Watching an interesting show on the history channel regarding our crumbling infrastructure.

[ejpoeta]

In general, sometimes I believe the history channel tends to be the doomsday channel in regards to some of this stuff, but I felt this show was very eye opening. The result of our inattention to infrastructure has created quite the catastrophe waiting to happen. And all I can think is how timely a good works program to rebuild and fix the crumbling infrastructure would be right now. Putting people to work it would take YEARS to fix all the crap that needs fixing. Bridges, dams, roads, sewage, water...... everything has been neglected and everything needs to be fixed. they were talking about 7 inspectors to inspect 3300 dams in one state. this is ridiculous. and then the people who want to privatize everything use the fact that we have not funded or overseen this stuff as an excuse why government doesn't work. It's frightening to think of what kind of disaster is going to have to happen to actually get someone to do something.

[malaise]

1. That was an excellent program

Just switched - will watch it again

[ejpoeta]

2. i agree. i think it did a great job of highlighting the problems with the infrastructure

and the fact that states can't handle it anymore. It also said why the infratructure is crumbling.... infrastructure and lack of funding. and i am afraid it will cost us a lot more than it would have if they would have just invested in it before. but now it's going to require rebuilding instead of just patching. and updating.... systems that were put in place a hundred or even 50 years ago are outdated as far as sewer and water are concerned. i bet there are a lot of things that could make them safer and work better. i loved how they showed the romans infrastructure helped them rule the world of their day and the roads are important if we are to continue to have commerce.

[lunatica]

3. Building the infrastructure would create jobs in the manufacturing sector too

Steel mills could even make a comeback. Certainly providing all the supplies needed for rebuilding the infrastructure could create jobs.

It's so sad to see this very obvious fix doled out so weakly. Especially in light of where the money is actually going.

[ejpoeta]

4. i imagine if this were a big part of the stimulus as it should have been

perhaps we would be in better shape. but it would only work if we used american goods and businesses.

[RKP5637]

5. Yep, I've seen it before, watching it again now. Always a WTF moment for me and

a huge wasted opportunity to stimulate the economy, jobs, manufacturing, the future, etc., etc.

Having watched the performance of the US over the past few decades, I think it will take sadly a really huge catastrophe to get things moving. We've become a pretty clueless lame society IMO. Also, as we well know, much of our wealth goes to people with little interest in the future of the country than to feed their greed.

[postulater]

6. What's the name of the show. Maybe I can catch it on rerun.

[ejpoeta]

10. it's called 'the crumbling of america'

[postulater]

11. Thanks.

[postulater]

7. The new Wisconsin governor Walker wants the $800 million

allocated for high speed rail to go for infrastructure repairs instead.

He's a Republican.

[defendandprotect]

8. K&R -- this has been going on for decades....GOP's/Third world America ... !!!

[Mika]

9. But the top 2% got HUGE tax cuts.

That's what counts. :crazy: