Friday, February 24, 2012

The wolf in sheep’s clothing


The topic of the article, 'House Transportation Bill Technical Correction Would Strip Workers Of Pay Protections,' by Dave Jamieson, concerns the 'Transportation Bill' presented by John Mica, who is the Chairman of the House of Transportation, and what this bill represents to the working class. The target audience of Jamieson is the hard working man, who may think this bill offers him new job opportunities, when as the author proves, the bill is double-sided.
Dave Jamieson shows the credibility of his point as he addresses how the bill intends to increase the budget dedicated to the construction of highways and toll roads. Dave Jamieson remarks that the Republican Party is trying to 'sell' the bill, basing on the job opportunities that would be created when the bill gets passed. He also explains how the preferred method is to open the USA coasts to oil drilling, which it is not a surprise because traditionally road expenses have been partially subsidized by gas tax revenues. The second preferred method this bill proposes would be a cut in the budget dedicated to public transportation. This bill looks like a solid plan to restore the economy however, Dave Jamieson's article highlights some of the consequences that the bill could bring to the working public. For example, Railroad employees could lose their right to a minimum wage and will not be paid overtime, which in my opinion shows the hidden face of this bill.
Dave Jamieson argues that cutting the budget of public transportation would affect those who do not have their own means of transportation, and threaten the ability of the service to pay for maintenance and keep the service running properly. He also says that the industry could suffer, since railroad workers already work at minimum wages and the work is fiscally demanding an extenuating. 
The author focuses the article from a skeptical point of view; he does not seem to believe that this bill was written only to help the economy of the country. I agree with this point of view. I did some research, and the truth is that not many public figures including Ray LaHood, support the new Transportation Bill, which he called: "…the worst transportation bill I've ever seen during 35 years of public service." For now, the current bill of transportation will prevail, and Congress expects that in one or two years the new bill will go in effect. I really hope that this does not become one more bill that represents the interests of men in suits who seem to had never had a day of hard labor in their live and can not appreciate the efforts of the working class. So far, this bill looks to me like a masquerade that protects the interest of the wealthy under the appearance of rebuilding America’s infrastructure.


            

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