Yesterday, President Barack Obama announced a $50 billion investment in the nation's transportation infrastructure with an infrastructure investment bank to come to support future investments. There is much of value to this program, from the very simple reality that there is a huge back-log of investment requirements to repair the nation's infrastructure (let alone bring it to the 21st century) to the nearer term value of providing employment to people across the country. Our roads are in lousy condition with too large a number of dangerous bridges. Our airports can be better. Our rail system is a shadow of what it could and should be. In other words, at least on first glance, needed investment with shorter and longer term benefits.
One small item, however, set the alarm bells ringing:
ROADS: Rebuild 150,000 miles of roads – renewing our commitment to the backbone of our transportation system;
Take a look at this. The first item is focused on our road network with a dedication to "renewing our commitment to the backbone of our transportation system."
Considering the damage that our addiction to oil does our economy, health, security, environment, etc ..., should we "renewing our commitment"?
continued at Daily Kos....
