Think of infrastructure as the arteries of any nation and when arteries are old, clogged and neglected the results are often fatal. One consistent, yet rhetorical observation throughout my years of travel has been: Why do states with the highest tax rates seem to also possess the worst infrastructure and in particular – roadways?
Another reflection is how much politicians seem to relish discussing and campaigning on infrastructure issues. Who among the political class doesn’t like grabbing those oversized scissors at a media-hyped ribbon-cutting event? Those free photo ops are priceless, like so many overrun government infrastructure boondoggles.
All the infrastructure talk never seems to get past the much-desired repairs, upgrades, and protection that is desperately needed. Revitalization of infrastructure is the paved road that leads to sustainable economic growth not only on the federal echelon, but even more so on the state and local level. What never is brought up is how the Constitution leaves infrastructure development as a primary state and local function.
For too long we have taken our infrastructure for granted. The result will be more crumbling roads, bridges, and blackouts.
State and local governments should raise their own monies. That would behoove them to make the case to taxpayers for what is really needed. Such an approach would free them from the octopus-like attachment of regulation overkill that every federal project must tango with.
One viable solution would be the development of a national infrastructure bank that would be a two-fold financial force. It would greatly ease the tax burden, while courting a wide swath of investors including pension funds to invest in home-grown infrastructure.
New and replacement infrastructure must be built using the latest materials and technology that would result in a more resilient product. Such innovation will save much more money over the long term. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $2 trillion is needed to bring its infrastructure up to acceptable standards.
Infrastructure investment is the deep undercurrent of any economy, and it comprises billions of tax dollars spent yearly. You may not have personally built it, as Barack Obama loved to remind Americans, but you sure did pay for it. Remember those “shovel-ready projects” that were supposed to start once “stimulus” monies were passed by Congress? Years later, Obama would joke about how there were no such ready projects.
When was the last time we built anything comparable to the Hoover Dam, or the Empire State Building that was completed early and yes – under budget.
When was the last time we built anything comparable to the Hoover Dam, or the Empire State Building that was completed early and yes – under budget. Most remain incredulous that we could build a new interstate highway system from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans – let alone send a human beyond the moon.
Sen. John Fetterman, dressed in his typical 'hood gear of gym shorts and hoodie, added another Pennsylvania embarrassment to his senate resume as he launched into a stumbling gibberish diatribe when introducing President Biden near the I-95 collapse site. Biden, who can dish out his own unique all-star version of gibberish, wasn’t much better.
For nearly two decades, nation-building was in vogue when the focus should have been on our domestic infrastructure renewal. When ignored, the results manifest themselves along Philadelphia’s I-95 corridor, Flint Michigan’s infamous water purification woes, the I-35 Mississippi River bridge in Minneapolis, or (pick a city's) daily delays in the public transportation system. The problem isn’t that dollars aren’t being spent on such projects; rather, the money is being spent poorly and mismanaged.
Smarter infrastructure is the best kind of cost-effective development, since it supports all other economic activity by creating new jobs while stimulating growth.
As the nation’s infrastructure continues to age, we must be cognizant how minor neglect can result in major consequences. For too long we have taken our infrastructure for granted. The result will be more crumbling roads, bridges, and blackouts.
Infrastructure is not only the basic systems that are the foundation of daily life, but is an important part of our national defense, and its deterioration and neglect puts everyone at risk.
Releated from RTV — Pride Month & the Vatican’s World Meeting on Human Fraternity
