$1.6 Trillion To Fix Our Aging Infrastructure...

[cynatnite]

I don't know if the neglect of this nation's infrastructure contributed to the bridge tragedy in Minneapolis, but I couldn't help but wonder if this is another sign of things to come. The steam pipe explosion was an indicator of how badly it's decaying. If the local, state and federal governments don't get a move on we may very well see more lives lost because of our crumbling infrastructure.

We spend billions upon billions on making sure we have the mightiest military on the planet, but we don't do shit for health care, education, infrastructure, poverty and other important issues.

Anyway, I did a little googling and found these:

But it is not just about pipes. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that it will take $1.6 trillion over the next five years to get US roads, bridges, dams, water systems and airports into good condition.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/070720/43/6i97j.html

Congress eyes fix for crumbling infrastructure

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/08/01/congress_eyes_fix_for_crumbling_infrastructure/

And this bill in congress is barely a drop in the bucket of what's needed.

[TwilightGardener]

1. How very weird that Dodd and Hagel introduced this bill today--

what a sad coincidence.

[WCGreen]

2. Welcome to the downsizing of America...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. But doncha know....

To fix all these things...

We might have to raise taxes!

It's way past time to get busy....

Before our beloved country crumbles away before our shocked eyes...

[MikeNearMcChord]

4. There is one group that has not sacrificed in the

last 26% years, those in the top 1%. Let's get them first, also what great way to train some of our youth for Vocational education. It looks like the infrastructure in America will need work for a very long time.

[cynatnite]

5. What I find funny...

Is no one wants to raise taxes...no one wants their taxes raised...

One word about cutting into the fat military budget and people scream like crazy...their heads'll explode or something.

Nobody wants to sacrifice anything to improve our quality of life in this country.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. I should have used the sarcasm smiley...

Of course we need to raise taxes...

I have no problem at all with paying more...

And I definitely agree about cutting into the fat military budget!

Sorry I didn't make my point clearer...

[cynatnite]

9. Oh, no....I wasn't trying to come down on you or anything...

just commenting is all :)

[burrowowl]

6. And not wage illegal wars

the infrastruction is going to hell in a handbasket! and the gas taxes we pay to keep it up, don't seemed to be applied to the infrastucture. WHY?

[mnhtnbb]

8. Economists might refer to it as the opportunity cost of Iraq war

Blow up another country instead of rebuilding our own.

Way to go, Bushie boy.

[madrchsod]

10. if i remember correctly from econ 101

that for every dollar spent on the public good returns 5 dollars back into the economy. war/military spending returns zero