Let's Discuss America's Infrastructure

 
Alternative Facts
| Mythic Forum Ninja
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: IcyWind
IP: Logged

9,381 posts
 
Gonna leave it open ended on this topic since I'm curious to see the stance on it.


Essentially, discuss whether or not you think America has an infrastructure problem. If you feel it does, discuss why we do and what needs to be done to fix it. If you feel it doesn't, why do you believe people say we do?



PSU | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: PSU
IP: Logged

6,089 posts
 
It does. We are pretty fucked with the amount of money it's gonna take to repair all roads and bridges that need fixing.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear about more bridge collapses like we saw in Minnesota a few years back.


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
America should have crappy infrastructure.

Development costs are insane compared to other developed countries. You can have cheaper infrastructure, but only if you're willing to slim down unions, cut environmental legislation and roll-back entitlements.

Also, I favour incentivising the private sector to contribute.


King pesto | Ascended Posting Frenzy
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Sargon of Akkad
IP: Logged

382 posts
 
I think we should try privatising infrastructure in some areas. Just as a test. I see a bright future in privatised roads and bridges.


 
Alternative Facts
| Mythic Forum Ninja
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: IcyWind
IP: Logged

9,381 posts
 
I think we should try privatising infrastructure in some areas. Just as a test. I see a bright future in privatised roads and bridges.

You don't see the possibility for corruption?


King pesto | Ascended Posting Frenzy
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Sargon of Akkad
IP: Logged

382 posts
 
I think we should try privatising infrastructure in some areas. Just as a test. I see a bright future in privatised roads and bridges.

You don't see the possibility for corruption?
I don't see how private corruption is nearly the threat that government corruption is.

Can you elaborate?


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
You don't see the possibility for corruption?
How is private competition more susceptible to government control?


Naoto | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Naoto
IP: Logged

3,753 posts
{zzz}°°°( -_-)>c[_]
America should have crappy infrastructure.

Development costs are insane compared to other developed countries. You can have cheaper infrastructure, but only if you're willing to slim down unions, cut environmental legislation and roll-back entitlements.

Also, I favour incentivising the private sector to contribute.
>slim down unions
>cut environmental legislation
>roll back entitlements

I can tell you don't live here.


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
I can tell you don't live here.
. . . Okay? I don't see what that has to do with anything.



Azumarill | Mythic Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Azumarill
IP: Logged

7,654 posts
 
The national infrastructure is very shoddy on the whole. Newer communities tend to have better urban planning but the rough reality of the population booms in the 1920s/1950s and all the economic trends that came alongside is that the urban sprawl outpaced the bureaucracy's ability to properly keep up.

I'd be willing to try privatization in some areas to at least figure out a better way to do roads. Can't be any more incompetent than the government, and we could put fail-safes for accountability in place


Naoto | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Naoto
IP: Logged

3,753 posts
{zzz}°°°( -_-)>c[_]
I can tell you don't live here.
. . . Okay? I don't see what that has to do with anything.
Unions in this country are nearly nonexistent, and outside a select few have little to no power. Anyone saying unions need to be cut for infrastructure doesn't understand America very well, or is a fox news pundit.

Environmental legislation might be the one area we're slightly decent in (if you ignore the carbon foot print) since national parks are generally well protected, and after what BP did to the Gulf most people are wary. Even then there's a constant effort to defund and deregulate environmental protections. Which would obviously be a bad thing...for you know the environment.

As far as entitlements conservatives are already trying to privatize Social Security and Medicare. Most unemployment benefits come with a list of stipulations you must meet. Don't get me started on healthcare. Compared to the rest of the modern world this is an area we lag behind in drastically. America is hardly the land of entitlements and again outside fox news I don't think you'll find any one thinking otherwise.

