Do you support Trumps infrastructure improvement position?

[Brainonska511]

Speaking of Trump's support for infrastructure projects, here they are withholding a $647 million grant to help Caltrain electrify some lines: https://nyti.ms/2n53UHX

 

[zinfamous]

That's a left wing government applying the ludicrous left wing belief that people are interchangeable and thus all employment is random. (i. e. Whether one is a dentist or a farmer is based purely on who one knows - sound familiar?) Here we are talking about individuals freely making decisions based on their own abilities, preferences, and best interests. The two situations are diametrically opposed.

yes, it's a bit of hyperbole, but the assertion that an employee in work sector A will move over to work sector B, simply because "it is there" and without any assumptions of transferable skill requirements, is as laughable and mythical as the unending republican fantasy that supply side economics is anything better than completely toxic and destructive to a market-based economy. And here we have Trump offering his own version of meth-induced supply side economics, and his little lap-puppies are slobbering all over it.

 

[imported_tajmahal]

Speaking of Trump's support for infrastructure projects, here they are withholding a $647 million grant to help Caltrain electrify some lines: https://nyti.ms/2n53UHX

Sounds good to me, their fraudulently passed high speed rail should have it's funding removed.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-bullet-train-cash-20161224-story.html

 

[Jhhnn]

Speaking of Trump's support for infrastructure projects, here they are withholding a $647 million grant to help Caltrain electrify some lines: https://nyti.ms/2n53UHX

Diesel good. Electricity bad.

 

[fskimospy]

Sounds good to me, their fraudulently passed high speed rail should have it's funding removed.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-bullet-train-cash-20161224-story.html

Those are separate projects, genius.

 

[vi edit]

Diesel good. Electricity bad.

Nah. We want coal powered choo choo trains! Gotta throw a bone to the coal belt voters.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

The total cost of the restoration of infrastructure is likely in the 4 trillion dollar range. There is no proposed plan which can take us back to the '60s in terms of interstates etc.

So let's not do it. Instead, use 21st century solutions and spend money on things like pipes and dams where needed?

Out of the box stuff.

Who's up for a challenge? Use current or on the horizon technology and approaches. You "win" if you come in under 4 trillion. Let's go with an obvious one, roads and bridges to start. Any creative types?

 

[vi edit]

As for a real answer...the devil is in the details. I have full faith that any "improvements" are going to be nothing but enrichment schemes for whatever contractors grovel at the feet of Dear Leader. Follow the dollars and it will all lead back to some deal or benefit to Trump Co.

 

[fskimospy]

As for a real answer...the devil is in the details. I have full faith that any "improvements" are going to be nothing but enrichment schemes for whatever contractors grovel at the feet of Dear Leader. Follow the dollars and it will all lead back to some deal or benefit to Trump Co.

The fact that it's a scam isn't even a secret. They have come right out and said the goal will be to exchange infrastructure improvements for rights to that infrastructure. For a simple example this means a private company pays to fix up a stretch of interstate and turns it into a toll road. It's backdoor privatization of our infrastructure.

What we really need is sustained investment in infrastructure that is structured as a mandatory appropriation, meaning that we don't depend on Congress to pass a bill spending that money each year, the money is automatically appropriated unless Congress passes a bill to stop it. Infrastructure is expensive and fixing a bridge isn't sexy or exciting, so nobody wants to do it. Time to take that decision out of their hands.

 

[1sikbITCH]

You've obviously never worked in a restaurant. I waited tables through college, there are all sorts of people that work in restaurants. It's not just ditzy little girls and old lady's that smoke too much.

Not enough to supplant an industry.

 

[theeedude]

Here are the congressmen who screwed their own state for the sake of their party:
Ken Calvert, Paul Cook, Jeff Denham, Duncan D. Hunter, Darrell Issa, Steve Knight, Doug LaMalfa, Kevin McCarthy, Tom McClintock, Devin Nunes, Dana Rohrabacher, Ed Royce, David Valadao and Mimi Walters

 

[Jhhnn]

Trump wants to plow a lot of money into infrastructure improvement, what's your opinion? I'm all for it, our bridges absolutely need maintenance and there needs to be massive infrastructure spending. It puts people to works and is an investment that generally results in more economic activity.

Plan? There is no plan other than facilitation of rent seeking by Capitalists. Instead of financing by taxes they'll finance it with money making opportunities.

What the Hell good is anything if you have to pay for it rather than make money off it?

 

[Staples]

A huge amount of people in construction are illegals. So there is that.

 

[glenn1]

This thread just shows the obvious - partisans will refuse to do the obvious thing when the other party is in power for the sole reason of concern that their boogeyman will make a buck off it. GOP resisted infrastructure when they thought unions would benefit more, and progressives are resisting it now because they think "big business" will benefit more.

 

[zinfamous]

This thread just shows the obvious - partisans will refuse to do the obvious thing when the other party is in power for the sole reason of concern that their boogeyman will make a buck off it. GOP resisted infrastructure when they thought unions would benefit more, and progressives are resisting it now because they think "big business" will benefit more.

..the fuck? How do "Unions benefit more" and how is that remotely the same thing as big business benefiting? Here let me spell it out for you:

--"Union/Dem plan" (or so you say). Union workers will get priority so, hey--at the very least, we have people at work. Infrastructure remains under public ownership.

