Comments on: America’s infrastructure crisis http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Deborah Maxemow http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544864 Deborah Maxemow Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:29:11 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544864 We put aside this issue several administrations ago to increase our military. This isn't a new problem and the package currently presented doesn't even begin to cover it, however, we have to start somewhere. What concerns me is that there is no process in place on a national level to identify which infrastructure systems should receive first priority. If handled at the state level will special interest groups influence those priorities? I'm afraid that a great deal will need to be spent during the project identification and planning process, leaving little for the actual construction costs. To make it even more complicated is the need to incorporate increased security, environmental issues, and alternative fuel technology within these infrastructure projects. We put aside this issue several administrations ago to increase our military. This isn't a new problem and the package currently presented doesn't even begin to cover it, however, we have to start somewhere. What concerns me is that there is no process in place on a national level to identify which infrastructure systems should receive first priority. If handled at the state level will special interest groups influence those priorities? I'm afraid that a great deal will need to be spent during the project identification and planning process, leaving little for the actual construction costs. To make it even more complicated is the need to incorporate increased security, environmental issues, and alternative fuel technology within these infrastructure projects.

]]> By: Madya Parker http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544823 Madya Parker Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:41:30 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544823 When we are in a current health crisis …..with cancer an epidemic in the Northwest, can we afford to have polio and meningitis come back full force? The Washington State Legislature has a bill HB 1661 to restrict the inspection of Septic Tanks and Sewer Systems. They apparently, do not care that sewage flows in our rivers and streams. We don’t even need to have terrorist poison and destroy our water systems - we have our city, county, and state officials doing this for us. When we are in a current health crisis …..with cancer an epidemic in the Northwest, can we afford to have polio and meningitis come back full force?

The Washington State Legislature has a bill HB 1661 to restrict the inspection of Septic Tanks and Sewer Systems. They apparently, do not care that sewage flows in our rivers and streams.

We don’t even need to have terrorist poison and destroy our water systems – we have our city, county, and state officials doing this for us.

]]> By: Rita Pollock http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544814 Rita Pollock Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:51:52 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544814 I don't think scrapping the money for condoms is a good idea. The use of condoms prevents the spread of veneral diseases and aids. It prevents many pregnancies which means less money spent on health care and providing services for unwed mothers or abandoned children. Jobs are also provided. I don't think scrapping the money for condoms is a good idea. The use of condoms prevents the spread of veneral diseases and aids. It prevents many pregnancies which means less money spent on health care and providing services for unwed mothers or abandoned children. Jobs are also provided.

]]> By: Lyle http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544811 Lyle Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:43:53 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544811 Why not spend $2 trillion on America instead of the banks!!?? Here's a radical idea: Let's not only end our addiction to oil, let's end out addition to debt, ie, the banks. Let's put money in the pockets of the real people, and let the damned banks fail (and all the debt they hold along with them). Most people owe more than they have, so if we hit the big reset button, we'd all be better off, and so would our country. Why not spend $2 trillion on America instead of the banks!!?? Here's a radical idea: Let's not only end our addiction to oil, let's end out addition to debt, ie, the banks. Let's put money in the pockets of the real people, and let the damned banks fail (and all the debt they hold along with them). Most people owe more than they have, so if we hit the big reset button, we'd all be better off, and so would our country.

]]> By: Rita Pollock http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544810 Rita Pollock Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:42:44 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544810 The news today is criticizing money spent on the 2010 census. The census provides a multitude of very valuable information to businesses and the public. Good government uses the information to plan projects across the country and much much more. If you check out the Census I'm sure you will find much more of how they contribute to society. They enhance efficiency because it tracks trends to do business planning. Also criticism of spending money on the National Arts is not looking at what the arts community does for the country. All your television programmes, theatre, advertising, movies, dance, festival entertainment and on an on give training to people all across the country which provides countless jobs. Again, check out the National Arts and other programs to see what art money actually contributes to the economy and jobs. Humungous! The news today is criticizing money spent on the 2010 census. The census provides a multitude of very valuable information to businesses and the public. Good government uses the information to plan projects across the country and much much more. If you check out the Census I'm sure you will find much more of how they contribute to society. They enhance efficiency because it tracks trends to do business planning.

