No matter what your particular political perspective is, if there is one thing that virtually everyone in the United States can agree upon it is the fact that America’s infrastructure is crumbling.

Previous generations of Americans conquered an entire continent and erected the greatest system of infrastructure that the world had ever seen, but now thousands upon thousands of those extremely impressive infrastructure projects are decades old and in desperate need of repair or upgrading.  The near catastrophic failure of the Oroville Dam is a perfect example of what I am talking about.  We should be constructing the next generation of infrastructure projects for our children and our grandchildren, but instead we are in such sorry shape that we can’t even keep up with the maintenance and upkeep on the great infrastructure projects that have been handed down to us.

Once upon a time nobody on the entire planet could even come close to matching our infrastructure, but now our crumbling infrastructure has become a joke to much of the rest of the industrialized world.  Sadly, this is just another symptom of our long-term economic collapse.  We simply are not able to put as much of our money toward infrastructure as previous generations of Americans did, and as a result we have a giant mess on our hands.  The following are 11 deeply alarming facts about America’s crumbling infrastructure…

#1 According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, nearly 56,000 bridges in the United States are currently “structurally deficient”.  What makes that number even more chilling is the fact that vehicles cross those bridges a total of 185 million times a day.
#2 More than one out of every four bridges in the United States is more than 50 years old and “have never had major reconstruction work”.

#3 America does not have a single airport that is considered to be in the top 25 in the world.

#4 The average age of America’s dams is now 52 years.
#5 Not too long ago, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the condition of America’s dams a “D” grade.
#6 Overall, the American Society of Civil Engineers said that the condition of America’s infrastructure as a whole only gets a “D+” grade.

#7 Congestion on our highways costs Americans approximately 101 billion dollars a year in wasted fuel and time.
#8 According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over two-thirds of our roads are “in dire need of repair or upgrades”.
#9 In order to completely fix all of our roads and bridges, it would take approximately 808 billion dollars.

#10 Federal spending on infrastructure has decreased by 9 percent over the past decade.

#11 According to Bloomberg, it is being projected “that by 2025, shortfalls in infrastructure investment will subtract as much as $3.9 trillion from U.S. gross domestic product.”

The quality of our infrastructure affects all of our lives every single day.  For instance, we all simply take it for granted that safe, clean drinking water is going to come out of our taps, but recent events have shown that is not necessarily always going to be the case.

Just ask the residents of Flint, Michigan.

Water pipes, sewer systems and water treatment facilities all over the nation are aging and are in desperate need of repair.  Of course the exact same thing could be said about our power grid.  It was never intended to handle so many people, and on the hottest days of the summer the strain on the grid is very evident.

And of course the power grid is exceedingly vulnerable to an electromagnetic pulse event, and this is something that I covered in my book on getting prepared.  It has been projected that it would only cost a couple billion dollars to harden the grid against an EMP event, but our politicians refuse to spend the money.

Meanwhile, President Trump is completely correct when he says that our airports look like something that you would see in a third world country.  Most of our airports are at least several decades old, and they are definitely showing their age.

But things are even worse when you look at other systems of mass transit around the country.  While other nations such as Japan and China are investing huge amounts of money into high speed rail, we are doing next to nothing even though what we currently have is absolutely pathetic.

I could go on and talk about our ports, schools, waterways, parks, etc. but I think that you get the point.

President Trump’s instincts are right on the money when he says that he wants to spend a trillion dollars on infrastructure.  Without a doubt, we desperately need it.

The problem is that we are flat broke.

We are 20 trillion dollars in debt, and we are adding more than a trillion dollars to that total every year.

So where are we going to get the money?

It is easy for liberals to say that we should raise taxes, but how much more are you going to squeeze out of U.S. consumers?  Two-thirds of the country is living paycheck to paycheck, and we just learned that U.S. household debt has risen to a grand total of 12.58 trillion dollars.

Once upon a time, America was the wealthiest nation on the entire planet and we could afford to construct bold, new infrastructure projects from sea to shining sea.

But today we have the biggest mountain of debt in the history of the world and we can’t even afford to repair what we already have.

When I speak of our long-term economic collapse, this is precisely the sort of thing that I am talking about.  We have clearly been in decline for a very long time, and anyone that would suggest otherwise is simply not being honest with you.

Submitted by Michael Snyder via Economic Collapse blog
:zerohedge

WHo's this 'we', whiteman?  I live in Australia. Maybe you could try remember where you live as wll.

This is what Trump has to do, what in fact he promised to do.
And he was spot on with his $1 trillion cost estimate.

