Crumbling nation? U.S. infrastructure gets a 'D'

[pres2032]

Engineers' report card covers 12 categories, sees decline vs. 2001
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7137552/

WASHINGTON - Crowded schools, traffic-choked roads and transit cutbacks are eroding the quality of American life, according to an analysis by civil engineers that gave the nation’s infrastructure an overall grade of D.

A report by the American Society of Civil Engineers released Wednesday assessed the four-year trend in the condition of 12 categories of infrastructure.

*snip*

"The condition of our nation’s roads, bridges, drinking water systems and other public works have shown little to no improvement since they were graded an overall D+ in 2001, with some areas sliding toward failing grades," the society said.

*snip*

It’s uncertain, the report said, whether schools can handle growing enrollment and smaller class sizes required by the No Child Left Behind Act. Grade: D.

[tridim]

1. America is broke, the infrastructure is crumbling

and we're ruled by a psychotic tyrant with dreams of world domination. Sound familiar?

[rkc3]

3. What's sad is that Pinky and the Brain could do a better job of

running this country.

[liberal N proud]

2. We can build roads and schools in Iraq but not at home

Just think of the billions of dollars spent on bombs for Iraq that we could have used to improve America!
I would rather have no government that the negative government we currently are oppressed by.

[rkc3]

4. Look at the voting records of the fuckwads in Congress.

I don't have the energy to do this - but I would guess that most every piece of critical legislation has been passed over for more pressing needs.

It's been 35 years since we were promised an energy Policy - none has been developed. But it takes two days to get Do Not Call legislation run through.

Pharma firms are going to get billions from us to keep their prices high and to get their products run through testing - and we can't keep terrorists from buying guns.

And we're supposed to look up to these assholes.

[natrat]

5. hey as long as certain groups are getting obscenely rich

and gays cant marry and the NAACP loses it's tax exempt status etc etc its alright-move along or you will get a billy club slammed into your face

[diamond14]

6. $ 280 BILLION for bush* WARS.. could have bought a LOT of infrastructure..

Americans are giving up decent schools, clean drinking water, disease-preventing sewer treatment, clean-up of waste dumps, and more...all for bush* WARS....it is worth it?


the THRILL OF THE KILL is what excites the bush* supporters...they'll give up EVERYTHING to KILL people half-way around the world....some even sacrifice up their own children to KILL for bush* war-profiteers, and cheer on bush*, as their children come home MAIMED or in a box....

[NewWaveChick1981]

7. How true (unfortunately)...

20+ years ago, roads and bridges were pretty good in most areas. These days (at least in the areas I've travelled), roads are deteriorating so badly (especially Federal roads such as interstates and US highways) that if they actually do get repaved, it's sometimes worse than not repaving at all. "Deferred maintenance" is the name of the game. In fact, in the last three years, there have been two bridges on interstates in my area that have had huge chunks fall out of them during heavy traffic. It was a good thing no one was killed. Inspections showed that the bridges were simply worn out and needed to be replaced altogether---but were just patched up, for better or worse.

And don't get me started about No Child Left Behind... what about No Common Sense Left Behind????