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US80 - Transportation Opportunities for Working Americans
| Create a high speed rail system across the country and rejuvenate existing roads and bridges and subways | |
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Description
The transportation systems in this country need attention. Let's create a High Speed Rail System Across the Country and improve our existing roads, bridges and subways. We can put Americans back to work using taxpayer dollars. Let's show our patriotism by keeping our tax dollars here instead of sending our wealth overseas.
Arguments
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) notes that our transportation infrastructure could significantly benefit from an additional $94 billion/yr worth of repairs, upgrades or replacements. In its July 2011 report, ASCE estimated that bad transportation infrastructure costs businesses and households ~$130 billion per year: $32bn in travel delays, $97bn in vehicle costs, $1.2bn in safety costs, and $590mm in environmental costs. The ASCE estimated that for $94 billion/yr we could add millions of jobs. If we delay, however, the future is not bright:
“In 2040, America’s projected infrastructure deficiencies in a trends extended scenario are expected to cost the national economy more than 400,000 jobs. Approximately 1.3 million more jobs could exist in key knowledge-based and technology-related economic sectors if sufficient transportation infrastructure were maintained. These losses are balanced against almost 900,000 additional jobs projected in traditionally lower-paying service sectors of the economy that would benefit by deficient transportation (such as auto repair services) or by declining productivity in domestic service related sectors (such as truck driving and retail trade). If present trends continue, by 2020 the annual costs imposed on the U.S. economy by deteriorating infrastructure will increase by 82% to $210 billion, and by 2040 the costs will have increased by 351% to $520 billion.”
Borrowing costs are at their lowest in decades. The national debt is a problem, but much of America’s infrastructure dates from the last time borrowing costs were historically low: The Great Depression. Furthermore, if your roof is leaking and your home is falling apart, you need to repair it or you will pay far more in the future. We need to take advantage of ultra-low rates and invest to support high-paying jobs for ourselves and our children.
Source: jackieforcongress.com
A vibrant transportation infrastructure promotes and sustains economic growth which in turn creates jobs and supports local business. I will continue to work to fund public transportation initiatives that help ease congestion, cut air pollution and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I have been a champion for expanding public investment in mass transit, including Metro, MARC and Amtrak. We also must keep Marylanders safe by prioritizing the repair of existing transportation infrastructure, including highways and bridges. I was proud to secure over $100 million in federal funds for road and transit upgrades for communities straining to absorb up to 60,000 new jobs due to BRAC.
Source: bencardin.com
I visited China this past year and was impressed by the public transportation in the subways of Beijing and Shanghai.
They also have a high speed line.
Congress hasn’t passed a long-term highway bill since 2009. We spent over $80 billion rebuilding Afghanistan while America’s infrastructure crumbles. Let’s bring the parties together to pass legislation that put millions of Americans back to work, repairing and upgrading roads and bridges.
Source: votescotthowell.com
Upgrading our roads, bridges, airports, dams, trains and transit systems not only directly creates jobs but is also the key to economic development and future growth.
Source: shelleyberkley.com
We need to gives businesses a 21st century infrastructure by updating old roads and bridges, while building new rail lines to increase mobility.
Source: carperfordelaware.com
Source: carperfordelaware.com
Counterarguments
It's rather impractical given the size of America and how not densely populated many of the areas are. It may work in cities (but they already have public transit lines) but in rural areas, it's next to useless. And much of America, particularly in the Great Plains, is rural.
You already have train systems to connect to large cities. For areas outside of that, private transportation like cars is more essential.
This recession has forced families and businesses across America to make hard choices and limit their expenditures. We must now expect our elected officials to make the tough calls that will keep our government on a sustainable path moving forward. We must restrain spending across the board. Stop spending on the fiscal stimulus, transportation, energy, housing, and all other special interests.
Source: garyjohnson2012.com
2 Topics
Discussion
started
by JoanQPublic
on Sep 14
Improve roads and bridges
What about our crumbling infrastructure? We need to improve crumbling roads and bridges. Improving the I-5 draw bridge over the Columbia River in Portland, for instance. That bridge is nothing but a traffic snarl, particularly at rush hour.
I'm sure there are other similar problems that need to be addressed.
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| NE corridor states should contribute to a fund that will create a 21st century high speed rail system between cities More detail | |
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| Pass legislation that puts millions of Americans back to work repairing and upgrading roads and bridges More detail | |
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| Expand public investment in mass transit, including Metro, MARC and Amtrak More detail | |
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| Government hiring should be counter-cyclical to the private sector. Hire more when unemployment is high. More detail | |
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| Congress should focus spending on improving our highways, commercial rail and ports More detail | |
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| To fix aging, overused, and neglected infrastructure, use the eyes and ears of everyday users to raise needed attention More detail | |
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| We should hire 250-500k federal workers to regulate effectively and stimulate development More detail | |
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| Privatize Amtrak to save $1.6BN/yr in federal subsidies More detail | |
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last reply by Matt620 on Dec 27
Waste of Money? (2 replies)