So really you're just listing conservative talking points that don't hold up to reality. Suggesting we should defund all the stuff that is already practically gutted, while taxes are the lowest they've been in generations (and tax reform has been desperately needed for years), just comes off as rather silly...imo.
Last Edit: May 13, 2015, 01:06:38 PM by Naoto


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
Unions in this country are nearly nonexistent
. . . Okay. That doesn't change the fact that most strikes take place in the construction sector and that the cost of construction is incredibly high due to consultancy and labour fees.

Quote
Anyone saying unions need to be cut for infrastructure doesn't understand America very well, or is a fox news pundit.
Or, y'know, understands economics.

Quote
Which would obviously be a bad thing...for you know the environment.
I don't remember disagreeing with that.

Quote
As far as entitlements conservatives are already trying to privatize Social Security and Medicare.
Yes, because Bush didn't get shafted by the AARP in 2005 and then go on to expand them by 51pc and 131pc respectively. I also don't see how this is relevant. . . People trying to privatise it doesn't mean it's privatised. . . Duh. And Obamacare totally didn't raise the Medicaid boundary to 131pc of the poverty line and totally shaft states like Alabama and Arkansas who were trying to slim down their rolls.

Quote
Don't get me started on healthcare. Compared to the rest of the modern world this is an area we lag behind in drastically.
Partly as a result of excessive regulation and ridiculous tax deductions; but I don't know what this has to do with entitlements.

Quote
America is hardly the land of entitlements
Yeah, it kind of is. The vested interests of entitlement programmes have blocked any kind of substantial reform every time it's been tried in recent history. Hong Kong, for instance, has a mandatory retirement savings programme along with the best infrastructure in the world.

I didn't even say that America had too many entitlements, I said that the current state of entitlement spending (including pensions) is retarding infrastructural development. That's a statement of fact, not of values. So I don't know why you're assuming this proposition is "People have too much welfare". . . Because I didn't say that.

Quote
So really you're just listing conservative talking points that don't hold up to reality.
Ha, no I'm not. You're shoehorning in your biases by thinking me saying "This would allow for the construction of more infrastructure" is me actually saying "We should do all of this

Quote
Suggesting we should defund all the stuff that is already practically gutted
What? No, it isn't. The fact that structural issues cause massive funding deficits is not them being "gutted", it's them being inefficient.

Last Edit: May 13, 2015, 01:25:03 PM by Meta Cognition


Mattie G Indahouse | Mythic Inconceivable!
 
more |
XBL: BerzerkCommando
PSN: BerzerkCommando
Steam: BerzerkCommando
ID: BerzerkCommando
IP: Logged

9,047 posts
Did he say glass of juice or gas the Jews?
👶🏽:h..

👨🏽:honey, he's gonna say his first words

👩🏽:!!

👶🏽:hhh...

👶🏽:here come dat boi 🐸!

👨🏽:o shit waddup 😂💯

👩🏽:💔
It's shit.
We have thousands of bridges ready to collapses.

Our road systems are shit and filled with holes. When it rains the water just pools on the roads. Roaming roads on the other hand are built where the water drains off the road due to them being angled. 

We are way to dependent on semi trucks. We should be more train based due to them being able to hull far larger loads and will reduce traffic. The other thing about trains is that they are great for public transposition which is something we hardly do.

Our power grid is complete shit. If it was up to date the amount of power outages would be reduced.

We are way too dependent on fossil fuels. Instead of using nuclear energy which is safer and far cleaner we are using dirty and dangerous coal and gas. For some odd reason we are avoiding nuclear power which would be more effective and practical. Outside powering building they would be great for larger vehicles like trains and cargo ships.

Instead of updating and fixing our infrastructure we are wasting it on a far unnecessary military budget. Instead of using that budget to fix up bridges and the power grid which would create jobs and would be far more useful. We are buying vehicles that are just sitting there waiting for piss poor North Korea do make a move.   



Mattie G Indahouse | Mythic Inconceivable!
 
more |
XBL: BerzerkCommando
PSN: BerzerkCommando
Steam: BerzerkCommando
ID: BerzerkCommando
IP: Logged

9,047 posts
Did he say glass of juice or gas the Jews?
👶🏽:h..

