Ever cruised down I-55 from Chicago to Memphis? It's a nice drive through America's heartland, perhaps a bit flat, but pleasant nonetheless. It's also a good reminder of one of the things that made America great, innovative and extensive infrastructure. The kind you can drive a semi-truck on for nearly six decades and it's still functional.
It is still functional albeit in need of repairs and crumbling in places. It was world class a few decades back, now, unfortunately, bridges may fall. One would think the greatest nation in the world would have good highways.
Of course, the problem isn't just the poor state of the highways, it's the poor state of a lot of things: bridges; trains; roads; and digital infrastructure. America is in need of a makeover.
What better time than now? After all, with so many Americans out of work, labor and other costs would be remarkably cheap. Furthermore, a 21st century infrastructure will encourage 21st century innovation, investment and job creation. Business is going digital, America needs to follow suit. Additionally, and I know bullet trains get laughed out of the room in this country, but what's wrong with speeding up how we travel? Think of the improvements in communication technology since the 1970s. We've gone from payphones to iPhones. Now think of the improvements in travel. We've gone from jumbo jets to jumbo jets. Why don't we want faster, more efficient travel in America? Time is money, Republicans, and I know how much you love money and are entirely beholden to it. Maybe the uber-rich want to travel more efficiently too.
The country needs investment right now. Infrastructure investment is not a new idea nor is it my idea although I've been preaching it for quite some time now. No one likes falling bridges, no one likes potholes and no one likes slow internet that always cuts out when they need it most. America needs investment and an infrastructure upgrade. Let's make them both happen at once.
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