But where's the money coming from? Decades of regulation has robbed the economy of productivity which could go towards this end. And decades of do nothing politicians have watched the cost of doing it escalate. Nothing new in that.

But Trump is the man to get it done.

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 8:00am:

This is what Trump has to do, what in fact he promised to do. And he was spot on with his $1 trillion cost estimate. But where's the money coming from? Decades of regulation has robbed the economy of productivity which could go towards this end. And decades of do nothing politicians have watched the cost of doing it escalate. Nothing new in that. But Trump is the man to get it done.

I live in australia. I have no idea what planet you live on.

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 7:57am:

WHo's this 'we', whiteman?  I live in Australia. Maybe you could try remember where you live as wll.

Submitted by Michael Snyder via Economic Collapse blog
:zerohedge

;) ;)

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 8:00am:

This is what Trump has to do, what in fact he promised to do. And he was spot on with his $1 trillion cost estimate. But where's the money coming from? Decades of regulation has robbed the economy of productivity which could go towards this end. And decades of do nothing politicians have watched the cost of doing it escalate. Nothing new in that. But Trump is the man to get it done.

Trump plans to cut tax rates by about half, Bogie.

This will get it done for sure.

Karnal, tax cuts as part of a major rewrite of the tax code are one of the planks of his reforming economic policy.
I taught tax laws for about ten years. When I started our tax code was one book about 2 inches thick, if you understand that measure. When i finished it was 2 books both thicker than that. And that was just the income tax law.
This is one example of how overregulation stifles enterprise and productivity.

The tax cuts have to be seen alongside the other 2 planks of his policy:
- deregulation: no new reg without cancelling 2 existing regs...APPLAUSE!

- trade renegotiation

PS piss off Longy, you're a dope and know nothing about nothing.

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 10:17am:

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 8:00am: This is what Trump has to do, what in fact he promised to do. And he was spot on with his $1 trillion cost estimate. But where's the money coming from? Decades of regulation has robbed the economy of productivity which could go towards this end. And decades of do nothing politicians have watched the cost of doing it escalate. Nothing new in that. But Trump is the man to get it done. I live in australia. I have no idea what planet you live on.

Thats not true - you live in La La Land!

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 10:17am:

I have no idea

At last, something we can all agree on.....

With due respect Bogarde. There is plenty of money to fix infrastructure.

The Fed has raised 27 trillion since 2008 in bailouts and grants to member banks and international banks. So the one or so trillion needed is small change.

What is needed is the treasury take control of the money issuance once again from the private monopoly of the IMF, BIS and Fed. The treasury can then direct funds as needed for the good of the people.

Richdude wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 1:34pm:

With due respect Bogarde. There is plenty of money to fix infrastructure. The Fed has raised 27 trillion since 2008 in bailouts and grants to member banks and international banks. So the one or so trillion needed is small change. What is needed is the treasury take control of the money issuance once again from the private monopoly of the IMF, BIS and Fed. The treasury can then direct funds as needed for the good of the people.

You're probably right Richdude, the money can be found. FDR found it in the Great Depression and the money to fight a world war.

Speaking of which, I'm guessing the crumbling infrastructure is all stuff FDR and Truman either built or put in the pipeline and the US has been living off it since.

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 12:59pm:

Karnal, tax cuts as part of a major rewrite of the tax code are one of the planks of his reforming economic policy. I taught tax laws for about ten years. When I started our tax code was one book about 2 inches thick, if you understand that measure. When i finished it was 2 books both thicker than that. And that was just the income tax law. This is one example of how overregulation stifles enterprise and productivity. The tax cuts have to be seen alongside the other 2 planks of his policy: - deregulation: no new reg without cancelling 2 existing regs...APPLAUSE! - trade renegotiation PS piss off Longy, you're a dope and know nothing about nothing.

I see. So where's the money for all the great infrastructure projects coming from, Bogie?

Don't say Mexico. They're staying out of this one.

China?

Russia?

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 12:59pm:

Karnal, tax cuts as part of a major rewrite of the tax code are one of the planks of his reforming economic policy. I taught tax laws for about ten years. When I started our tax code was one book about 2 inches thick, if you understand that measure. When i finished it was 2 books both thicker than that. And that was just the income tax law. This is one example of how overregulation stifles enterprise and productivity. The tax cuts have to be seen alongside the other 2 planks of his policy: - deregulation: no new reg without cancelling 2 existing regs...APPLAUSE! - trade renegotiation PS piss off Longy, you're a dope and know nothing about nothing.

A) I dont believe you taught tax law. Your ignorance on the matter defies that claim

and B)  You still dont live in america so why are you wanking on about bridges in the USA?  You think these problems all arose since 2009?