👨🏽:honey, he's gonna say his first words

👩🏽:!!

👶🏽:hhh...

👶🏽:here come dat boi 🐸!

👨🏽:o shit waddup 😂💯

👩🏽:💔
Development costs are insane compared to other developed countries. You can have cheaper infrastructure, but only if you're willing to slim down unions, cut environmental legislation and roll-back entitlements.
Or we could just cut the highly unnecessary military budget and use that for far better things like fixing up our infrastructure and education. We need a better power grid  than jets and tanks that are just sitting there. We can go by for years on the tech we have for it since our only threat is North Korea and I highly doubt they're going to hurt us.
Last Edit: May 13, 2015, 06:26:21 PM by BerzerkCommando


King pesto | Ascended Posting Frenzy
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Sargon of Akkad
IP: Logged

382 posts
 
Hurr dee hurr de he durrrr muh warmongers overspending draining the economy for dumb tanks and bombs.


American hegemony and force projection are part of why this country is as powerful and successful as it is. You don't remain the leading player in geopolitics without maintaining a military edge.

Do I think it's right? No, I don't think any state is right. I don't think militaries are moral or ethical. I don't think institutions whose authority is based solely on their ability to apply lethal force should exist at all.

However, that is the reality of the world we live in right now, and will likely remain the reality long after we're dead. Given what we've got, I'm very glad it's the US wielding the biggest stick, and not China or Russia. I'm not very keen on seeing either of them climb to the top of the pile, and I would think you'd feel the same way.


 
DAS B00T x2
| Cultural Appropriator
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: DAS B00T x2
IP: Logged

37,627 posts
This is not the greatest sig in the world, no. This is just a tribute.
This state has a huge road problem, and unions overpowering PenDOT is a huge problem within that huge problem.


Nick McIntyre | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL: Nick McIntyre92
PSN: NicholasMcIntyre
Steam: Nick McIntyre
ID: Nick McIntyre
IP: Logged

3,143 posts
 
Come to Oregon.  We work on our roads and bridges at least 2-3 times a month, and they look fabulous


Saleem | Heroic Unstoppable!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Saleem
IP: Logged

2,483 posts
Sigs fo nigs
I haven't noticed any issues if there are any in Montana. Being as this is a low population state that is mostly flat plains. Bridges are few and far between and the tallest structures in my town are just water towers. Certainly an issue elsewhere. I general associate poor infrastructure with large cities like Chicago and Detroit.


Not Comms Officer | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: CAESAR JIHADIVS
ID: CAESAR JIHADIVS
IP: Logged

4,725 posts
Khilafah420
I think they did a pretty good job on it saying how much infrastructure they have to maintain throughout the country.


 
Luciana
| Mythic Forum Ninja
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Luciana
IP: Logged

13,232 posts
 
America should have crappy infrastructure.
And this kids is why idiots are dangerous

Are you sure you're not American?
Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 11:21:18 PM by Luciana


Not Comms Officer | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: CAESAR JIHADIVS
ID: CAESAR JIHADIVS
IP: Logged

4,725 posts
Khilafah420
America should have crappy infrastructure.

Development costs are insane compared to other developed countries. You can have cheaper infrastructure, but only if you're willing to slim down unions, cut environmental legislation and roll-back entitlements.

Also, I favour incentivising the private sector to contribute.
lolwut?

Have you ever been to the US before? The country would enter an economic crisis if the infrastructure went to shit. So many trucks and trains transporting goods all over the country at once. Unless you want the US to be like the Soviet Union where all the food rotted before it got to its destination.


Not Comms Officer | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: CAESAR JIHADIVS
ID: CAESAR JIHADIVS
IP: Logged

4,725 posts
Khilafah420
America should have crappy infrastructure.
And this kids is why idiots are dangerous

Are you sure you're not American?
Meta's a Britbonger.


