More doom and gloom.

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
Poor infrastructure fails America, civil engineers repor.

The country's overall infrastructure grade is a D-.

Sometimes I wonder if we should reverse Manifest Destiny. The fact is the USA is spread too thin. If the USA had stuck to the original 13 Colonies we might have the money to have a really nice infrastructure. Yes, we would be far more dense. Perhaps we should give CA, TX, etc. back to Mexico? :p


 

alchemize

Lifer
Mar 24, 2000
11,486
0
0
Silly. Here's how bridges should be graded:

A: Brand new
B: A few potholes and needs some paint.
C: Needs some structural work but sound
D: On the verge of collapse, use at your own risk
F: Bridge? What Bridge?

Civil engineers want job stability too.

By the way, wasn't this "crumbling infrastructure" all the rage in the early 90's?
 

Skitzer

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2000
4,414
3
81
It's too bad people don't take notice of this issue until a bridge collapses and deaths occur. Even then the outcry only lasts a few days and then it's business as usual. I hope Obama is able to do something about this ...... we need infrastructure improvements disparately!
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,831
4,934
136
Originally posted by: Skitzer
It's too bad people don't take notice of this issue until a bridge collapses and deaths occur. Even then the outcry only lasts a few days and then it's business as usual. I hope Obama is able to do something about this ...... we need infrastructure improvements disparately!

Agreed: taxcuts don't build bridges; we need infrastructure investment now.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Originally posted by: feralkid
Originally posted by: Skitzer
It's too bad people don't take notice of this issue until a bridge collapses and deaths occur. Even then the outcry only lasts a few days and then it's business as usual. I hope Obama is able to do something about this ...... we need infrastructure improvements disparately!

Agreed: taxcuts don't build bridges; we need infrastructure investment now.

It is terrible the mismanagement of a nearly 3 trillion dollar budget that cant afford to do these types of things.
 

brandonbull

Diamond Member
May 3, 2005
6,362
1,219
126
Originally posted by: feralkid
Originally posted by: Skitzer
It's too bad people don't take notice of this issue until a bridge collapses and deaths occur. Even then the outcry only lasts a few days and then it's business as usual. I hope Obama is able to do something about this ...... we need infrastructure improvements disparately!

Agreed: taxcuts don't build bridges; we need infrastructure investment now.

We have to bail the crooks out first. That big ponzi scheme has to be feed at the expense of real assets.

 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,831
4,934
136
Originally posted by: brandonbull
Originally posted by: feralkid
Originally posted by: Skitzer
It's too bad people don't take notice of this issue until a bridge collapses and deaths occur. Even then the outcry only lasts a few days and then it's business as usual. I hope Obama is able to do something about this ...... we need infrastructure improvements disparately!

Agreed: taxcuts don't build bridges; we need infrastructure investment now.

We have to bail the crooks out first. That big ponzi scheme has to be feed at the expense of real assets.

Did anyone actually go to jail?
 

GTKeeper

Golden Member
Apr 14, 2005
1,118
0
0
Look at the new House Republican bill. Not 1 penny for infrastructure.

The one thing we actually need in this damn bill is infrastructure.


Its a lose lose situation for America. Either a) we get a lot of pork + some tax cuts from the Dems + infrastructure, or b) a lot of tax cuts and no infrastructure.

Why can't we do

c) Tax cuts and infrastructure spending ?
 

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
27,112
930
126
Make we can has new infrastructure made from recycled materials from the Iraq / Aghan wars. :roll:
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,831
4,934
136
Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Make we can has new infrastructure made from recycled materials from the Iraq / Aghan wars. :roll:

I think your cat is using your keyboard.
 

irwincur

Golden Member
Jul 8, 2002
1,899
0
0
Maybe we could first figure out why the transportaiton budget grows every year but our infrastructure crumbles. I would hazard a guess to say that we are wasting a ton of money on stupid projects. Furthermore, the States are responsible for a good deal of raodway. We may want to analyze how we are redistributing gas tax monies (those that are specifically for infrastructure). An example of this is that on average the Midwest states which tend to be more densly populated and have harsher winters tend to get less money per capita than Southern states. Michigan is a good example, they are actually at a net loss when it comes to gas tax revenue - yet have some of the highest needs. Distribution has to be tied to need and not to the local influence of elected officials.

It gets tiring for the government to always see more money as the solution to their problems. Odds are there is plenty of money, maybe it is time to streamline government. Businesses do it all the time. But, businesses thrive off of efficiency - government thrives off of waste and excess. When is the last time the government has bothered to trim the fat, or allow for early retirement?

Run the government like a business, with responsibility to the people. Why does the government not send out an annual report outlining spending (a watered down version of the budget)? Because they do not want to taxpayers to know just how poorly it is run.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Originally posted by: irwincur
Maybe we could first figure out why the transportaiton budget grows every year but our infrastructure crumbles. I would hazard a guess to say that we are wasting a ton of money on stupid projects. Furthermore, the States are responsible for a good deal of raodway. We may want to analyze how we are redistributing gas tax monies (those that are specifically for infrastructure). An example of this is that on average the Midwest states which tend to be more densly populated and have harsher winters tend to get less money per capita than Southern states. Michigan is a good example, they are actually at a net loss when it comes to gas tax revenue - yet have some of the highest needs. Distribution has to be tied to need and not to the local influence of elected officials.

