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re: America's Infrastructure Report Card: G.P.A. = D+
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:10 am to UGATiger26
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:10 am to UGATiger26
quote:
Here's a good question.
How the F do we spend trillions every year, but not have enough to repair and rebuild infrastructure?
If THAT doesn't tell you how F'ed up our governance is, I don't know what will.
Bang up job on that stimulus bill. How much is that one running us? $900 billion?
Politicians. THat's just a simple answer.
Don't know about Georgia, but in Louisiana, the DOTD gets fricked left and right. The state police refers to the DOTD as their "bitch" because they can request the state give them more operating money and the state will pull it from DOTD(usually) before anywhere else.
The first go to for the state for extra funds is the DOTD budget.
Hell, the bridge department just got their budget reduced by 100 million a year for the next 5 years voluntarily by the Secretary because it looks better on paper to use all fed funds you ask for instead of having some you have to turn down because you can't match it.
So, instead of a budget of 160 million, they have to operate with 60 million dollars for the next five years. A third of what they would normally have.
To curry favor. That's the problem.
ETA: I don't see the ASCE as trying to get more money from the govt, but trying to get the govt to quit taking the money that is supposed to be earmarked for infrastructure and re-routing it.
This post was edited on 7/31/14 at 10:11 am
1
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:18 am to magildachunks
We spent all the $$ that could've been used on roads building a couple of democracies overseas.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:29 am to mmcgrath
quote:No, and you're ignorant. Private industries don't do things "out of the goodness of their hearts", they do things based on rational self-interest - like collecting tolls to make a profit.
Do you really believe that private industries would spring up and pay for roads out of the goodness of their hearts?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:33 am to magildachunks
They labeled drinking water and energy a D. That tells me how bullshite this us. We have the safest drinking water in the world and one of the best electronic grids
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:33 am to LSUnKaty
quote:
No, and you're ignorant. Private industries don't do things "out of the goodness of their hearts", they do things based on rational self-interest - like collecting tolls to make a profit.
That's great for bridges or by passes, but for the entire infrastructure? You need the govt for that.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:34 am to magildachunks
How to fix our Infrastructure:
Step 1: Take it out of the fed gov hands. The lower the level of gov involved the better.
Step 2: Have each state come up with a plan on what needs to be fixed, when it needs to be fixed (now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now). I think Louisiana is in the process of doing that now with its "Mega-Projects" Plan
Step 3: Each state adjust its budget to pay for it
Step 4: If any project can be privatized then privatize (i.e Baton Rouge Loop).
Step 1: Take it out of the fed gov hands. The lower the level of gov involved the better.
Step 2: Have each state come up with a plan on what needs to be fixed, when it needs to be fixed (now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now). I think Louisiana is in the process of doing that now with its "Mega-Projects" Plan
Step 3: Each state adjust its budget to pay for it
Step 4: If any project can be privatized then privatize (i.e Baton Rouge Loop).
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:39 am to magildachunks
quote:Why?
You need the govt for that.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:41 am to deltaland
quote:
They labeled drinking water and energy a D. That tells me how bullshite this us. We have the safest drinking water in the world and one of the best electronic grids
SHould have read why.
Water distribution. It is time for the water mains and lines to be replaced as they are nearing the end of their useful life. Nothing to do with the quality.
quote:
At the dawn of the 21st century, much of our drinking water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life. There are an estimated 240,000 water main breaks per year in the United States. Assuming every pipe would need to be replaced, the cost over the coming decades could reach more than $1 trillion, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The quality of drinking water in the United States remains universally high, however. Even though pipes and mains are frequently more than 100 years old and in need of replacement, outbreaks of disease attributable to drinking water are rare.
Energy is the same. Some of the lines and systems being used were designed in the 1880s. They need to be replaced.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:46 am to deltaland
quote:Ever tried to drive in Europe? Off the major roads? The idea that our infrastructure is so turrible is laughable.
They labeled drinking water and energy a D. That tells me how bullshite this us. We have the safest drinking water in the world and one of the best electronic grids
That's why this "report" has no credibility, and opens the door to suspicion of self-serving motivations.