Also criticism of spending money on the National Arts is not looking at what the arts community does for the country. All your television programmes, theatre, advertising, movies, dance, festival entertainment and on an on give training to people all across the country which provides countless jobs. Again, check out the National Arts and other programs to see what art money actually contributes to the economy and jobs. Humungous!

]]> By: Scott from California http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544793 Scott from California Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:02:39 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544793 Every little bit of infrastructure funding helps today as one can see based on the latest report from the ASCE. The majority of this country's roads and bridges are maintained by Counties and Cities - and these funds need to make it to these agencies without the typical strings attached to Federal and State dollars. Unfortunately, in California the Governor has proposed the deferral of State Gas Taxes from January to July to assist with the financial crisis this State is experiencing. Local agencies rely on these funds to maintain their infrastructure everyday. I guess this all can be summed up by saying the Feds give and the State takes it away.... Every little bit of infrastructure funding helps today as one can see based on the latest report from the ASCE. The majority of this country's roads and bridges are maintained by Counties and Cities – and these funds need to make it to these agencies without the typical strings attached to Federal and State dollars. Unfortunately, in California the Governor has proposed the deferral of State Gas Taxes from January to July to assist with the financial crisis this State is experiencing. Local agencies rely on these funds to maintain their infrastructure everyday. I guess this all can be summed up by saying the Feds give and the State takes it away....

]]> By: Madya Parker http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544790 Madya Parker Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:53:06 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544790 The Washington State Legislature has a bill HB 1661 to restrict the inspection of Septic Tanks and Sewer Systems. They apparently, do not care that sewage flows in our rivers and streams. When we are in a current health crisis .....with cancer an epidemic in the Northwest, can we afford to have polio and meningitis come back full force? We don't even need to have terrorist poison and destroy our water systems - we have our city, county, and state officials doing this for us. The Washington State Legislature has a bill HB 1661 to restrict the inspection of Septic Tanks and Sewer Systems. They apparently, do not care that sewage flows in our rivers and streams.
When we are in a current health crisis .....with cancer an epidemic in the Northwest, can we afford to have polio and meningitis come back full force?

We don't even need to have terrorist poison and destroy our water systems – we have our city, county, and state officials doing this for us.

]]> By: KatchProFILMS http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544786 KatchProFILMS Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:39:21 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544786 Poor President Obama -- what a mess! (There is SO much.) Poor President Obama - what a mess! (There is SO much.)

]]> By: J.V.Hodgson http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544731 J.V.Hodgson Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:28:37 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544731 The amount for Infrastructure is too small, on the one hand but so clearly open to Pork and earmarking. On the other hand also it is said it yields $1.50+ to GDP for each $1 spent. The biggest difficulty is where to spend it and water should be a priority and roads/ bridges which it is said cost motorists $60bn plus per annum The national Engineers have surveys and could be tasked with prioritising the projects to spend on. Review toll fees ad legislate an amount of the toll that must go into a maintenace reserve and be spent annually, that way you do not have to keep bailing the road structure out. If the electricity grid modernisation is not a separate fund it should be, if not allocate more, and again get independent advice on where to spend for maximum efficiency and return on Investment. Loan the money to Utilities companies and oversight thru a review of the investment proposals prior to handing out the funds via an existing US government agency. My point is get the private sector involved in identifying projects and then oversight/ control at a reasonable level, before doling out the funds politicians deciding is nonsense. Regards, Hodgson. The amount for Infrastructure is too small, on the one hand but so clearly open to Pork and earmarking. On the other hand also it is said it yields $1.50+ to GDP for each $1 spent.
The biggest difficulty is where to spend it and water should be a priority and roads/ bridges which it is said cost motorists $60bn plus per annum The national Engineers have surveys and could be tasked with prioritising the projects to spend on. Review toll fees ad legislate an amount of the toll that must go into a maintenace reserve and be spent annually, that way you do not have to keep bailing the road structure out.
If the electricity grid modernisation is not a separate fund it should be, if not allocate more, and again get independent advice on where to spend for maximum efficiency and return on Investment. Loan the money to Utilities companies and oversight thru a review of the investment proposals prior to handing out the funds via an existing US government agency.
My point is get the private sector involved in identifying projects and then oversight/ control at a reasonable level, before doling out the funds politicians deciding is nonsense.
Regards,
Hodgson.

