As far as govt agencies buying goods overseas that could be bought domestically I think it is despicable. Shame on Boston.

“Boise’s Team Dave, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, and Rep. Mike Simpson are seeking to derail a waiver of Federal Law on some Boston area public transit locomotives.”

Anytime there’s a request for or a granting of a “waiver,” it leaves me wondering: Why do we have the law if officials can make exceptions to it?

Of course, it happens all the time locally — waivers to allow more homes per acre than the comprehensive plan or whatever allows; somebody with enough money can extend a building over The Grove, or build right up to the sidewalks despite the setback law, etc.
And, each of those cases has made me wonder: Why do we have the law? And could I get a waiver on the law against robbing banks?

What ever happened to the idea that laws are to be enforced equally on everybody? And a law that can’t be so handled needs to be removed and let the lawmakers try again.

While I can understand the concept of the waiver in this particular case, the condition under which it can be granted is so vague that any decision on it is totally subjective.

That’s not the way it should be!

I think the Buy America requirement is a solid re-investment plan of tax money gleaned from American taxpayers. Why would we take ‘our’ money and ship it (and the jobs it creates) overseas (to Europe or Asia)?

Another bid requirement, when using federal (that is, American taxpayer) money is an assurance that bidders use the most current Davis-Bacon wage rates when paying their employees. This eliminates bidders who are under-paying their employees to create the illusion that they’re a lean and efficient operation.

When all we look at, when we spend our money, is how cheaply we can satisfy our needs — then the corner of the world we live becomes impoverished.

If, according to Oliver Wendell Holmes, “Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society” — how we spend those taxes becomes a measure of our respect for that society.

Generally you can get two out of the three but rarely three for three. Think about these three things in your personal lives and when was the last time you scored 3 for three.

Even if I knew I had a competitive product, or a better product, I would be remis as a CEO not to stack the odds in my favor and use ALL the tools at my disposal.

Its unfortunately the world we work in. Not the one I like, but its a simple fact that there are very few good guys left. They keep getting shot dead by men in black (or red 🙂 ) hats. The good guys simply need to learn to duck more and get a bigger gun.

Perhaps that is what MotivePower is doing…getting (and using) the biggest guns at their disposal?

Why do the braindead masses whine when government wants to buy foriegn, but treat Walmart like a sacred shrine they must frequent weekly?

http://wingsaseagles.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/keep-jobs-in-america-and-in-boise/

The letter details a few very important things that MBTA asked for, such as a service proven locomotive, that the Spanish company CANNOT provide at this point because they have nothing more than drawings on paper.

Also, if you’re from Boise or Idaho or both, and you don’t mind our jobs being shipped overseas because foreign labor is cheaper than having your own countrymen do the work, perhaps you should consider a change of residence…maybe Spain since we’re on that line of commentary.

Another point, though 200 jobs might not seem like “a lot”, it’s quite a different story if you’re one of the 200 people that might be laid off should this waiver get granted. Stop thinking about how messed up our political system is and start thinking about the actual people it will affect. I worked at MotivePower for almost 5 years and they’re some of the hardest working, most dedicated people when it comes to putting out a quality product that I’ve ever known.

Oh, and to clarify one of your points, MotivePower is the the only bidder in the US because they are the only US company that can produce these sophisticated locomotives quickly, efficiently, and in the numbers required.

As with the French nuke plant, I’m sure the MBTA job was put out openly and allows everybody who wants to to bid on it. I agree that the eventual decision will not mean taxpayers or anyone else is getting “the best deal”, but for now, I’m going to make sure the jobs of Americans are secured in whatever way I can.

EDITOR NOTE–Jon, your points are ALL well taken. However, if motive power can compete only by eliminating competition, it serves no public purpose for the people of Boston. Also, as we read the FTA summary, all but the two prototypes would be built in Kentucky–not Spain. Micron, the largest non-profit company in Idaho turned a profit a couple quarters, but only because the government came to their rescue and froze out foreign competition. Now THEY build and buy in foreign lands and get tax breaks in Idaho. No easy answer, but protectionism is NOT the answer.