Bridges Falling Down Bureaucrats To Blame

Well, well, well....according to a GAO report we now know what is responsible for the deterioration of our country's infrastructure - and it is not as the Dems said it was....

A government report is recommending closer federal oversight of one of the primary funds for fixing structurally deficient bridges across the country.

The Government Accountability Office report, to be discussed at Capitol Hill hearings today, calls for clearer goals and performance measures for the Highway Bridge Program, the $4.4 billion fund through which states help maintain their bridges....

House Transportation Chairman Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., has been particularly outspoken about Minnesota, which has redirected nearly half of its available Highway Bridge Program money in the past five years for other purposes.

You mean to tell me that it was diversion of monies for bridge repair to things like bike paths and not tax cuts for "the rich" that did this? You don't say???

Another Minnesota legislator deserves credit for asking for this report that uncovered more government waste and mismanagement.

The fund has been the source of controversy as many states — with Minnesota leading the way — have diverted available money for other transportation projects. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., and others requested the report in the wake of last year's collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.

Coleman said the report shows the fund lacks the accountability to ensure it's working to improve the nation's bridges.

"With the absence of accountability, there is neither a carrot nor a stick for states to improve the condition of their bridges," Coleman said.

Roads and bridges are a responsibility of the state AND federal governments. The Federal Government's responsibility is in maintaining the Interstate Highway program. If the Feds can not even manage a vitally important existing program like the Interstate Highway System, I have to ask again - what makes people think that they can adequately manage our health care system?

The Feds need to concentrate on responsibly managing money they already get from taxpayers before they think about taking more from our already stretched pocketbooks.