 
Luciana
| Mythic Forum Ninja
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam:
ID: Luciana
IP: Logged

13,232 posts
 
And to think I actually love some of you Britbongs

I'm lucky to be around the good ones :^)


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
America should have crappy infrastructure.
And this kids is why idiots are dangerous
I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's a statement of fact, not of value. Which you really should've gleaned from the rest of the post. The point is that America's crappy infrastructure is not an anomaly; it should be that way because of inflated construction costs.

It would be weird if infrastructure were good.


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
The country would enter an economic crisis if the infrastructure went to shit.
It should have crappy infrastructure because of high construction costs. Which is why I then went on to say methods of slimming down such costs would allow for the improvement of infrastructure.

I'm not making a moral statement about what the quality of US infrastructure ought to be.


Not Comms Officer | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: CAESAR JIHADIVS
ID: CAESAR JIHADIVS
IP: Logged

4,725 posts
Khilafah420
The country would enter an economic crisis if the infrastructure went to shit.
It should have crappy infrastructure because of high construction costs. Which is why I then went on to say methods of slimming down such costs would allow for the improvement of infrastructure.

I'm not making a moral statement about what the quality of US infrastructure ought to be.
Well, most of the infrastructure in terms of highways and railroads in the US has now switched to maintenance rather than construction.


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
Well, most of the infrastructure in terms of highways and railroads in the US has now switched to maintenance rather than construction.
Even so, infrastructure can only survive for so long.

Plus, I think wages and unionisation among construction workers is the same for maintenance workers since a lot of the former are employed for the latter.


Not Comms Officer | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: CAESAR JIHADIVS
ID: CAESAR JIHADIVS
IP: Logged

4,725 posts
Khilafah420
Well, most of the infrastructure in terms of highways and railroads in the US has now switched to maintenance rather than construction.
Even so, infrastructure can only survive for so long.

Plus, I think wages and unionisation among construction workers is the same for maintenance workers since a lot of the former are employed for the latter.
I'm not really sure what you want to do here. So should the US continue maintenance on highways/railroads, let them become more decrepit yet usable, or just shut them down period?


 
More Than Mortal
| d-d-d-DANK ✡ 🔥🔥🔥 🌈
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: MetaCognition
ID: Meta Cognition
IP: Logged

15,060 posts
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
I'm not really sure what you want to do here. So should the US continue maintenance on highways/railroads, let them become more decrepit yet usable, or just shut them down period?
I don't have any strong opinions, to be honest. If you're willing to hamstring the labour unions of these construction workers and completely overhaul the welfare system you could probably have infrastructure on par with Hong Kong.

That's what I favour, from a hypothetical point of view, but if you're looking for a realistic answer I don't have it. If the whole of the US were to become like Texas in the slimming down of unions, maybe some environmental regulations and entitlements then you could see a nationwide improvement in quality without the fairly radical policies I'd otherwise desire.


Not Comms Officer | Legendary Invincible!
 
more |
XBL:
PSN:
Steam: CAESAR JIHADIVS
ID: CAESAR JIHADIVS
IP: Logged

4,725 posts
Khilafah420
I'm not really sure what you want to do here. So should the US continue maintenance on highways/railroads, let them become more decrepit yet usable, or just shut them down period?
I don't have any strong opinions, to be honest. If you're willing to hamstring the labour unions of these construction workers and completely overhaul the welfare system you could probably have infrastructure on par with Hong Kong.

That's what I favour, from a hypothetical point of view, but if you're looking for a realistic answer I don't have it. If the whole of the US were to become like Texas in the slimming down of unions, maybe some environmental regulations and entitlements then you could see a nationwide improvement in quality without the fairly radical policies I'd otherwise desire.
Ah, labor unions.. Gotta love those. And when I say that, I mean fuck them. I would not be in a state of mourning if they were dismantled or checked in influence.