It gets tiring for the government to always see more money as the solution to their problems. Odds are there is plenty of money, maybe it is time to streamline government. Businesses do it all the time. But, businesses thrive off of efficiency - government thrives off of waste and excess. When is the last time the government has bothered to trim the fat, or allow for early retirement?

Run the government like a business, with responsibility to the people. Why does the government not send out an annual report outlining spending (a watered down version of the budget)? Because they do not want to taxpayers to know just how poorly it is run.

Exactly. With a federal budget of 3 trillion we cant find money in some bloated program or programs to pay for infrastructure? Instead we have to borrow 825 billion against our future income to do it?

 

mooseracing

Golden Member
Mar 9, 2006
1,711
0
0
Originally posted by: GTKeeper


Why can't we do

c) Tax cuts and infrastructure spending ?

How can you do that? Where is the money going to come from, more form China Loans?


We need to quit the spending spree and trying to cut taxes.

We need to bring job stability and create jobs not jsut create them while the current ones dissapear. I think taxing the hell out of foreign shit would help, so people are forced to decide on the quality and not the huge price difference.
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
Originally posted by: Genx87
Originally posted by: feralkid
Originally posted by: Skitzer
It's too bad people don't take notice of this issue until a bridge collapses and deaths occur. Even then the outcry only lasts a few days and then it's business as usual. I hope Obama is able to do something about this ...... we need infrastructure improvements disparately!

Agreed: taxcuts don't build bridges; we need infrastructure investment now.

It is terrible the mismanagement of a nearly 3 trillion dollar budget that cant afford to do these types of things.
Things are improving, they're moving their own furniture now. ;)

Text
 

MotF Bane

No Lifer
Dec 22, 2006
60,801
10
0
Originally posted by: GTKeeper
Look at the new House Republican bill. Not 1 penny for infrastructure.

The one thing we actually need in this damn bill is infrastructure.


Its a lose lose situation for America. Either a) we get a lot of pork + some tax cuts from the Dems + infrastructure, or b) a lot of tax cuts and no infrastructure.

Why can't we do

c) Tax cuts and infrastructure spending ?

Because our politicians are inept, corrupt, et cetera. :(
 

Double Trouble

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,270
103
106
Originally posted by: Genx87
Originally posted by: irwincur
Maybe we could first figure out why the transportaiton budget grows every year but our infrastructure crumbles. I would hazard a guess to say that we are wasting a ton of money on stupid projects. Furthermore, the States are responsible for a good deal of raodway. We may want to analyze how we are redistributing gas tax monies (those that are specifically for infrastructure). An example of this is that on average the Midwest states which tend to be more densly populated and have harsher winters tend to get less money per capita than Southern states. Michigan is a good example, they are actually at a net loss when it comes to gas tax revenue - yet have some of the highest needs. Distribution has to be tied to need and not to the local influence of elected officials.

It gets tiring for the government to always see more money as the solution to their problems. Odds are there is plenty of money, maybe it is time to streamline government. Businesses do it all the time. But, businesses thrive off of efficiency - government thrives off of waste and excess. When is the last time the government has bothered to trim the fat, or allow for early retirement?

Run the government like a business, with responsibility to the people. Why does the government not send out an annual report outlining spending (a watered down version of the budget)? Because they do not want to taxpayers to know just how poorly it is run.

Exactly. With a federal budget of 3 trillion we cant find money in some bloated program or programs to pay for infrastructure? Instead we have to borrow 825 billion against our future income to do it?

:thumbsup:
 

ccbadd

Senior member
Jan 19, 2004
456
0
76
Originally posted by: GTKeeper
Look at the new House Republican bill. Not 1 penny for infrastructure.

The one thing we actually need in this damn bill is infrastructure.


Its a lose lose situation for America. Either a) we get a lot of pork + some tax cuts from the Dems + infrastructure, or b) a lot of tax cuts and no infrastructure.

Why can't we do

c) Tax cuts and infrastructure spending ?



If you want an infrastructure bill, call your congressman/woman and ask for it. Why don't people get pissed when government tells you they are doing one thing on the news and does something totally different in actuality? This is supposed to be an economic stimulus bill, but all it really is is a HUGE PORK BILL. Didn't Obama say he was going to refuse any pork/earmark legislation that passes his desk. If this bill gets to him and he signs it he is nothing but a flat our LIER!!!
 

GTKeeper

Golden Member
Apr 14, 2005
1,118
0
0
Originally posted by: mooseracing
Originally posted by: GTKeeper


Why can't we do

c) Tax cuts and infrastructure spending ?

How can you do that? Where is the money going to come from, more form China Loans?


We need to quit the spending spree and trying to cut taxes.

We need to bring job stability and create jobs not jsut create them while the current ones dissapear. I think taxing the hell out of foreign shit would help, so people are forced to decide on the quality and not the huge price difference.


Just get rid of the Department of Homeland Security and there's your money for infrastructure, but that would never happen.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
D- is a bit silly. Let's be common sensical about it. Out of the many thousands and thousands of bridges in the US how many are actually collapsing in any given year?

There are problems and the country severely needs a widening of most major highways around most major cities, but a D- is just not fair.

The bill being discussed now is super heavy on pork.