A few years ago the news headlines were all about rebuilding America’s infrastructure, such as bridges, waterways, highways, canals, dikes, dams, water systems, and much more. But what ever happened to this idea and most importantly where is the money for these projects considering the trillions of tax payer dollars currently being spent?
The rebuilding of America’s infrastructure was a huge subject of interest during the 2008 elections as the world was exposed to the critical infrastructure problems across the United States that is on the brink of collapse. As the economy collapsed in 2007 & 2008 the chat of President Obama’s “Yes, we can” sparked the imaginations of a nation as the spirit of American innovation reemerged. The mantra became a rally call for many to go out and vote for change led by the majority of elected officials who are in office today, including the President.
Yet, where is the money? Taxpayers have spent money on a stimulus package to bail out the banks. The American people bought a auto manufacturing company, and an insurance company. Money was spent to create jobs and to conduct research and development for alternative energy solutions as well as health care reform. But whatever happened to the rebuilding of America’s infrastructure? Did the problem magically go away, or perhaps it was merely a ploy to elect our current officials?
The reality is America’s infrastructure is still a major issue.
For example, the Chicago Interchange needs to be rebuilt, the Brooklyn Bridge is about to collapse. The 87-year-old canal locks in New Orleans aren’t up to regulations and about to fail including Atlanta’s water system. What about Lake Okeechobee in Florida who needs $25 million to fix the system to prevent the entire water system from being contaminated when it enviably fails. Can you believe the Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky is actually leaking and nothing is being done. These are merely a few of the major issues needing to be addressed and fixed across the United States.
Perhaps the time is now to start asking the hard questions from our elected officials or those who want to take office in November on when are we going to rebuild America? If not now, then when? Perhaps when another bridge collapses like the Mississippi River Bridge?
What has happened to the voice of the American people? Is an entire nation going to sit around and do nothing as our elected officials continue to take advantage of the American people and let its infrastructure collapse? Today it appears the American people will continue to sit around and do absolutely nothing without truly letting their voices be heard in an organized way beyond falling into the traps of both the Democratic and Republican parties.
What will be the wake up call? Will it be when you and your family are traveling on a vacation when one of America’s many bridges collapses? America must wake up because the entire nation’s safety and lives are at risk. Washington spending, including the majority of States, is out of control and unacceptable. If the nation fails to wake up the potential blood of innocent American’s will be on the hands of the people who failed to let their voices be heard.
On a positive note, if America’s infrastructure is rebuilt it will definitely create millions of jobs. Yet back to the present moment, if the money is allocated do American’s who are looking for jobs really want to get dirty to fix what America’s greatest generation built many years ago or will the United States outsource this project once again?