Happens every year.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:47 am to magildachunks
quote:
Levees = D-
well the good news they are in the process of raising and the mississippi river levee. They are also fixing the sand boils that they found during the '11 flood.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:49 am to magildachunks
quote:
SHould have read why.
Water distribution. It is time for the water mains and lines to be replaced as they are nearing the end of their useful life. Nothing to do with the quality.
quote:
At the dawn of the 21st century, much of our drinking water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life. There are an estimated 240,000 water main breaks per year in the United States. Assuming every pipe would need to be replaced, the cost over the coming decades could reach more than $1 trillion, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The quality of drinking water in the United States remains universally high, however. Even though pipes and mains are frequently more than 100 years old and in need of replacement, outbreaks of disease attributable to drinking water are rare.
so do you want the feds to fix it or the local gov or the water companies?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:50 am to TejasHorn
quote:
We spent all the $$ that could've been used on roads building a couple of democracies overseas.
we'll spend just as much importing and sustaining the lower class needed to ensure we always have a welfare state population in control of govt. and that also won't include any infrastructure maintenance.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:51 am to magildachunks
At least we got a B in getting rid of our shite.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:52 am to WeeWee
quote:
so do you want the feds to fix it or the local gov or the water companies?
That one could be local govt.
Interstates should be feds. State govts should do state highways.
The point is, we need to start directing more funds towards infrastructure now, no matter where it comes from.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:53 am to Taxing Authority
quote:
Ever tried to drive in Europe?
What does Europe have to do with this?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 10:56 am to magildachunks
quote:Grading on a curve of the rest of the world makes it obvious this "report" is overly hysterical.
What does Europe have to do with this?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 11:01 am to magildachunks
quote:
It is time for the water mains and lines to be replaced as they are nearing the end of their useful life. Nothing to do with the quality.
do you buy a new car just to have that new car smell? This post was edited on 7/31/14 at 11:03 am
Posted on 7/31/14 at 11:04 am to magildachunks
quote:
By pulling the troops out of a warzone and cutting military costs, along with other costs, we could begin a nationwide program that would employ thousands, if not millions.
So, unprecedented amounts of government spending leads to shitty infrastructure report and your solution is more spending? How about, hold people in government accountable. NO need to create another public sector that tax money will be shoved into, to simply watch that fail too.
Magilda, name me 1 program in the government that performs well and efficiently?
Look at your latest liberal wet dream. Obamacare. That is the most recent federal acquisition that has become a complete and utter failure.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 11:04 am to magildachunks
quote:
The point is, we need to start directing more funds towards infrastructure now, no matter where it comes from.
quote:
That one could be local govt.
I prefer the local gov hire out a private company but that is for each local gov to decide.
quote:
Interstates should be feds.
hell no, get the feds out off it. That is the problem it takes an act of congress to get anything done. Let each state take care of its own section of interstate.
quote:
State govts should do state highways.
they do. As far as La is concerned I think we do need to raise the fuel tax but only after the state has a plan on what to fix, how to fix it and when to fix it and all other options to pay for it have been exhausted.
quote:
The point is, we need to start directing more funds towards infrastructure now, no matter where it comes from.
no we need to use our infastructur funds more wisely. Imagine if the stimulus would have actually gone to fixing our infastructure instead of the bs shite that alot of it went to. I remember that the Ms River bridge in Natchez got a multimillion dollar lighting system so it would look better. It has nothing to do with safety because when a barge approaches it gets turned off so not the blind the barge and it already had aircraft warning lights on it. LINK
As far as local gov fixing the water system. One of the small towns close to where I grew up got a $5 million grant to fix its water system the first thing the mayor did was hire his brother as a consult on how to "manage" the grant. His salary is $50K/yr to "manage" the $$$. The local private water company for the parish got a smaller grant for a larger system and they are already starting to fix their system, the city now says the grant was not enough and needs more money.
ETA: spending money without a plan is how we got into this mess in the first place.
This post was edited on 7/31/14 at 11:07 am
Posted on 7/31/14 at 11:05 am to magildachunks
frick off is what we should do.
LETS SPEND MORE GODDAMNED MONEY!
LETS SPEND MORE GODDAMNED MONEY!
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