When is the richest nation on the planet going to decide to actually invest in its infrastructure? (interstate, Congress)
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I used to at least somewhat believe in American Exceptipnalism. Now I tend to think we're just exceptionally stupid.
How else to explain the fact that we're the dominant superpower who spends like 10x the next biggest nation on military, and yet we seem to be vehemently opposed to any infrastructure investment in this nation?
And it's not just a Texas thing. Here in California, we've been told to accept that power shuts off even when functional just because the wind is blowing. That is literally the plan to stop antiquated equipment from causing massive wildfires. So clearly it's not just a liberal or conservative problem.
And it's even more than just the electric grid. Airports, roads, bridges, other utilities in this nation are pathetic. This is not a new thing. Go look at the infrastructure in cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore - we are a joke.
And don't even get me started on healthcare and how we've decided to make that a privilege of only white collar people who work for large enough corporations.
How long have we known that our infrastructure in this nation is crap? How long have we talked about infrastructure bills through every Democrat and Republican administration but seen nothing, like some sort of a mythical unicorn?
Even now, I doubt Congress will mobilize to do anything. Democrats will push some impractical green stuff and Republicans will rather die than fund anything. America is apparently a nation where citizens are content to return to 17th century standards of living while we flex our military muscle and lie to ourselves about what an "exceptional" nation we are. That we are, just not in a good way.
This nation is in long-term decline, and it's more complex than just a Democrat or Republican problem; it's both together.
The infrastructure is quite alright as long the big-box retailers have product.
Thanks to technology and the fact a majority of work and leisure can be done anywhere we don't need to update the roads, airports and the nation's bridges can be fixed with a small investment of less than 20 billion a year over ten years.
Transit options are more than good enough. A majority of large cities have rail in addition to frequent bus service. Smaller communities tend to have 16 hours of 30-60 minute frequency bus service.
Why do they need to improve airports? A flight is a flight, the airport doesn't matter. As long as the plane is in good shape that's all that matters.
The roads are good enough, I have been around much of the country and less than 5% that I have been around need urgent repair.
Bridges are essential but those could be totally updated with 164 billion dollars which would be less than 1% of the current a year spread over ten years.
Health care is expensive because the nurse wages and doctor wages are extremely high and Americans tend to be extremely unhealthy and eat mainly grease, carbs, Cholesterol.
If Americans want lower health care costs, nurse and doctors would need to be a fraction of what they are now and people would need to have a Japan, China or Vietnamese obesity rate in the mid-single digits.
I used to at least somewhat believe in American Exceptipnalism. Now I tend to think we're just exceptionally stupid.
How else to explain the fact that we're the dominant superpower who spends like 10x the next biggest nation on military, and yet we seem to be vehemently opposed to any infrastructure investment in this nation?
And it's not just a Texas thing. Here in California, we've been told to accept that power shuts off even when functional just because the wind is blowing. That is literally the plan to stop antiquated equipment from causing massive wildfires. So clearly it's not just a liberal or conservative problem.
And it's even more than just the electric grid. Airports, roads, bridges, other utilities in this nation are pathetic. This is not a new thing. Go look at the infrastructure in cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore - we are a joke.
And don't even get me started on healthcare and how we've decided to make that a privilege of only white collar people who work for large enough corporations.
How long have we known that our infrastructure in this nation is crap? How long have we talked about infrastructure bills through every Democrat and Republican administration but seen nothing, like some sort of a mythical unicorn?
Even now, I doubt Congress will mobilize to do anything. Democrats will push some impractical green stuff and Republicans will rather die than fund anything. America is apparently a nation where citizens are content to return to 17th century standards of living while we flex our military muscle and lie to ourselves about what an "exceptional" nation we are. That we are, just not in a good way.
This nation is in long-term decline, and it's more complex than just a Democrat or Republican problem; it's both together.
Well no infrastructure investment in the last 4 years, that is for sure.
I guess we’ll see if Biden does anything.
I do think deep-rooted corruption in our government means that probably 70% of infrastructure spending by the federal government is wasted, or worse. But that may have been the case decades ago when stuff like the Interstate Highway system was built. I just don’t know.
I do expect more actual infrastructure construction to happen under a Democratic administration, as it always does. Wastefully, yes. But just doing nothing and still somehow racking up trillions in debt? That seems to be a Republican specialty.
The Keystone pipeline was a good start until it got shut down. I hear the cost savings are going towards saving the midget panda of south China. Of course 10% going to "the big guy". Thanks Dems
A number of US Airports are undergoing major redevelopments including LaGuardia Airport, JFK, O'Hare and LAX.
The New York Subway has invested in new rolling stock, and there are plans to try and improve the system, and the new Moynihan Train Hall is an improvement.
In terms of the tunnel replacement in NYC, I am not sure what the current status is.
The US has carried out some infrastructure upgrades however the nature of US politics, and the sheer size of the country do present problem in themselves.
I can understand why many Americans feel frustrated as the US has a history of impressive infrastructure projects, and at one time led the world.
However these days, the US is overshadowed by projects in the Far East, and by infrastructure investment levels in parts of Europe.
Last edited by Brave New World; 02-20-2021 at 12:59 AM..
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