--Trump/corporate plan: cheapest labor will be employed (yep: immigrants!) and the infrastructure will be leased from private hands, so the public is constantly paying for it out of their pockets. YAY!

Jesus tapdancing christ: The more you republicans open your mouths, the more the rest of us understand how thoroughly you hate this country and its people.

 

[fskimospy]

This thread just shows the obvious - partisans will refuse to do the obvious thing when the other party is in power for the sole reason of concern that their boogeyman will make a buck off it. GOP resisted infrastructure when they thought unions would benefit more, and progressives are resisting it now because they think "big business" will benefit more.

Except of course progressives aren't resisting it. They are big fans of infrastructure spending, just not big fans of privatizing our infrastructure. If Trump wanted to actually invest in infrastructure progressives would be all for it.

 

[glenn1]

..the fuck? How do "Unions benefit more" and how is that remotely the same thing as big business benefiting? Here let me spell it out for you:

--"Union/Dem plan" (or so you say). Union workers will get priority so, hey--at the very least, we have people at work. Infrastructure remains under public ownership.

--Trump/corporate plan: cheapest labor will be employed (yep: immigrants!) and the infrastructure will be leased from private hands, so the public is constantly paying for it out of their pockets. YAY!

Jesus tapdancing christ: The more you republicans open your mouths, the more the rest of us understand how thoroughly you hate this country and its people.

LOL, sure thing. Enjoy your rotting cities, as if Republicans needed the excuse to not spend money on you. But at least you'll show "the man" they can't get your money, nosiree.

 

[fskimospy]

LOL, sure thing. Enjoy your rotting cities, as if Republicans needed the excuse to not spend money on you. But at least you'll show "the man" they can't get your money, nosiree.

Meh, it's all a cycle. It's better to put off infrastructure improvements for a few years in order to avoid having them permanently privatized.

As for 'rotting cities', you better hope not! Remember, suburban and rural areas like the ones you live in depend on the massive wealth and economic productivity produced by cities. You need cities, cities don't need you. Better keep that in mind in case one day those cities decide that you are more trouble than you're worth.

 

[Jhhnn]

..the fuck? How do "Unions benefit more" and how is that remotely the same thing as big business benefiting? Here let me spell it out for you:

--"Union/Dem plan" (or so you say). Union workers will get priority so, hey--at the very least, we have people at work. Infrastructure remains under public ownership.

--Trump/corporate plan: cheapest labor will be employed (yep: immigrants!) and the infrastructure will be leased from private hands, so the public is constantly paying for it out of their pockets. YAY!

Jesus tapdancing christ: The more you republicans open your mouths, the more the rest of us understand how thoroughly you hate this country and its people.

Well said. Thank you.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Na, nevermind. Out of the box, please continue.

 

[Jhhnn]

Meh, it's all a cycle. It's better to put off infrastructure improvements for a few years in order to avoid having them permanently privatized.

As for 'rotting cities', you better hope not! Remember, suburban and rural areas like the ones you live in depend on the massive wealth and economic productivity produced by cities. You need cities, cities don't need you. Better keep that in mind in case one day those cities decide that you are more trouble than you're worth.

We all need each other & we all need to see it that way if we're to thrive.

 

[glenn1]

Meh, it's all a cycle. It's better to put off infrastructure improvements for a few years in order to avoid having them permanently privatized.

As for 'rotting cities', you better hope not! Remember, suburban and rural areas like the ones you live in depend on the massive wealth and economic productivity produced by cities. You need cities, cities don't need you. Better keep that in mind in case one day those cities decide that you are more trouble than you're worth.

My well-being isn't adversely impacted in the least by your potholes, long commutes, abandoned buildings, and dying mass transit systems. Meanwhile the suburbs have brand new infrastructure and I guess we'll just need to make do.

 

[zinfamous]

LOL, sure thing. Enjoy your rotting cities, as if Republicans needed the excuse to not spend money on you. But at least you'll show "the man" they can't get your money, nosiree.

so...cities should "rot" unless they accept the corporate enema that your Trump wants to impose on everyone?

Do you actually consider yourself American?

 

[zinfamous]

My well-being isn't adversely impacted in the least by your potholes, long commutes, abandoned buildings, and dying mass transit systems. Meanwhile the suburbs have brand new infrastructure and I guess we'll just need to make do.

lol. you think only cities need infrastructure improvements. Good luck crossing any river, comrade.

 

[fskimospy]

My well-being isn't adversely impacted in the least by your potholes, long commutes, abandoned buildings, and dying mass transit systems.

Of course it isn't, why would it be? Please explain. I do think I'm starting to hear the classic glenn1 jealousy of cities peeking out again though.

Meanwhile the suburbs have brand new infrastructure and I guess we'll just need to make do.

Nah, plenty of suburban and rural areas have large infrastructure needs and unlike cities they frequently lack the tax base or economic power to effectively address them. You'll be able to make do for a little while I guess but without the money and economic opportunities present in cities suburban and rural areas will face economic collapse. I hope it's all new because that infrastructure you have is the last you'll be able to afford, lol.