On the WPA and its relevance to the current recession

[Mac1337]

JoeH wrote:
[quote=Dakota]
Politicians better think past "roads and bridges". This ain't the 30s. People aren't hungry enough to go shovel dirt at 2am in 20 below weather.

However there are plenty of unemployed and underemployed construction workers around to build those "roads and bridges". And many of these projects have a training/local worker provisions that may get some people trained in a trade they can work in after this recession. Also the payroll for the workers in these projects will get spent on those workers' families and homes, bringing economic activity to areas around them as well.
No arguments here but it seems to me when politicians can't think of anything they fall back on "roads and bridges" thing. This economy is a lot bigger than that.

[Black Landlord]

I'm with Dakota, SaminTx, and Stizzealth on this one.




!

[Mac1337]

Black Landlord wrote:
I'm with Dakota, SaminTx, and Stizzealth on this one.

!

This is not tongue in cheek, is it?

[Black Landlord]

No. Am I supposed to disagree with you no matter what your position?

[Mac1337]

Black Landlord wrote:
No. Am I supposed to disagree with you no matter what your position?

Gosh, no. I have my hands full!

[the_poochies]

Forty years of politicians from both parties telling us that government is the problem not the solution has created at least two generations of Americans who believe that no matter what we try to do as a country, it's doomed to end in failure.

[AlphaDog]

Dakota wrote:
[quote=JoeH]
[quote=Dakota]
Politicians better think past "roads and bridges". This ain't the 30s. People aren't hungry enough to go shovel dirt at 2am in 20 below weather.

However there are plenty of unemployed and underemployed construction workers around to build those "roads and bridges". And many of these projects have a training/local worker provisions that may get some people trained in a trade they can work in after this recession. Also the payroll for the workers in these projects will get spent on those workers' families and homes, bringing economic activity to areas around them as well.
No arguments here but it seems to me when politicians can't think of anything they fall back on "roads and bridges" thing. This economy is a lot bigger than that.
What people have to keep in mind is the fact "roads and bridges" are the projects that are most likely to be the ones that could be started almost immediately to get the whole thing rolling. As someone (I think Swampy) already pointed out, winding through the massive amounts of planning and red tape could take years before other projects could get to the point of actual work. There are thousands of areas in this country where road and bridge projects are lined up and ready to go. It's very logical to start with those.

I do have a plan for getting this started, so if anyone would like to recommend me for a consulting position with the new administration, I will consider accepting.

[JoeH]

Exactly, the state DPW here has a backlog of road and bridge projects planned, but waiting for funding. Also, these kind of projects leave permanent structures and benefits behind for the society as a whole once done. Done during a downturn they can also benefit from reduced demand for construction work and materials elsewhere in the economy, so get done for a lower cost. They are not the only thing that could be done in this direction, but they are so easy to think of, they do tend to be among the first proposed by politicians and others.

[swampy]

Well if roads and bridges are the way to go, Florida will be sitting pretty. They can't do much construction up in the frozen north during the winter months so most of the work will start in the sunshine belt. I look forward to thousands of workers heading south, seeking housing, making money and spending it in the Sunshine State. You folks up north will have to wait for summer for your share of the pie.

[mikeylikesit]

swampy wrote:
Well if roads and bridges are the way to go, Florida will be sitting pretty. They can't do much construction up in the frozen north during the winter months so most of the work will start in the sunshine belt. I look forward to thousands of workers heading south, seeking housing, making money and spending it in the Sunshine State. You folks up north will have to wait for summer for your share of the pie.

It would be shame if the funds end up in California and other areas out West.