Biden to Unveil Infrastructure Plan

[babylonsister]

Sigh. Sure would be nice if the WaPo could crow about how this could get done instead of bemoaning why it can't.

https://politicalwire.com/2021/03/31/biden-to-unveil-infrastructure-plan/

Biden to Unveil Infrastructure Plan
March 31, 2021 at 6:08 am EDT By Taegan Goddard

“President Biden will unveil an infrastructure plan on Wednesday whose $2 trillion price tag would translate into 20,000 miles of rebuilt roads, repairs to the 10 most economically important bridges in the country, the elimination of lead pipes and service lines from the nation’s water supplies and a long list of other projects intended to create millions of jobs in the short run and strengthen American competitiveness in the long run,” the New York Times reports.

“Biden administration officials said the proposal, which they detailed in a 25-page briefing paper and which Mr. Biden will discuss in an afternoon speech in Pittsburgh, would also accelerate the fight against climate change by hastening the shift to new, cleaner energy sources, and would help promote racial equity in the economy.”

Washington Post: “The administration’s promises are vast and may prove difficult to enact, even if the effort can get through Democrats’ extremely narrow majority in Congress.”

[Botany]

1. Grown ups are back

Go Joe!

[Lovie777]

2. President Biden and administration are creating job security . . .

across board. republicans are afraid he will succeed.

[Hugin]

3. You mean... You mean...

An infrastructure week?!?!!?!?!?!

:faint:

:clunk:

[AverageOldGuy]

4. $2 trillion is not enough

The problem with Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan is that it's too small. It should be at a minimum $3 TRILLION.

"Infrastructure" is not just roads and bridges. Infrastructure includes roads, bridges, airfields, electrical generating and transmission facilities, water supplies (wells, pumps, pipelines, purification plants), sewer systems, communications facilities (phone lines, optical fiber networks, radio communications networks), and on and on and on.

Both public and private owners of pieces of our infrastructure regularly inspect their installations for wear and tear, obsolescence, damage, and the like. The American Society of Civil Engineers collects inspection data from both public and private entities and every four years publishes a detailed report on the nation’s infrastructure, complete with a grade. For the past two decades, the grades for our national infrastructure have ranged from C-minus to F. At the beginning of the Obama administration, the ASCE estimated a $3 trillion program was needed to bring us up to standard.

Why did Republican kill Obama’s $3 trillion plan and why are they poised to kill Biden’s $2 trillion plan? Because Republicans know the plans would be wildly popular.

Economists tell us that $1 spent on infrastructure generates between $7 and $9 in economic activity – because infrastructure work creates good construction jobs and requires the purchase of asphalt, cement, rebar, cable, pipes, gauges, etc., etc., etc. Infrastructure work goes on for decades, resulting in a long-term economic boom. This is the reason Republicans oppose the Obama and Biden plans: Because they know the result would be economic boom for which Democrats would get the credit.

Republicans would rather the lights go out in Texas or a bridge or dam collapse or major cities have to deal with a dozen water main breaks per day than to see a Democratic administration get credit for anything.

If terrorists were to bomb a bridge, we would call that an act of war. But, when Republicans stand by and watch bridges collapse or electrical power grids fail, well, that’s just fine with the GOP.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. To say nothing of the benefits of enduring efficiencies from such a plan

Shorter commute times, fewer ball joint/suspension/tire replacements (all born by drivers), fewer accidents, fewer poisonings from bad water (and therefore smarter kids). A rising tide lifts all boats, once you renovate one thing the public will get behind it. Old neighborhoods will be worth rehabbing, stores will reopen. We're past peak internet now, we can't live a life of being home bound and waiting for UPS and Fedex. People will want to go out in their communities and feel alive again. The rising cost of deliveries gives local shopping an opening. All because of badly needed repairs.

[AverageOldGuy]

5. And another thing . . . .

In case you have never read the American Society of Civil Engineers' report on the nation's infrastructure, here it is:

https://infrastructurereportcard.org/

Unlike most documents written by engineers, this one really is understandable!!!

[catbyte]

7. What, not "in two weeks?"

It's been a couple of months, but having a real president is still a little jarring--in the best way possible, of course.