tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post4453810755419616091..comments2023-09-15T04:27:57.129-04:00Comments on Commentarama: Ask CommentaramaAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-8298246426805275532010-02-25T19:16:04.357-05:002010-02-25T19:16:04.357-05:00Thanks Pitts! That's one of the problems with...Thanks Pitts! That's one of the problems with the way we do infrastructure spending -- it becomes a game of getting as much out of Congress for your district as you can, rather than doing things that make sense.<br /><br />Sadly, our country is dotted with highways and bridges to nowhere, rail systems no one uses or wants, and other pork projects. That's why I'd like to see Congress change the way they handle infrastructure spending -- maybe eliminate earmarks and require every construction project to be evaluated by the CBO. That might be a good start.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-638055797356508292010-02-25T19:02:30.370-05:002010-02-25T19:02:30.370-05:00Good article! I think of infrastructure as one of...Good article! I think of infrastructure as one of those "reasons government exists", like national defense or police protection. If I don't have the basics of a good road system to get me around town efficiently or a sewage system to connect my house or business to, I won't be able to live or run a business very effectively.<br /><br />And you make a good point about sensible or frivolous infrastructure. Pittsburgh's got a perfect example of frivolous--the so-called "chunnel" that is being built under one of our rivers to connect our light rail system to the stadium on the other side. Never mind that we've already got several bridges to get people over there. It's already over budget, but who cares about that when all of YOU are paying for this federally-funded boondoggle. And don't even get me started on light rail--another money-losing favorite of planners and bureaucrats.Pittsburgh Enigmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06452716444698202766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-59804003741010484922010-02-24T22:57:00.525-05:002010-02-24T22:57:00.525-05:00Stan, I'll see what I can do about talking abo...Stan, I'll see what I can do about talking about the Fair Tax.<br /><br />You're right about Keynesian economics -- its problem is that it doesn't account for the negative effect, it just assumes that good things will happen.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-19583986808060934512010-02-24T22:53:10.667-05:002010-02-24T22:53:10.667-05:00Scott, Glad to hear it! :-)Scott, Glad to hear it! :-)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-8623607033925749642010-02-24T22:51:34.186-05:002010-02-24T22:51:34.186-05:00Andrew - I guess that's what I meant. :-)Andrew - I guess that's what I meant. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-66562231899769830102010-02-24T22:48:24.518-05:002010-02-24T22:48:24.518-05:00“For every action, there is a equal opposite react...“For every action, there is a equal opposite reaction!” The fatal flaw in Keynesian economics. Government takes money from the taxpayer, and uses it for public jobs programs, that’s one less dollar in the productive private sector. <br /><br />I’ve got a question tax policy, most specifically the “Fair Tax.” I know the challenges repealing the 16th amendment the biggest. It was developed by MIT and Harvard economics professors years ago not scientologist. This would pull the IRS up by it’s roots, and stir business in this country on super drive. Financial gurus estimate there is 12 trillion dollars banked sitting overseas, these dollars would pour back into the states, without the punitive taxes. The rate would be fixed at 18 to 23%, revenue neutral It would exclude people that make less than $30,000.00 by using a voucher program, where you’d get a monthly rebate check for taxes paid. This eliminate meddlesome politicians playing with the tax code...I think it’s brilliant. A good book “Fair Tax,” by John Linder & Neal Boortz, back it up with stats. Just a thought.StanHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07395708786509590321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-27420479519452078002010-02-24T22:13:43.087-05:002010-02-24T22:13:43.087-05:00Individualist, Thanks. I'm glad you find this...Individualist, Thanks. I'm glad you find this useful. As I note, I think that infrastructure spending can be a necessary thing, but it needs to be done sensibly, as compared to how it's done now -- which seemed to have more to do with political connections.<br /><br />As for privatization, in a prior life, I was involved privatization issues and I can tell you that it is an excellent system for deliverying government goods for a variety of reasons. First, it's cheaper. Secondly, the workforce is much more responsive. Third, private companies tend to have much more access to modern methods, equipment and know-how. Finally, as you very correctly point out, government employees who watch over contractors have an incentive to make sure the contractor does a good job -- they don't have the same incentive when they do it themselves.<br /><br />There are some things that just can't be privatized, but much can. And I'm a big advocate of it for those reasons.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-91977039831400349402010-02-24T22:06:07.455-05:002010-02-24T22:06:07.455-05:00Andrew
