Robert Reich: Why This is Exactly the Time to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure

[pampango]

http://robertreich.org/post/10677190938

Seems like only yesterday conservative nabobs of negativity predicted America’s ballooning budget deficit would generate soaring inflation and crippling costs of additional federal borrowing. Last week ten-year yields on U.S. Treasuries closed at 1.83 percent. In other words, they were wrong.

Unemployment in America remains sky-high. 14 million Americans are out of work and 25 million are looking for full-time jobs.

The nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. Our roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, subways, gas pipelines, ports, airports, and school buildings are desperately in need of repair. Deferred maintenance is taking a huge toll.

Now connect the dots. Anyone with half a brain will see this is the ideal time to borrow money from the rest of the world to put Americans to work rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure. Problem is, too many in Washington have less than half a brain.

[dkf]

1. No one takes peak oil seriously do they?

Now that is the huge opportunity lost. The other stuff will get repaired simply because it needs to be. Transitioning to renewable energy and avoiding a lot of pain is too visionary it seems.

[FarCenter]

3. The key is to build new infrastructure, not rebuild old infrastructure

Alternative energy is partly the answer.

But so is walkable, high-density communities, electric light rail for commuting, intercity short-haul electric rail for travel, and new low-energy consumption infrastructure generally.

Outdoor lighting should either be turned off or replaced by energy-efficient lighting.

New housing to passive haus standards should be built, with more emphasis on multi-family dwellings.

[dkf]

4. None of which we see proposed.

You have more vision in your little pinky than our leaders.

[Enthusiast]

2. Kicked and recommended! nt