I've seen too many politicians placing their attempts to get immortalize, by having a building, park, bridge, etc. named after them, over getting some real legislative, and/or administrative work done, for the benefits of their constituents. I think 100 years should go by before they're eligible to have their name placed on anything. It might take some incentive away, from their efforts, if they couldn't get their name placed on anything long after a whole generation or two had long forgotten who the hell they were.

-- Modified on 3/19/2011 2:07:15 PM

I despise when they name it after living politicians. I rather like it when they name it after great Americans. I'd rather have a Emma Goldman Bridge than a Woodrow Wilson Bridge any day.

What pissed me off more than anything was when the GOP changed the name of Washington National Airport to Reagan National Airport. I mean for fuck's sake, it's in Washington, and named after the father of this country. Not good enough for you?

But it could be worse. You could name something after a corporation, like the fucking Verizon Center or the Nissan Pavilion. But capitalists never tire of stroking their ego.

...on everything, and his grinning Alzheimer's face on Mt. Rushmore.

Just outside Reagan National Airport is The George Bush Center Of Intelligence. Of course, it refers to Dubya's father, but it's amusing none-the-less.

officals. Jersey wrote an excellent post against naming buildings, bridges, highways after living public officials. Which I totally agree. But as I got to thinking I would like to have no buildings, bridges and highways named after public officials living or dead. Near where I live they are going to have a Congressman Tom Lantos state building and on and on.

If I were President, our buildings, bridges etc. would be named after our fallen heroes would died in battle protecting our country. I despise any politician having his name on a building that I as Taxpayer paid for. To me it is a sign of vanity and selfishness. We should always take every opportunity to honor our men and women in service to our country. Instead of blah blah (insert name) politician State Building I like to PFC Ross McGinnis name on that building.

It is okay to honor them for service after they are no longer in politics, but to name a building for a current political figure is a form of a campaign donation by the State to his next campaign.  It is also an official recognition by the state that the person is doing a great job.

I would not limit it to "fallen hero," since many non -military also perform valuable services.  It is just that the state should not be "approving" of the job while the person in running for office.  The State has to be neutral in elections, and this violates that.

If a city wants to name a building after a current politician, it should give the "advertising value," which can be calculated, to his opponents.

to use the taxpayers money as they see fit. Here in illinois everything is named after the running dogs of capitalism or their lackeys. I have enclosed a link for your viewing pleasure...LOL