What do you think of nation building?

1. 79

   Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

   New catchphrase from Obama's acceptance speech at DNC.
   
   So... if he proposes that we build all this infrastructure in America and we do build it,
   will he give us credit for it?
   Will the GOP?
   I mean, if we really do build it, could anyone argue that we didn't build that?
   

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   1. 61

      Petra Vlahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I believe the American nation NEEDS rebuilding. Just look at the pols and see how divided this country is (50 - 50) about issues that are almost 100% contrary to each other. It is about time to leave the rest of the world alone and concentrate all efforts on making life in America better for all people.

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      1. 92

         habeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I'm with you. We spend WAY too much $$ overseas when we need it here.

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         1. 69

            aguasilverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            You could solve most of your countries problems by simply nationalising Halliburton, or whatever name they use today, and getting rid of the Fed Reserve to regain control of your economy and currency.
            
            https://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3 … 5GIkQW01AE
            
            

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2. 75

   Reality Bytesposted 11 years ago

   Wasn't there almost a trillion dollars distributed for this exact purpose?  Does anyone know where the United States misplaced that $$$?

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   1. 81

      Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Probably went to Iraq

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      1. 60

         JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         No it went to Europe.

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      2. 75

         Reality Bytesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         LOL
         
         It is unfortunate, because the United States definitely needs some infrastructure upgrades.  Good for society, good for employment, positive for everyone!

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3. 60

   JSChamsposted 11 years ago

   See it's all well and good to say...Let's just put everyone to work on the infrastructure.
   Great....first you have to have the plans........then you have to have the contractors to do it. The idea I gather...because I watched NONE of either convention...is to get them to hire unemployed people. Do those people have the necessary skills?
   There is a lot to this thing. You can't just DO it.
   Let's don't forget money.
   Oh that's right.......tax the rich.

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   1. 75

      Reality Bytesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If we are discussing roads and bridges, those that are engaging in commercial activities using these roads should be responsible for the revenue to improve the infrastructure.   The work should be allocated through a bid system, once the GC is established they can sub the work out to smaller companies.

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   2. 61

      Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Forgetting the tax the rich comment. Why can't we all just do it, it's been done before, post WW11 and thereafter and helped economies recover>

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      1. 60

         JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I actually have no problem with the basic idea. I just want it to be done without it being a political football.
         Yeah.....like that is gonna happen!!!
         

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         1. 61

            Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Well, in a sense it's always going to be a political football, because the party who suggests it is always going to be opposed by the party that didn't suggest it first. That's politics!

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            1. 60

               JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I suppose....

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               1. 61

                  Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Sadly...

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4. 81

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   Non-commerical use also wears out the roads.  Logically everyone should pay in a roughly proportional way relative to the benefits they get and their ability to pay.
   
   And the work should not go to the lowest bidder unless there are very clear specs. That;s why some of the bridged are falling apart now, cheap building methods like the use of untanilized timber supports.

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   1. 75

      Reality Bytesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The reason I suggest those conducting commerce is that the expenditure is more easily distributed to operating costs.  Ultimately everyone will pay the fees within the price of their products and services.
      
      
      
      The work does not need to go to the lowest bidder, when I was responsible for distributing contracts, I would seek a middle price, as I was confident of their ability to perform a quality job for the cost.  Of course if the United States decided to switch the funds that go to building the infrastructure of foreign nations to work in the borders of the United States, no one in the U.S. would feel any difference in their income!

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5. 79

   Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

   
   
   And schools! Let's not forget schools.
   My high school was a WPA project. It includes beautiful stone artistry inside (cool gargoyles, exquisite tilework -- I have photos somewhere, can't find on Google, tho). They don't build 'em like that anymore.
   BUT WE COULD!
   Point here is that when we think of infrastructure it's not just bridges and roads.

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   1. 60

      JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah like when they built the interstate system. In the 50's?

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      1. 79

         Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         This one was a bona fide WPA project. Opened in 1935.
         I took my California native architect husband there and he was blown away.
         He simply could not believe that such beautiful workmanship/craftsmanship would be in a public high school.
         
         While we're talking of nation building, I will put in my plug to stop making strip malls that make every city look like every other city. Ugh and ugLY!

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            JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            You know I would almost bet that was built by a private contractor and non-union workers.

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6. 69

   aguasilverposted 11 years ago

   Just give any new start up business that employs five (non related) people or more (but up to say 50 maximum) a tax free run for the first five years, on the business and the employees.
   
   Small is beautiful, manageable and will produce the entrepreneurs (remember GWB; "The French don't even know have a word for it" ) that rebuild a nations wealth.

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