]]> By: Kim http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544699 Kim Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:58:55 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544699 I think the majority of the 825 billion package should be spent on our infrastructure. This would kill 2 birds with one stone, jobs and fixing our infrastructure. I think the majority of the 825 billion package should be spent on our infrastructure. This would kill 2 birds with one stone, jobs and fixing our infrastructure.

]]> By: Renee http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544685 Renee Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:48:34 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544685 When President Obama said he wanted the largest part of the bill to be on infrastructure...people cried "Sexist" because these types of mortar and brick jobs mainly support men. When Pelosi added contraceptive money to the bill to keep nurses, educators, secretaries, pharm techs employed....people cried "Pork." MAN!!!! Can't please anyone these days!!! When President Obama said he wanted the largest part of the bill to be on infrastructure...people cried "Sexist" because these types of mortar and brick jobs mainly support men. When Pelosi added contraceptive money to the bill to keep nurses, educators, secretaries, pharm techs employed....people cried "Pork." MAN!!!! Can't please anyone these days!!!

]]> By: Larry from Richmond http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-544146 Larry from Richmond Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:30:57 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-544146 The President states that this plan is needed to help rebuild the nation's roads and bridges. But less than 4% of the money is designated this work. This amount is only a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed. Where's the Beef? Larry The President states that this plan is needed to help rebuild the nation's roads and bridges. But less than 4% of the money is designated this work. This amount is only a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed. Where's the Beef?

Larry

]]> By: jarrod http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-543256 jarrod Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:49:30 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-543256 the point that daniel was trying make and I agree with that in the long run $1.00 is worth more than giving millions to corporations that spend money unwisely we have seen it, we have been angered by it, and were living through it, the question is are you willing to give your tax dollars to banks and corporations that want to buy jets, redecorate offices, continue to drive, live, eat in fancy restarants with bailout money while the rest of america are struggling to keep their homes so arachnae your monetary statistics are as worthless as the bailout has been to america. the point that daniel was trying make and I agree with that in the long run $1.00 is worth more than giving millions to corporations that spend money unwisely we have seen it, we have been angered by it, and were living through it, the question is are you willing to give your tax dollars to banks and corporations that want to buy jets, redecorate offices, continue to drive, live, eat in fancy restarants with bailout money while the rest of america are struggling to keep their homes so arachnae your monetary statistics are as worthless as the bailout has been to america.

]]> By: Eugenia - San Francisco http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-543218 Eugenia - San Francisco Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:34:47 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-543218 I hope this doesn't sound terrible but I love this article. I have heard of Engineers in my area that refuse to go over the Richmond or Bay Bridges, if that is not a wake up call I don't know what is. The History Channel has showed Engineers stating that California's levees are the next Katrina. Fernley, Nevada's levee systems has failed twice in 14 years completely wiping out people's homes. My Uncle retired from Cal-Trans and every project that man worked on there was a pride and still remains. I hope this doesn't sound terrible but I love this article. I have heard of Engineers in my area that refuse to go over the Richmond or Bay Bridges, if that is not a wake up call I don't know what is. The History Channel has showed Engineers stating that California's levees are the next Katrina. Fernley, Nevada's levee systems has failed twice in 14 years completely wiping out people's homes. My Uncle retired from Cal-Trans and every project that man worked on there was a pride and still remains.

