Why are republican reps in Alaska given $450 hundred million to build two bridges to nowhere?

Question

Shouldn't their state residents pay for this misadventure?

- hi artic -

son of george (below) I must take this rare moment and give you a thumbs up. We actually agreed yet again... Look out world.

Answer 1

The reason is because the Sen of Alaska was part of a corrupt Republican majority that wanted to spend $ on anything to get power and re-election. Republicans raised discretionary spending by 40% over the last 12 years and we all will pay for generations. The impact will be a severe recession when tax receipts slow and we all have less freedom due to their massive govt. For example, teachers spend much more time on paperwork to satisfy the Dept of Ed machine that now employs 100,000 people to regulate education, thanks to the Republicans. They are anti-freedom, anti business and the poor suffer most of all because there will be less jobs long term. They could care less as long as they can keep power by giving out freebies like this bridge and the voters are happy so everyone wins.

Answer 2

YOU ARE ALL POLITICALLY BIASED AND WRONG.

I lived in Alaska for 18 years (now in lower 48), and this is the reason. For every 1 dollar your state pays to the Federal Government, you basically get 50 cents back in some type of Federal program. That's what your elected officials do in Washington, they vote to bring their 50 cents back one way or another.

Alaska, due to its hugh oil reserves and small population, pays an ungodly amount more taxes to the Federal government than any other state. Without Alaska's federal tax payments, the lower 48 citizens tax burden could almost double.

ANWR (anwar) - The Alaska National Wildlife Reserves oil is all about oil and money as well. Alaska, when accepted as the 49th state of the U.S., drafted its constitution with the Federal Government which stated that 90% of all natural reserves belong to the state. This is why ANWR is never opened for drilling. Many times the Feds have said they would agree to drill there if Alaska agreed to go 50/50 on the oil profits, which of course it won't. It belongs to them.

Alaska is 2/3s the size of US., has more coastline than the US, more oil/gas natural reserves, better fishing grounds than the US,.... I could go on and on. We should all be happy they pay so much taxes and let them build their highways. Without the Alaskan economy we would all be hurting pretty badly.

Don't believe me? I recommend everyone spend at least 2 years there. It is the most gorgeous place on the face of the earth (summer anyways). Pristine and full of adventure.

Answer 3

The sate of Alaska was not given the millions to build bridges to nowhere. It was turned down. However, the money was allocated to the state for OTHER matters and they said they will use it to build the bridges. America, you are the dumbest country in the world.

Answer 4

Why are democrats given money to do moronic surveys? Members of both parties get & spend millions even billions of dollars on redictulious projects. Part of it is to boost employment in areas & alaska isnt a place many go for jobs since there isnt a whole lot up there. It's not just one party so be fair & pick on both....Also democrats limit & tax successful business which limits what they pay employees or their abilities to expand thus limit their hiring of new employees. Taxes also hurt the employees especially when they are fighting for jobs & lower pay since companies are taxed higher. Democrats what to give out free money in social reforms yet it doesnt benefit or repay to do so. They limit the money the military gets especially for raises yet every year give themselves raises going back long before Bush or republicans. Democrats want free money to save the world yet open ourselves up to other problems that could be more serious while republicans want to save the world & protect the country just not be the only one's paying for it.... Either party is wonderful & all knowing & both have their flaws. Funny how neither party gives a darn about education LOL. Clinton increase that budget by the smallest amount in years during his reign of terror & shockingly Bush increased it by more then Clinton did still not enough though. Again both parties are flawed as is the system.

Answer 5

Because the bridges do not go to nowhere. All roads lead somewhere.
One bridge leads to a formally very isolated place in Alaska that would be a wonderful vacation spot.

Answer 6

The same reason that every other state gets rediculous amounts of our money. It's pork barrel spending, and last minute additions to budget bills. For instance the bill that just passed for Iraq funding was loaded with additions at the last minute for things like spinach relief.

Answer 7

Because it's your money and they want to spend it. Pork barrel politics is not only a GOP plague, it is a government plague with the Democratic folks often with their noses in the trough, too. It's shameful.

Answer 8

The simple answer is because Congress voted on it.

But, the real answer is because the senior representative from Alaska has a lot of political clout, since he's been in Congress so long, and was able to do a long of quid-pro-quo trading to get other Congressfolk to vote in favor of that funding.

It's pure policitcal maneuvering -- you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

Answer 9

That is what happens when there are no checks and balances. The Republicans have been running wild with the tax payers money for a long time, but hopefully, no more.

Answer 10

Because they managed to bring in the biggest pork Sandwich