What is your opinion on Pres. Obama and Pres. Trump being unable to convince Congress to make infrastructure investments?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 00:44:35 -0400

While President, Obama wanted to invest in infrastructure, but was primarily stalled by Congress and Pres Trump has promoted the same. I am a big proponent of Infrastructure Spending, even if it does add to the National Debt as it is an investment in our future and the returns would be immeasurable.

I hope this administration can get this thru as I would wholeheartedly support it.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Jul 24 at 2017 1:02 AM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 01:02:08 -0400

What's the use of conquering foreign lands if poor gone is falling apart?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 7:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 07:09:04 -0400

Most state DOT's give lip service to "Maintenance First" for their roads and bridges. Unfortunately it’s only lip service. You can put this topic in that same column of colleges and universities; that is they see themselves as getting more powerful the bigger they get, so they keep on expanding knowing they will never be allowed to fail.

The result: What is the percentage that college tuitions have gone up the last 30 years? Find that answer and you’ll also find the answer to infrastructure spending. They keep building new roads and bridges instead of maintaining the ones we have. I believe my home state of Pa. has the neediest bridges in the nation, yet we keep building more. Don’t go down the easy path of “Let’s just throw more money at it.”, that technique just doesn’t work. Public/Private partnerships don't work either, they are typically only executed for the first 30 years of life after something has been built. How much maintenance is needed in the first 30 years of a bridges life? Not much.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jul 24 at 2017 8:38 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:38:09 -0400

The problem with infrastructure is that if your bridges need repairing, my roads need it too. They can't come to an agreement on what is worse. There is no prioritization of the most decrepit structures to ensure they get fixed first. Too many politicians rely on their specific area to continue getting votes to stay on the congressional gravy train versus doing what is right for the nation. I understand taking care of your voters...they put you there as their voice but you are also there to take care of the nation as a whole. I don't care who the president is, they probably will never convince congress to vote on something outside of their district unless there is some pork in there for their voters.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 8:40 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:40:15 -0400

Are you not considering Mr Obama's 1 Trillion Dollar stimulus program? 34% of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was for Infrastructure. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/apr/04/donald-trump/donald-trumps-skewed-portrayal-obamas-stimulus/

Donald Trump's skewed portrayal of Obama's stimulus

Just over eight years ago, when Barack Obama was just as new to the Oval Office as Donald Trump is now, he signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more commonly known as the stimulus. Its supporters give it a measure of credit for making the Great Recession milder than it could have been. But critics, including Trump, argue that it was a whole lot of nothing. He said as much at a town hall for CEOs on April 4, 2017.

Response by PO1 Rodney Bracey made Jul 24 at 2017 9:16 AM

PO1 Rodney Bracey — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 09:16:07 -0400

Infrastructure doesn't make politicians money. War makes money.

Our infrastructure will continue to crumble and be compromised until there's an epic disaster at which point the government can no longer ignore it.

Response by Susan Foster made Jul 24 at 2017 9:33 AM

Susan Foster — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 09:33:23 -0400

I don't understand why infrastructure wasn't what they all tackled first. Seems to be an issue both sides agree really needs to be fixed, and it should have been a pretty quick, bipartisan win.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jul 24 at 2017 10:09 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 10:09:20 -0400

Funny thing is, I was just thinking about this very topic this morning. My opinion on the lack of infrastructure spending? Same as it typically is when dealing with domestic issues: because Congress fails at its most basic job. It doesn't matter what President, what party, controls the Executive. Congress has zero interest in revitalizing or modernizing this country's infrastructure. They offer a meager amount of federal money to states for road repairs, and that's it. Everything else? That's corporate.

There's no excuse why we have crumbling bridges and roadways. There's no excuse why we have outdated power grids, water and sewage lines. There's no reason why we still have data transiting over STEEL lines and not copper, let alone fiber-optic (which is honestly the standard this country ought to be at right now, even out in the boonies). This is one area that I wish the government would step up the damned plate and do something, because it affects all of us. The entire country. And they ought to be acting like it. But they never will. Because there will never, ever be enough green lining their pockets to actually do something about it.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 24 at 2017 10:31 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 10:31:31 -0400

Most people are very narrow sighted, if they cannot see the money making a difference, they do not support it. Most will not support changes until they start seeing bridges fail and even then not till they loose someone they love. Same goes when I drive a fire truck, many do not get out of my way unless they know I am going to their house...

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Jul 24 at 2017 1:29 PM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 13:29:27 -0400

Because Congress is full of irresponsible hacks that want to pass the buck and spend money