]]> By: EB http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-543156 EB Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:57:57 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-543156 Yes, the avarice in our infrastructure is a travesty of american government (and to some extent, us) for at least 40 years now. No planning, or looks, at the future of whatever they had built or would build. From the lack of oversight to the lack of vision, we now have what remains, it needs help, and many systems need to be re-built by this generation of american workers. Anything is better than nothing right now, even if the impact turns out to be less than planned. I agree there is a lot of unnecessary projects, as reasonable time wasn't really alloted for the analysis. I really hope that the senate will stitch together something that has a better cost/benefit ratio, and that Pres. Obama follows-thru in his statement to use "independent experts" to dig futher into the details and adjust the plan accordingly. There has to be countless areas for project integration and costing efficiences in a package this size... Yes, the avarice in our infrastructure is a travesty of american government (and to some extent, us) for at least 40 years now. No planning, or looks, at the future of whatever they had built or would build. From the lack of oversight to the lack of vision, we now have what remains, it needs help, and many systems need to be re-built by this generation of american workers. Anything is better than nothing right now, even if the impact turns out to be less than planned.

I agree there is a lot of unnecessary projects, as reasonable time wasn't really alloted for the analysis. I really hope that the senate will stitch together something that has a better cost/benefit ratio, and that Pres. Obama follows-thru in his statement to use "independent experts" to dig futher into the details and adjust the plan accordingly.

There has to be countless areas for project integration and costing efficiences in a package this size...

]]> By: Timothy Gibson http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-543144 Timothy Gibson Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:52:33 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-543144 Our infrastructure has long been ignored as has our bleeding of companies looking to foreign nations to build their own personal wealth. While it may be valid that this is an issue we must address, as well, it must be addressed that the work in all forms goes to citizens of this country who are legal to work here, not on work visa's, but American nationals. While work in any form at this point would boost an individuals ability to survive, spending of any money that goes to foreign nations does not boost our economy and that is a part of our infrastructure that seems to be ignored. Would a stimilus package spent at Wal-Mart boost any economy other than that of China. It is time to not only address the infrastructure, but to go back to the days of buy American, build American, be American and make no excuses for it. Our infrastructure has long been ignored as has our bleeding of companies looking to foreign nations to build their own personal wealth. While it may be valid that this is an issue we must address, as well, it must be addressed that the work in all forms goes to citizens of this country who are legal to work here, not on work visa's, but American nationals. While work in any form at this point would boost an individuals ability to survive, spending of any money that goes to foreign nations does not boost our economy and that is a part of our infrastructure that seems to be ignored. Would a stimilus package spent at Wal-Mart boost any economy other than that of China. It is time to not only address the infrastructure, but to go back to the days of buy American, build American, be American and make no excuses for it.

]]> By: Flo, Denver http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-543025 Flo, Denver Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:57:02 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-543025 This may not sound as if it is related to this country's infrastructure but it is. In our parents and grandparents generation we produced our own steel, our own bricks, our own cement and so on. Most of all, we produced some of the best workers in the world. Workers who "went fishing" to help fellow workers keep a job or get better benefits, knowing it could be us needing the "fishing day" next. These days we just cross picket lines to get a job and to heck with our neighbor. When our neighbor finally gets another job they carry that "to heck with you" attitude with them. Down the road that also produces a "so what" attitude toward our finished products. So until we take some lessons from our parents and grandparents again we will continue on a downward slide, and it will get a whole lot worse before it gets any better. This country needs to return to the days when we realized we were all in this together. Until we do that we won't really improve our infrastructure or anything else for that matter. Don't blame Congress, and don't even blame the President. We can only blame ourselves and the type of representatives we are producing with our own actions and our own attitudes. This may not sound as if it is related to this country's infrastructure but it is.

