In an economy like the one that we live in today, there are many people who are searching an easy fix to this staggering financial crisis. But with unemployment rates rising and much of the stimulus already spent, it seems that there isn't a simple solution. In an attempt to remedy this situation, President Barack Obama plans to invest over 50 billion dollars into infrastructure. This includes rebuilding and renovating over 150 thousand miles of roads and over 150 miles of airport runways, as well as over four thousand miles of new rail construction. In addition to this, he also plans on installing a new air traffic system that is designed to reduce flight time as well as delays. You may be asking yourself, "what the hell is spending my tax dollars on infrastructure going to do for the economy?" The idea is simple enough: In the short term, it hires construction workers, electricians, welders, and other similar workers and gives them much needed jobs that they can complete over the long term. Personally, I think that this idea isn't so bad, considering it will (hopefully) make transportation regular car-less people like me as far as railways and efficient air travel go. Conversely, it might be detrimental to people who do own cars because some of the money that is going towards these infrastructure improvements is coming from tax breaks and other subsidies that the government is giving oil companies, which will most likely raise gas prices.
Overall, I thought this article was a good read because it gives insight into how Obama plans on stimulating our economy for both short term and long term improvements. We might not NEED 150 thousand miles or road improvement, but if it means that it will indirectly make the value of my parent's house go back up, it's fine by me.
Article: Time Politics
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