Just wait until the dams start bursting.
It's not just bridges. As the American Society of Civil Engineers
Infrastructure Report Card 2005 points out, we're $1.6 trillion behind
in infrastructure investment. That, by the way, is the amount of tax cuts
Mister Bush tried to get passed in 2001, before he had the Global War on
Terrorism with which to shape his legacy. Congress "compromised" and gave
him only $1.35 trillion, tax cuts that writer Robert Freeman once labeled a
"national form of insanity."
What the ASCE's report points out is that bridges aren't our only problem:
Dams (D+) Since 1998, the number of unsafe dams has risen by 33% to more
than 3,500. While federally owned dams are in good condition, and there
have been modest gains in repair, the number of dams identified as unsafe
is increasing at a faster rate than those being repaired. $10.1 billion is
needed over the next 12 years to address all critical non-federal dams--
dams which pose a direct risk to human life should they fail. ...
Drinking Water (D-) America faces a shortfall of $11 billion annually to
replace aging facilities and comply with safe drinking water regulations.
Federal funding for drinking water in 2005 remained level at $850 million,
less than 10% of the total national requirement. The Bush administration
has proposed the same level of funding for FY06. ...
Schools (D) The Federal government has not assessed the condition of
America's schools since 1999, when it estimated that $127 billion was
needed to bring facilities to good condition. Other sources have since
reported a need as high as $268 billion. Despite public support of bond
initiatives to provide funding for school facilities, without a clear
understanding of the need, it is uncertain whether schools can meet
increasing enrollment demands and the smaller class sizes mandated by the
No Child Left Behind Act. ...
Transit (D+)Transit use increased faster than any other mode of
transportation--up 21%--between 1993 and 2002. Federal investment during
this period stemmed the decline in the condition of existing transit
infrastructure. The reduction in federal investment in real dollars since
2001 threatens this turnaround. In 2002, total capital outlays for transit
were $12.3 billion. The Federal Transit Administration estimates $14.8
billion is needed annually to maintain conditions, and $20.6 billion is
needed to improve to "good" conditions. Meanwhile, many major transit
properties are borrowing funds to maintain operations, even as they are
significantly raising fares and cutting back service. ...
Wastewater (D-) Aging wastewater management systems discharge billions of
gallons of untreated sewage into U.S. surface waters each year. The EPA
estimates that the nation must invest $390 billion over the next 20 years
to replace existing systems and build new ones to meet increasing demands.
Yet, in 2005, Congress cut funding for wastewater management for the first
time in eight years. The Bush administration has proposed a further 33%
reduction, to $730 million, for FY06.
http://www.asce.org/reportcard/2005/page.cfm?id=103
Meanwhile, we continue to spend $3 billion a week in Iraq -- some of
which is going to re-build their roads, bridges, dams, water, and sewer
systems.
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| User: "mukyuk" |
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| Title: Re: If You Thought a Bridge Collapse Was Bad .... |
02 Aug 2007 10:30:23 PM |
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I wonder what Steven will say to justify it....
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| User: "Perseid" |
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| Title: Re: If You Thought a Bridge Collapse Was Bad .... |
02 Aug 2007 10:58:58 PM |
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After Much Chewing of Cud and Cogitation, "mukyuk" <a@b.com> Spat the Words
I wonder what Steven will say to justify it....
He'll probably say that killing Iraqis and securing the oil so
terrorists don't get it is more important, and we didn't need
drinking water anyway, and who needs wastewater treatment.. we
can just mix it in with our drinking water, and if people die
from a dam-burst then god's will be done because Jesus Christ
and George W Bush will sustain me.. Amen.
Stevie will say something like that.
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