In our parents and grandparents generation we produced our own steel, our own bricks, our own cement and so on. Most of all, we produced some of the best workers in the world. Workers who "went fishing" to help fellow workers keep a job or get better benefits, knowing it could be us needing the "fishing day" next. These days we just cross picket lines to get a job and to heck with our neighbor. When our neighbor finally gets another job they carry that "to heck with you" attitude with them. Down the road that also produces a "so what" attitude toward our finished products. So until we take some lessons from our parents and grandparents again we will continue on a downward slide, and it will get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.

This country needs to return to the days when we realized we were all in this together. Until we do that we won't really improve our infrastructure or anything else for that matter. Don't blame Congress, and don't even blame the President. We can only blame ourselves and the type of representatives we are producing with our own actions and our own attitudes.

]]> By: Arachnae http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-542929 Arachnae Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:21:00 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-542929 Daniel says: "Time to fix the problem not the blame. The US census Bureau estimates the population of the US at 305 million people. That is Adults, children, politicians, CEO’s , everyone in the US. Simple solution to the financial crisis. Spend 305 million. NOT 300 Billion right now. Give every single US citizen (who filed income taxes) 1 million dollars tax free." Math skills please. If you have 305 million people and want to spend 305 million dollars, each person gets ONE dollar. ONE, not a million. If you give 305 million people a million each, you will have to spend 3 QUADRILLION dollars; that's three thousand trillion. For the record, the US economy is currently about 13-14 trillion a year. The current stimulus package being proposed works out to about $3000 per person in the US - most people carry more debt than that on their credit cards. Daniel says: "Time to fix the problem not the blame. The US census Bureau estimates the population of the US at 305 million people. That is Adults, children, politicians, CEO’s , everyone in the US.

Simple solution to the financial crisis. Spend 305 million. NOT 300 Billion right now. Give every single US citizen (who filed income taxes) 1 million dollars tax free."

Math skills please. If you have 305 million people and want to spend 305 million dollars, each person gets ONE dollar. ONE, not a million. If you give 305 million people a million each, you will have to spend 3 QUADRILLION dollars; that's three thousand trillion.

For the record, the US economy is currently about 13-14 trillion a year.

The current stimulus package being proposed works out to about $3000 per person in the US – most people carry more debt than that on their credit cards.

]]> By: Gary Woehler http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-542928 Gary Woehler Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:20:52 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-542928 Why not spend the billions on purchasing USA made products from small businesses that had to lay off workers? Ship them to China Etc., sell them for half price, take that money and buy more USA goods!! The infusion of money will have an immediate effect! Days, not months! Don't worry about "Dumping", China never did! Why not spend the billions on purchasing USA made products from small businesses that had to lay off workers? Ship them to China Etc., sell them for half price, take that money and buy more USA goods!!
The infusion of money will have an immediate effect!
Days, not months!
Don't worry about "Dumping", China never did!

]]> By: jarrod http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/america%e2%80%99s-infrastructure-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-542845 jarrod Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:55:18 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=24583#comment-542845 i like daniel mcdowell idea on giving 1 million, but i would only extend that to anyone over eighteen that filed an income tax return and i would also give only 500,000 to each individual so if you married you would get the 1 million and would not discriminate against gays,single parents with liv- in boyfriend, girlfriend then people would then be able to pay off their homes instead giving banks all this money to pick and chose who gets to keep their homes therfore they will get their money back and people will not be living tents underbridges, shelters and so on. People are not going stop borrowing money we are in a got to have society and the that handle thier 500,000 properly would be the heroes of this great country that is failing at an enormous rate. i like daniel mcdowell idea on giving 1 million, but i would only extend that to anyone over eighteen that filed an income tax return and i would also give only 500,000 to each individual so if you married you would get the 1 million and would not discriminate against gays,single parents with liv- in boyfriend, girlfriend then people would then be able to pay off their homes instead giving banks all this money to pick and chose who gets to keep their homes therfore they will get their money back and people will not be living tents underbridges, shelters and so on. People are not going stop borrowing money we are in a got to have society and the that handle thier 500,000 properly would be the heroes of this great country that is failing at an enormous rate.

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