"Infrastructure...we have fallen way behind even some historically underdeveloped countries"

[marmar]

by Dan Froomkin, from HuffPost:



WASHINGTON -- Our existing infrastructure is crumbling.

In terms of the infrastructure of the future -- high speed rail, new airport terminals, and the like -- we have fallen way behind even some historically underdeveloped countries.

At the same time, our nation is suffering from massive underemployment and a nearly stagnant economy.

Building infrastructure creates jobs; having infrastructure increases productivity. Materials and labor are cheap. And we can borrow so inexpensively right now that in some cases people are actually paying for the honor of lending us money.

Only in the most colossally dysfunctional political climate would there be any hesitation to borrow large sums to jump-start an infrastructure renaissance and put the economy and the nation on a stronger and more productive economic course.

But of course dysfunctionality would be a step up for today's Washington -- not to mention tomorrow's. The leaders of the modern Republican Party blindly oppose any increases in government spending, while the Democrats are unable to govern as a majority. And the gridlock is only going to get worse. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/28/jobcreation-idea-no-13-no_n_775265.html

[gateley]

1. Bullshit! We're the GREATEST country in the World! EVERYONE envies us! nt

[Brickbat]

2. We need trillions of dollars just to get everything back up to where it should be. Why our nation

doesn't take any pride in that -- or shame in its current condition -- is beyond me.

[scarletwoman]

3. Well, that's the tradeoff for a military budget that near exceeds the sum total

of the military budgets of the rest of the world altogether.

No high speed rail for you, we've got bombs to build and peasants to kill.

sw

[leftstreet]

4. K&R

[DirkGently]

5. Maybe Haliburton and Blackwater will build us some roads, if we ask nicely ...

[marybourg]

6. "You know how you want to spend your own money. We don't need

no damned taxes". -- the GOP

[Stinky The Clown]

7. The last estimate I saw was five trillion just to get back to zero

Trillions more to do what we need.






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