Some problems only BIG Government can solve

NeoCons, Tea Partiers and other self-proclaimed Conservatives of every stripe grouse tirelessly against federal spending in general and the stimulus package implemented by Obama and Congressional Dems in particular. “Big Government is all wet!” they may be shouting out of one corner of their mouths while the other corner is smiling at a camera taking a picture of them handing their constituents Big Checks made possible by … the federal government’s STIMULOUS PACKAGE. They scream America could never in a billion years oversee anything well and insist we’d all fare much better if elected officials would quit all that unnecessary taxing and spending. They also cry train car-loads full of tears about the huge debt which will be this generation’s legacy to the next.
Of course, that tear-full train car is probably sitting on a track that is crumbling. What would really happen if Big Government disappeared entirely – state and federal? No armed forces or National Guard. No Big Scale disaster relief or crisis response – not to mention low percentage loans for the actual disaster sufferers. No drivable bridges or roads. No drinkable water. No airports or classrooms or rapid transit systems or any other infrastructure would remain inhabitable or usable because most of it is currently falling apart and it will take a monumental effort to shore it back up. THAT’s the real legacy we are leaving our children and grandchildren – a nation whose underpinnings are literally disintegrating. The Society of Civil Engineers graded U.S. infrastructure last year – most sectors scored a D or lower! Water infrastructure scored a D-.
The $100 billion appropriated by Congress for infrastructure repair is a DROP IN THE BUCKET of what is required – a situation our president has not denied. The estimated cost of repair and replacement just for water delivery and treatment systems is $500 BILLION more than has currently been allotted! And Conservatives don’t think this is an emergency? What private business could possibly finance or even begin to address such a huge undertaking?
We need to keep our public sector strong and continually evolving so that we can compete with China and other fast growing nations. We need to be able to deliver clean, safe and AFFORDABLE water. We need state-of-the-art educational facilities, more efficient mass transit, shored up levies, repaved highways and bridges that don’t fall down when you blow on them.
Three or four decades ago, we received title to and became caretakers of trillions of dollars worth of gorgeous framework in solid condition – it is only right that we pass it along in similar condition. And that, friends, will take the kind of investment only GOVERNMENTS are equipped to make.
The Bush regime borrowed gazillions from China to finance tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans this nation has ever known. Conservatives/Repubs NEVER paid for any of it through budget cuts and 90% of us didn’t improve our lots in life from this huge yet narrow commitment of our wealth.
But all Americans will partake of the rebuilding of our nation and the wealth that investment will generate. The gift that’ll keep on giving …