The infrastructure fallacy

[Crazyhole]

It's pretty amazing to me that people on both sides hear the word infrastructure and immediately say "yes, we need to invest more in that".

The truth of the matter is that we really don't have a reasonable demand for a bunch of infrastructure spending. When people talk about crumbling roads and bridges, that isn't infrastructure spending, it's maintenance.

Maybe somebody can prove me wrong on this, but I don't see where at this point we need a new highway that connects people to a somewhere that doesn't already exist. Are there cities that need airports that don't already have one? Is there a demand for an electrical grid somewhere that doesn't already exist?

Exactly where are we talking about investing money in that will increase economic output?

 

[sk8knight]

It's pretty amazing to me that people on both sides hear the word infrastructure and immediately say "yes, we need to invest more in that".

The truth of the matter is that we really don't have a reasonable demand for a bunch of infrastructure spending. When people talk about crumbling roads and bridges, that isn't infrastructure spending, it's maintenance.

Maybe somebody can prove me wrong on this, but I don't see where at this point we need a new highway that connects people to a somewhere that doesn't already exist. Are there cities that need airports that don't already have one? Is there a demand for an electrical grid somewhere that doesn't already exist?

Exactly where are we talking about investing money in that will increase economic output?

Well, we will need solar panels and windmills on every open field to meet the increased demand from moving to an all-electric economy.

 

[DaShuckster]

The truth of the matter is that we really don't have a reasonable demand for a bunch of infrastructure spending. When people talk about crumbling roads and bridges, that isn't infrastructure spending, it's maintenance.

Call it whatever you want, that's what spending money on infrastructure is all about.

 

[Happy Hands]

A lot of infrastructure money goes to either replacing old airports or updating them. Of the 75-100 airports I go through a year, almost all of them have either been updated or replaced in the last 5 years or so. New Orleans built a new airport. K.C. Is replacing that dump they have. LaGuardia looks amazing now, which is weird to say. Omaha still kind of sucks though. It’s a red brick prison with a Taco Bell. Maybe they have plans too, I don’t know.

 

[sk8knight]

A lot of infrastructure money goes to either replacing old airports or updating them. Of the 75-100 airports I go through a year, almost all of them have either been updated or replaced in the last 5 years or so. New Orleans built a new airport. K.C. Is replacing that dump they have. LaGuardia looks amazing now, which is weird to say. Omaha still kind of sucks though. It’s a red brick prison with a Taco Bell. Maybe they have plans too, I don’t know.

Does Omaha really need anything more than that?

 

[DaShuckster]

Does Omaha really need anything more than that?

I live in Nebraska. While there are certainly infrastructure issues here, I strongly suspect that most of the major ones our country is facing are outside of the state.

 

[sk8knight]

I live in Nebraska. While there are certainly infrastructure issues here, I strongly suspect that most of the major ones our country is facing are outside of the state.

I've flown through that airport a number of times and it's functional as a regional airport. It's not going to compete with KC for business, so unless the airport cannot function or is dangerous, then you're probably right.

 

[DaShuckster]

I've flown through that airport a number of times and it's functional as a regional airport. It's not going to compete with KC for business, so unless the airport cannot function or is dangerous, then you're probably right.

I wasn't aware the Omaha airport was on the list. IMHO, the KC airport is much more in need of updating than Omaha's.

 

[Happy Hands]

Does Omaha really need anything more than that?

Better airports have been updated recently. And not necessarily bigger ones. Omaha is just inefficient. I also just read that they were working on a new terminal until the pandemic forced them to stop. So there’s that.

 

[goodknightfl]

It's pretty amazing to me that people on both sides hear the word infrastructure and immediately say "yes, we need to invest more in that".

The truth of the matter is that we really don't have a reasonable demand for a bunch of infrastructure spending. When people talk about crumbling roads and bridges, that isn't infrastructure spending, it's maintenance.

Spending on infrastructure maintenance is still infrastructure spending.

 

[_glaciers]

leftists just like throwing around the work "infrastructure" because they associate the usage of multi-syllabic words with intellect.

words like "systemic" and "intersectional" aren't apart of their lexicon because they're necessary to communicate what they say, but more closely related to a verbal fashion statement.

 

[chemmie]

leftists just like throwing around the work "infrastructure" because they associate the usage of multi-syllabic words with intellect.

words like "systemic" and "intersectional" aren't apart of their lexicon because they're necessary to communicate what they say, but more closely related to a verbal fashion statement.

Just because a word has too many syllables for you to understand, doesn't mean its usage isn't correct nor true.

Our infrastructure is abysmal compared to other westernized nations, and we are the wealthiest. If only somebody understood where all of our wealth is actually going?? Hmmmm...

 

[sk8knight]

leftists just like throwing around the work "infrastructure" because they associate the usage of multi-syllabic words with intellect.

words like "systemic" and "intersectional" aren't apart of their lexicon because they're necessary to communicate what they say, but more closely related to a verbal fashion statement.

At least "shovel-ready" has been retired. If we're going to be real, though, we could call the "kickback-centric" and "graft-aligned" projects and be a hell of a lot more accurate.

 

[_glaciers]

Just because a word has too many syllables for you to understand, doesn't mean its usage isn't correct nor true.

Our infrastructure is abysmal compared to other westernized nations, and we are the wealthiest. If only somebody understood where all of our wealth is actually going?? Hmmmm...

how proud were you that you got the opportunity to whip out "abysmal"? 🤣

 

[sk8knight]

Speaking of crony capitalism:

Biden to Showcase Business Tied to Energy Sec Granholm

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm owns up to $5 million in the electric battery and vehicle manufacturer President Joe Biden will promote on Tuesday as part of his push for a $1.9 trillion infrastructure bill. Biden’s virtual visit to the electric battery producer Proterra comes days after Vice...

freebeacon.com

 

[goodknightfl]

Much of this is going to green new deal BS. You want to fund that garbage fine, but do it in a bill designed for that purpose.

 

[DaShuckster]

Much of this is going to green new deal BS. You want to fund that garbage fine, but do it in a bill designed for that purpose.

I can hear goodknightfl's ancestor 100 years ago: You want to fund that horseless carriage BS? Do it with a bill designed for that purpose.

 

[sk8knight]

I can hear goodknightfl's ancestor 100 years ago: You want to fund that horseless carriage BS? Do it with a bill designed for that purpose.

They’d have been right then, too.

 

[PhDee]

It's pretty amazing to me that people on both sides hear the word infrastructure and immediately say "yes, we need to invest more in that".

The truth of the matter is that we really don't have a reasonable demand for a bunch of infrastructure spending. When people talk about crumbling roads and bridges, that isn't infrastructure spending, it's maintenance.

Maybe somebody can prove me wrong on this, but I don't see where at this point we need a new highway that connects people to a somewhere that doesn't already exist. Are there cities that need airports that don't already have one? Is there a demand for an electrical grid somewhere that doesn't already exist?

Exactly where are we talking about investing money in that will increase economic output?

Go drive on some highways in the midwest