newsobserver.com projects - State jet - Comments

Re: Governing on a jet plane

captainjack — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:45:32 -0400

Speaking of talking points:

"Republicans should be more patriotic and be willing to make the sacrifices required to prevent teacher lay-offs, larger class sizes, and cutting school programs, rather than pander to people's selfish interests."

Where did that one come from? A box of Cracker Jacks or Sesame Street?

And about the pandering. I'm guessing you don't see any pandering going on to the teachers and their union? You don't see any pandering to the Democratic base?

But what can you expect from those "less than patriotic" Republicans who will not keep Bev's teachers happy. How can you get reelected if the opposition party will not keep your base happy? What is the world coming to?

It is hard to see the unemployment lines

PoliticalJunkie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:26:30 -0400

and closed factories from 15,000 feet.

Re: We knew Perdue was flighty

Gosh — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:14:42 -0400

But this trip is a little ridiculous.

Did she fly to Argentina or Asheville?

You guys seriously need new talking points.

Re: Governing on a jet plane

NewDemocrat09 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:54:23 -0400

Come on. This is just Senator Berger making ridiculous allegations and using attack politics to whip people into a lather. Republicans could learn from their ex-Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan who actually RAISED taxes to account for budget shortfalls. Seriously, this is why our Founding Fathers created a representative democracy so that tough decisions for the welfare of the people could be made. If left entirely to the people there would be NO taxes which would lead to anarchy. North Carolina has become one of the largest and most cutting edge development states because of our education system. It's what's attracted businesses here for decades because of the research facilities and the fact that our state has one of the best public university systems and compared to the rest of the Southeast a great public school system coupled with government subsidies to entice them. Republicans should be more patriotic and be willing to make the sacrifices required to prevent teacher lay-offs, larger class sizes, and cutting school programs, rather than pander to people's selfish interests. When it comes to education in the 21st Century, which is the only way Americans are going to be able to compete against societies like Japan, South Korea, and European nations where 60-70% of the population has a college degree, Republicans shouldn't try to score cheap political points, but continue to invest in future prosperity.

We knew Perdue was flighty

PoliticalJunkie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:16:07 -0400

But this trip is a little ridiculous.

Re: Governing on a jet plane

Prototype — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:16:40 -0400

The above article states that "Perdue led rallies......"

You surely cannot be referring to the one in Greenville. There is no way that "event" could be called a rally. Depressing at best.

Re: Governing on a jet plane

jgriffith3792 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:20:16 -0400

Amazing. The more I see and hear about this woman and what she does, the more I am convinced she is absolutely 100% clueless. John Edwards in a skirt.

Perdue: Not willing to sacrifice herself

concerned53 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:00:34 -0400

Chrissy, we are not disputing that she should travel the state and talk with some of her children. But why not set an example for the rest of us by showing that she is willing to sacrifice even a little bit. Take a car, or a van or a bus or how about a train to some of her cities. What a great PR move that would have been but I guess that she just does not get it. And then when she gets there, how about having her meet with the press or perhaps some of her children that are not union members.

Re: Governing on a jet plane

mountainman — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:46:33 -0400

11. Her broom is in the shop. LOL

Top ten possible reasons to take the jet.......

domewatcher — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:19:25 -0400

Top ten possible reasons to take the jet on the “Raise Your Taxes Tour:”

10. Flying is safer than driving!

9. Got to use the plane every once in a while to keep the piston rings from seizing up.

8. The pilots need the hours to keep their licenses current.

7. The state of the economy doesn’t seem so bad from the air. In fact the state is quite lovely if you don’t have to drive by and see all the suffering of the people we want to tax.

6. The poor people in the eastern part of the state seldom get to see a real airplane.

5. Gas is up to about $2.65 per gallon and jet fuel isn’t so bad if the taxpayers are paying.

4. The auto execs used to have their own planes.

3. The trip did not cost one red cent. We used frequent flyer miles.

2. Those jets really do go fast so we were able to see more of those enormous and wildly enthusiastic crowds who stood in line for hours just to get a glimpse. You’d thought Oprah was in town.

1. We couldn’t take the car ‘cause we ain’t sure about the new inspection sticker deal. The inspection sticker on the car is out but we were able to buy the license tags anyway. So we thought it would be safer to take the plane until those clowns in Raleigh get it figured out. We’re not sure if we would be breaking the law by taking the car and the Attorney General’s office wouldn’t return our calls. The jet seemed like the legal thing to do.

Re: Governing on a jet plane

PaulTerrell — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:59:04 -0400

This is the typical arrgoance dispplayed by every person that votes for the tax increases. Oh wait, that would be every Democrat legislator?

Re: Governing on a jet plane

DallasWoodho — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:41:45 -0400

She can't drive to Greenville? To Wilmington?

Pearson Who?

chesmcd — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:06:41 -0400

Pearson, go back to New Bern, you make no sense. Maybe the Gov. does need to travel and waste tax dollars she is advocating to raise. But she doesn't. IF she did she could drive (costing the state a lot less that $1200 an hour to run the Dept. of Commerce's Airplane) around NC.

But, if her tax increase is such a GREAT idea then she doesn't need to fly around the state and beg all 40 scared teachers that showed up at her rally to support it.

Re: Governing on a jet plane

BitterEXdemocrat — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:00:01 -0400

She's a Rawleigh insider who does NOT understand what it takes to run the state. Time for her to step aside and let Dr. Mike Munger take over. He and Pat McCrory could help us, she cannot. MORE CORRUPTION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION!

Meanwhile the NCCCS board of advisors will vote on allowing ILLEGALS to attend NC community colleges...if you dont favor this, you need to find their website, locate the board of advisors and let them know! They are scattered statewide, and keep a low profile usually, which is why they need to be questioned on their positions NOW!

Re: State gets most of jet money

Hockeydad92 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:55:32 -0400

Hey commerce department, try this novel idea, when recruiting new businesses to move to the state lower the corporate tax rates and let the companies fly around and scout locations on their own jets! They have G5 Gulfstreams and such, not lowly Cessnas...