globe Correspondent | June 25, 2008

BINGO!!!!

The hearing at Roxbury Community College drew about 200 people and focused on a request by drivers to increase per-mile fares by 50 percent and hike the starting fare by 50 cents. The hearing also explored increasing the number of hybrid cars cabdrivers use and installing equipment that would allow passengers to pay with credit cards.

I'm getting so sick of the enviro-crowd; I think I'm beginning to get more irritated at them than the neo-cons or the Zionists!

The proposed increase would make a cab ride in Boston one of the most expensive in the nation, but drivers and advocates say the increase is warranted.

Newly organized by the United Steelworkers union, the drivers have asked Boston for the first increase in their per-mile fare since 2002, when gas cost $1.49 per gallon. Gas hit an average of $4.08 in the Northeast this week, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Oh, so they will DOUBLE-DIP you!

The cab ride will go up, and the toll guy will steal the fare!

"They're working 12, 14, 16 hours a day, six days a week, just to make ends meet," said Donna Blythe-Shaw, a representative for the United Steelworkers union, who outlined the proposal to police. "It's virtually impossible for them to make living arrangements and support their families."

The NEW AMERIKA!!!!!!

Actually, these guys DESERVE a RAISE!

So why don't they just raise their rates? WTF?!

The proposed increase would make the per-mile cost for a cab ride in Boston higher than in New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Chicago.

The rate increase must be approved by the Police Department, which regulates taxi fares.

WTF?! WHY?

What about the FREE MARKET?

What is with the REGULATIONS?!

Keeping cabbies poor are the cops?

The rich are serviced with cock-sucks no matter where they are, aren't they?

George Bachrach, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, said his group agreed with the taxi drivers, but also wanted them to use more energy-efficient vehicles.

Sigh.

"We are here in support of the notion that with this fare increase there needs to be a transition to greener, more energy efficient vehicles," said Bachrach, adding that drivers of hybrid cars would save substantially in gas. "We are moving at a pitifully slow pace."

Yeah, and THAT ought to be telling you something!!!!

Also see: Laura Bush Farts While in Boston

Cabdrivers agreed that using hybrid cars would save them gas money, but said they could not afford the switch to the smaller, more expensive cars.

--MORE--"

Yup, we got TRILLIONS for WARS and BILLIONS for BANKS and ISRAEL, but NOTHING for the environment!

I guess it is REALLY not that serious a problem -- unless you are a hypocritical, AGENDA-PUSHING GOVERNMENT or MSM tthat wants to DROP YOUR STANDARDS of LIVING, folks!

Well, her is my contribution: Pfffffffffffttttt!!!!!

And talk about BURDENSOME REGULATIONS!


"Conflicting rules hard on toymakers" by The Washington Post | June 25, 2008

When Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed a law banning lead and chemicals known as phthalates from children's products in April, Amy Tucker was thrilled. As president of Matter Group, a Seattle company that makes children's games and stuffed animals out of recycled materials, Tucker already produced products that were lead- and phthalate-free. But when other states began adopting their own restrictions, she became dismayed by the emerging patchwork of regulations.

"It puts manufacturers in the position of having 50 different sets of regulations to abide by," she said, "and that can become very onerous for a company."

Then how come they don't give a shit when it comes to the INDIVIDUAL?!

All fine to crawl up our asses to spy or meter my carbon footprint, but business?

One of the thorniest issues is expected to be to what extent federal safety standards would pre-empt state ones.

Sig Heil!

Currently, in cases where the state and federal standards conflict, the federal standard prevails.

Sig Heil! Sig Heil! Sig Heil!

For example, on lead limits, some states have adopted a 40 parts per million standard, which is the one recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But they will most certainly be trumped by whatever federal standard Congress settles on. Both the House and Senate aimed for the same 100 parts per million standard for lead in children's products.

Oh, so the Congress' standards are going to be LOWER than the states -- and TRUMP them, too, huh?

Sig Heil!

They don't give a shit about us, something they prove every day.

Time to go into the lake!

In cases where standards don't conflict, the state standard would stick until the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Congress adopts one.

It is too early to say what effect the state regulations might have on consumers.

--MORE--"

No it's not!

Prices will be GOING UP!

That's what COMPANIES DO -- pass the cost on to the CONSUMER!

Apparently, ALL COSTS for the average, set-upon, disemboweled American are set for the same.

Yup, we got TRILLIONS for WARS and BILLIONS for BANKS and ISRAEL, but NOTHING for the safety of products coming into this country!

I've about had it, America.

How about you?