Here, Here! This insight can help us to a...Andrew<br /><br />Here, Here! This insight can help us to answer a common meme thrown at conservatives every time we talk about reducing government spending. The mot egregious example being the comparison of a single payer public health insurance with the Fire Fighters.<br /><br />I really like the fact that you stressed the idea that when the government does spend on infrastructure it hires private contractors to do this. There is one other benefit to this that I'd like to add. When the private company is responsible for building it there is no pressure on the bureaucrat to hide any wrongdoing by the company. When it is a government agency that is negligent the issue becomes a political football in a blame game and the problem is not identified let alone corrected.Individualisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005025873042230314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-52651807293537507172010-02-24T22:01:37.550-05:002010-02-24T22:01:37.550-05:00Scott, What do you mean what next? Next would be ...Scott, What do you mean what next? Next would be that we try to convince Congress to change the way they spend money -- to stop playing the jobs game and the pork barrell spending game, and instead focus on spending money on necessary and worthwhile projects. . . and to repeal Davis Bacon, and to privatize as much as possible. That's what I would say is "what's next."AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-81781741994695231772010-02-24T22:00:01.401-05:002010-02-24T22:00:01.401-05:00Writer X, Thanks! I'm glad you liked it, and ...Writer X, Thanks! I'm glad you liked it, and I'm glad you like the new feature. Feel free to ask a question for the upcoming week(s)!<br /><br />As for toll roads, they are evil. . . pure evil. I am not a fan of toll roads in any way.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-49072216170645846202010-02-24T20:42:07.843-05:002010-02-24T20:42:07.843-05:00When I got to the section that discussed tolls, my...When I got to the section that discussed tolls, my skin started to itch. Of course, I'm reminded of the Chicago toll roads that have been in existence ever since I can remember. And the roads are still terrible. And the toll price always go up.<br /><br />Interesting post, Andrew! I like this new feature.Writer Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16505411188186283813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-12480507454079182492010-02-24T20:34:28.093-05:002010-02-24T20:34:28.093-05:00Of course it did. :-) But like so many other issue...Of course it did. :-) But like so many other issues, I'm forced to ask, "Okay, then what?" Unfortunately, while we have other fish to fry, no one seems to think about this stuff until a bridge collapses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-47734603261437072032010-02-24T20:07:18.382-05:002010-02-24T20:07:18.382-05:00Scott, I hope it at least answered your question?
...Scott, I hope it at least answered your question?<br /><br />I watch a lot of those shows too. It's amazing what the human race can do when they put their minds to it, isn't it?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-91105740793154954252010-02-24T20:05:59.165-05:002010-02-24T20:05:59.165-05:00Thanks Lawhawk, High praise indeed! I'm glad ...Thanks Lawhawk, High praise indeed! I'm glad you like it.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-8466397154048626792010-02-24T19:22:12.731-05:002010-02-24T19:22:12.731-05:00I know I asked the question but I don't have a...I know I asked the question but I don't have a lot to contribute! It was on the brain since this month's Popular Science features a cover story on Rebuilding America. And anytime the History Channel or National Geographic Channel airs a documentary about the NY subway system or monorails ("No, good sir; I'm on the level!"), I tune in.<br /><br />Of course, anytime PopSci or Popular Mechanics does a story on all the cool infrastructure developments being pioneered at corporations and universities (like phosphorescent poison detectors for water pipes or power lines that heal themselves via nanoparticles), I always think, "Yeah right, like we'll see that anytime soon."<br /><br />Loved the Bill & Ted reference!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-86228144388267737432010-02-24T18:39:16.469-05:002010-02-24T18:39:16.469-05:00Andrew: Damn, I wish I had written that. That...Andrew: Damn, I wish I had written that. That's the best summary of infrastructure I've seen in as long as I can remember, and the only one-paragraph destruction of Keynesian economics that I've ever seen, period. <br /><br />I work very hard at trying to disagree with you, but absolutely nothing comes to mind right now. Give me some time. LOLLawHawkRFDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.com