DFL Progressive Caucus Debate: Nelson-Pallmeyer wins over progressives; Ciresi attacks Franken
Full story at The UpTake.
If you think you already saw the story here, no, that wasn’t a sleep deprived illusion. I had cross posted the story only to discover that while it worked fine in most browsers the video embed code totally destroyed the CSS of my blog. So, until I figure that prickly question out you’ll have to go directly to The UpTake for video goodness.
October 1st, 2007 at 1:10 am
I agree with Jack on most issues, but supporting a return to the 55 MPH speed limit is going too far…”I can’t drive, 55!”
October 1st, 2007 at 9:15 am
Comments like these make me want to implement a commentator rating system!
Personally, I have no problem with such a law. Not only would it be more energy efficient but it would certainly save lives as well.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:29 am
Noah, the 55 limit was Nixon’s idea,need I say more? Actually it was going to be a 50 limit, but the Teamsters raised hell over the cut in their earnings and Nixon compromised at 55. Most of my vehicles get better than 40MPG, slowing them to 55 will only improve that by 1-2 mpg. BTW, before you write me off as a speed demon I generally cruise the Floyd B. Olson Memorial Highway (MN 55) at around 60 MPH. It’d make sense to limit SUVs and anything bigger to 65 MPH, largely because their truck tires can’t handle much faster. But 55 on wide open highways?… It didn’t work in the 70s and it won’t work now, and I wouldn’t want the democrats to be blamed for such stupid laws.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:03 am
Just to clarify, I wanted a rating system so I could positively rate your comment. =) Speed demon you are not.
You bring up several valid points. I haven’t looked into why the limit went up after the 70s but I’m sure there are several issues with actually enforcing such a law and if the trade off (i.e. increased enforcement) is desirable.
October 1st, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I suspect advocating a 55 MPH limit would be political suicide in most of Minnesota- they’re simply not going to accept that low a speed on the long trips they have to make on lightly travelled roads. On the other hand, a lot of the public statewide thinks that some drivers are going way to fast- on the interstates with 70 MPH limits the State Patrol is so sparse that with the standard 10 MPH “enforcement tolerance” 80 MPH is common. Personally I’d suggest revising the speed limits and going metric all in one law- I’d say 100 Kilometers Per Hour on rural highways and urban freeways would be about right, with 110 KPH allowed on rural freeways. I’d limit SUVs and anything bigger to 100 KPH even on rural freeways. And I’d allow zero “enforcement tolerance”.
October 1st, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Dyna, it took five tickets over 14 months, but they broke me and got me to drive 55 mph, and they’ll break you too.
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
After 42 years of driving I have yet to receive a speeding ticket.