Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Why would Bush veto this?

One of the Salt Lake TV stations, KSL, last night had a segment burnishing Congressman Matheson's accomplishment of funding paving a road to the "most remote location in the lower 48 states." It's a tiny settlement called Navajo Mountain and the only way to get to it is to drive on a road that goes into Arizona and then back into Utah. Here's an aerial photo of the "town." The report states that people have to drive 40 miles to buy gas and a four-hour round trip to buy groceries. It also has this:
Jim Matheson did a rare thing for a Utah congressman. He went after funds for paving in Arizona.

Rep. Jim Matheson, (D-2nd): "This road does not give them good access in and out for any of their services. And let's remember, Navajo Mountain is the most remote location in the lower 48 states."
. . .

But some tribal elders prefer it that way.

Lee Greymountain, Navajo Mountain: "They're used to it. They got used to it, being isolated for so long."

Don't worry, Matheson says. The town will still be isolated, even if the road is paved.
The Congressman's office couldn't have written it better.

The funds Matheson "went after" amount to $1.3 million, and that still won't finish the project. (last paragraph.) I know Navajos tend to vote Democrat, but how many votes can this place have?

What on earth are we doing funding stuff like this when we're running a huge deficit? I have to wonder how many other projects like this are in the bill.

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