Richdude wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 1:34pm:

With due respect Bogarde. There is plenty of money to fix infrastructure. The Fed has raised 27 trillion since 2008 in bailouts and grants to member banks and international banks. So the one or so trillion needed is small change. What is needed is the treasury take control of the money issuance once again from the private monopoly of the IMF, BIS and Fed. The treasury can then direct funds as needed for the good of the people.

so u r another of these mentally deranged conspiracy loons like Light who think the Fed is 'privately owned'.

idiot

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 2:22pm:

FDR found it in the Great Depression and the money to fight a world war.

Can't imagine 21st century Americans turning in their gold to the government... Can you?

Maybe if every billionaire in the US gave a billion... Can you see Trump leading the charge on that one?

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 19^th, 2017 at 5:09pm:

Richdude wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 1:34pm: With due respect Bogarde. There is plenty of money to fix infrastructure. The Fed has raised 27 trillion since 2008 in bailouts and grants to member banks and international banks. So the one or so trillion needed is small change. What is needed is the treasury take control of the money issuance once again from the private monopoly of the IMF, BIS and Fed. The treasury can then direct funds as needed for the good of the people. so u r another of these mentally deranged conspiracy loons like Light who think the Fed is 'privately owned'. idiot

I bet if I told you that the "sky is blue" - you would deny it.

The Federal Reserve Act was passed by congress on the 24th of December 1913. It is neither Federal (as in part of gov) and has no reserves. It is a privately owned cartel of banks which loans money (numbers on a computer screen) to Gov in exchange for bonds, as directed by the BIS (bank of international settlements) in Switzerland.
Its a swindle of mammoth proportions. Unfortunately the system has become a fixture.

Thats all Weekend can handle.

Richdude wrote on Feb 20^th, 2017 at 2:07am:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 5:09pm: Richdude wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 1:34pm: With due respect Bogarde. There is plenty of money to fix infrastructure. The Fed has raised 27 trillion since 2008 in bailouts and grants to member banks and international banks. So the one or so trillion needed is small change. What is needed is the treasury take control of the money issuance once again from the private monopoly of the IMF, BIS and Fed. The treasury can then direct funds as needed for the good of the people. so u r another of these mentally deranged conspiracy loons like Light who think the Fed is 'privately owned'. idiot I bet if I told you that the "sky is blue" - you would deny it.

No, we wouldn't but guess who would?

'It stopped raining immediately when I started speaking'...

NorthOfNorth wrote on Feb 20^th, 2017 at 9:15am:

Richdude wrote on Feb 20th, 2017 at 2:07am: longweekend58 wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 5:09pm: Richdude wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 1:34pm: With due respect Bogarde. There is plenty of money to fix infrastructure. The Fed has raised 27 trillion since 2008 in bailouts and grants to member banks and international banks. So the one or so trillion needed is small change. What is needed is the treasury take control of the money issuance once again from the private monopoly of the IMF, BIS and Fed. The treasury can then direct funds as needed for the good of the people. so u r another of these mentally deranged conspiracy loons like Light who think the Fed is 'privately owned'. idiot I bet if I told you that the "sky is blue" - you would deny it. No, we wouldn't but guess who would? 'It stopped raining immediately when I started speaking'...

Come back when you have found conviction in the art of being certain.

Richdude wrote on Feb 20^th, 2017 at 2:27pm:

NorthOfNorth wrote on Feb 20th, 2017 at 9:15am: Richdude wrote on Feb 20th, 2017 at 2:07am: longweekend58 wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 5:09pm: Richdude wrote on Feb 19th, 2017 at 1:34pm: With due respect Bogarde. There is plenty of money to fix infrastructure. The Fed has raised 27 trillion since 2008 in bailouts and grants to member banks and international banks. So the one or so trillion needed is small change. What is needed is the treasury take control of the money issuance once again from the private monopoly of the IMF, BIS and Fed. The treasury can then direct funds as needed for the good of the people. so u r another of these mentally deranged conspiracy loons like Light who think the Fed is 'privately owned'. idiot I bet if I told you that the "sky is blue" - you would deny it. No, we wouldn't but guess who would? 'It stopped raining immediately when I started speaking'... Come back when you have found conviction in the art of being certain.

It's OK, Richdude, you just don't understand that you and your 'people' have elected what the rest of the world would consider the 'Ugly Yank'... A self-entitled no-nothing whose only feature louder than the ridiculous facade of his persona is the danger he poses to us.

Ask the Canadians... They're condemned to having to live next door to him.