Posted by jay on September 3, 2005, at 0:00:43 [reposted on September 3, 2005, at 8:59:11 | original URL]
OK...just a little lesson..some comments if I may. Please hear me out..as I feel very strongly about this, and have good knowledge of the topic.
(I don't mean to be patronizing...I just have some expertise in this area. I guess it could be moved to the political board, but feel comfortable with it here, visible)The levees that broke down are part of what is called a country's "infrastructure". This includes also everything from public schools to public water/ sanitary treatment...to maintenance of roads and highways..bridges...to Fire, Police Departments and all other public services and beyond. The bottom line is, and prominent economists have said this for years, is that you *cannot* go cheap on infrastructure. Infrastructure is what you could say the *bones* that bond a civil society. Think of it as an investment the same way you would buy a nice home with proper electrical outfit, plumbing, proper design building, clean and *humane* to live in.
Now, the U.S. Federal government currently in power heavily favours fiscal (spending) restraint. They feel the private sector should look after aspects of infrastructure. If there was one area I would strongly beg the right-wing and Republicans (no, I am not blaming) to change **one**...just ONE strict policy, that would be on infrastructure spending. Short changing spending now creates costly mistakes in the future, and this is evident in Louisiana. They came up with billions upon billions for Iraq, and they should be deeply investing in public infrastructure either as well, or pull out of Iraq and spend the money rebuilding America. This is regardless if you support the Iraq war or not...just a fact.
After World War II, Europe was devastated by the War. America initiated the Marshall Plan, which was, to explain in simple terms, a massive, massive cash transfusion to rebuild European countries, and in particular their infrastructure, devastated by WWII. Schools...Hospitals...Universities...Advanced Water treatment..cities...roads and highways..technology..energy/power transmission. Now, the European countries, as they still have their problems as well, today stand as some of the greatest economic forces in the world. Again. this is not *perfect*...there are still problems with unemployment and social policy, but they are still some major economic powerhouses.
If you simply focus on one issue when election time comes, ask your candidates about infrastructure building, and their views on it. Yes, there is some *red tape*...but you find that in private sector too..like all of the bank user fees..monopoly's, etc. Your tax dollar can be very deeply utilized in making schools with good teachers and high quality services..but it is *going* to cost, through taxes, no way around it. But, think of the excellent education your child gets out of it. The effects of strong public infrastructure can make the U.S. highly advanced, with immaculate high quality services and standards for all.
So, as I stated above...one, just *one* thing I would beg Republicans to do is to tone down their obsession with *tax breaks*, and invest in their country. If not, the *bones* of the country continue to fall apart, you get lower quality, MUCH lower, services including haphazard responses to *major* crisis that impact infrastructure deeply.
<phew!>
Best,
Jay
poster:jay
thread:550295
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050728/msgs/550295.html