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Posted by tgl on 2006-08-18 13:02:55 +0000

You're just pissed that someone else has been able to steal from the MTA and you haven't. ;)

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-18 13:36:12 +0000

umm Im pissed because that kind of corruption is unacceptable

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-08-18 14:20:38 +0000

So you're pro-Republican, but anti-corruption?

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-18 14:30:47 +0000

Im anti corruption. If I prefer Romney and his ilk over Amorello and his, does that make me an inherent republican? I listen to Dr. Dre, but I don't kill cops or drink gin and juice. Left/Right political leanings aren't my intent of this thread - I'm purely upset about money mismanagement. Amorello once suggested (this is like less than 6 months ago, too definitely after it was discovered there were leaks in the tunnels) that an effective way to raise more $$$ for the Big Dig would be to add toll collection to a good deal of 93. What I have a really negative reaction to is turning the "volume up" on the turnpike's current methods of generating revenue - there is never an investigation on whether or not the current methods of toll collections work effectively - never any new ideas being brought to the table, it's just oh - we're not charging them tolls in enough places - more tolls will = more $ for our project. I dont expect a paradigm shift for every single new project these guys undertake, but how about if no paradigm shifts a thorough investigation once every 10 years or so to see if what they are doing works and how it could be done better. What was the % of tolls 10 diamonds quoted a while ago that go right back into having someone stand idly making change for 8+ hours a day?

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-08-18 14:38:05 +0000

You down with the Bush administration?

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-08-19 10:34:39 +0000

www.endtolls.com

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-18 14:48:43 +0000

Im not going near that one, mister.... :) Can you tell me what the POTUSA has to do with Matthew Amorello and the Big Dig? If so, I can try and come up with a comment about the POTUSA, otherwise, nolo contendre

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-08-18 15:05:18 +0000

If you think the Dig is corrupt, how about profiting from the war?

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-18 15:23:40 +0000

How did Matthew Amorello profit from the War? I keep talking apples, but all I get in response are oranges

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-08-18 19:58:11 +0000

If you're anti-corruption, then you gotta look at all the fruit, dig?

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-19 01:14:09 +0000

That's a fair statement.

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-19 03:05:29 +0000

I was going to post about how being paid for unused sick days or vacation days is pretty standard in the private sector, and that this didn't seem to rise to the standard of "corruption". But then, it is fishy that the policy was changed via an internal memo. I won't pass judgement until after the Turnpike Authority reviews the policy. I wouldn't want to comment on an ongoing investigation... The biggest corruption surrounding the Big Dig is the initial approval itself. Without Cantabridgian Tip O'Neill wrangling contract promises for Californian Bechtel whose lobbyists (guess who's son is now a lobbyist for Bechtel?) were cozy with then-President Reagan.... Dukakis et al. would not have their tunnel. While we're on the topic of the waste of tax payer money via corruption: Big Dig $14,600,000,000; 1 death Iraq War $308,000,000,000; 44,000 deaths I'm pissed too.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-08-19 10:37:01 +0000

The unused sick days is the bullshit part. Unused vacation time needs to be payed out, I believe, by federal law. Sick time isn't an asset to employees, it's something nice companies do when their peeps get sick.

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-19 11:47:44 +0000

OK, that's what I'm thinking about. Payouts for unused vacation days. Here's the bullshit part: my company has general purpose Earned Time Off.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-08-20 09:12:46 +0000

Lawmakers are really dumb people. They may, in a utopian world, be good at politics in the best sense of the word - helping people come to agreements that are best for society, but they are not smart. They will always write stupid laws with giant loopholes. Like the one that says that if you give your employees time off and call it "Vacation", then it has to be payed out if unused. They could call it "Super Happy Party Time", it should still be payed out. OK, I'll admit, I've been having trouble with this all my life, so I googled it and found "scare quotes".

Posted by tommy on 2006-08-20 14:25:57 +0000

Bullshit! Sick time is a benefit, to be used just like vacation days, personal days, training, health insurance, salary, bonuses, etc.

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-08-21 03:35:53 +0000

I would love the ability to call in sick and not lose money.

Posted by tommy on 2006-08-21 11:36:00 +0000

Right. 10D and I get to work for a company that's good with its benefits, and so we have that ability. It's a nice benefit. My parents work for the post office, and their policies allowed you to "stockpile" sick time. My dad had like 3 months worth before he retired, which he used to retire 3 months early. My last company gave you up to 6 sick days per year, period. Didn't matter if you were in a coma, or you had a cold, or if you were just an SMF. Every year, of course I was "sick" 6 times. In any situation, my point is just that whatever level of sick time benefit you have, of course you should use it, whether you're sick or not. Same as you should cash 100% of your check each week, and not give back to the company any money you don't need this week.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-21 16:49:35 +0000

It does seem like the 15 cent increase in gas tax CAT suggests here, makes a lot of sense. End the tolls, and make gas 15 cents more. Safer, more efficient, more direct-usage payment... Done.

Posted by jbcardinale on 2006-08-21 17:03:31 +0000

I had the privilege of driving through The Ted this weekend (I pay only 40 cents as an Eastie resident). They are still charging $3 to drive through the tunnel when you are immediately detoured on the other side to whereever you're trying to get to. That's outrageous!!

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-21 17:12:51 +0000

Do I mind paying gas tax if I never use toll roads? Or do I benefit from toll roads without actually driving on them? (My F_______ I________ accounts have useful and cheery technical support because of the Mass. Pike, to think of an example off the top of my head....)

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-08-21 17:30:31 +0000

Do you mind paying tolls when the tolls are going to pay for other roads that people use for free?

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-08-21 17:31:40 +0000

Gas taxes to pay for roads have no drawbacks. You use it, you buy it. You are stupid and buy an SUV, you buy more of it.

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-21 17:41:45 +0000

OK, gotcha. We use tolls to pay for all other roads already, so we should ensure everyone pays equally, on the gas we consume. What if I use most of my gasoline idling in the driveway?

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-21 17:43:23 +0000

Then you have a 70's Datsun or AMC...

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-08-21 18:30:33 +0000

If you had an AMC you'd be using it, without the engine running, to block a road about a mile before the toll booth, so that you will get towed through the toll house and not have to pay!

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-21 18:31:55 +0000

One of the rare instances where raising taxes makes sense...

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-21 18:39:12 +0000

How many AMC Hornets can you fit in the ashtray of a Ford Bronco II?

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-08-21 18:46:06 +0000

How many people can you convince that a Hornet is a Rabbit?

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-21 18:52:15 +0000

At least 7.