Finding a way to pay the way

Of all the remaining presidential candidates, Barack Obama is the only one who even budgets a number for stepped up infrastructure investment. He calls for a timid $60 billion infusion. The Feds, states and cities combined spent about $140 billion on infrastructure in 2007. But a national commission report released in January states the country really needs to spend $225 billion annually on transport related projects for roads, rails, ports and airports. That doesn’t include dealing with the country’s aging levees (remember Katrina), crumbling dams, and questionable power grid (Tuesday’s Florida blackout). Back in 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers calculated the country had to spend $1.6 trillion to refurbish its infrastructure in the five years leading to 2010.  Any way you look at, the USA isn’t spending enough and must find a way to finance, build, and pay for new and improved infrastructure or face greater congestion, more pollution and new tragedy. How soon we all conveniently forget Minneapolis. 

Facing recession, higher unemployment rates, increasing gasoline prices, lower home values and rising pricetags for food and clothes, Americans balk at the idea of new user fees, toll hikes, and more taxes.  But we continue to want to buy big cars to drive to our big new houses all the way at the suburban fringe if need be. Oh, and don’t forget the flat screen TV we need to purchase for that new house.