Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Non-Tech : Money Supply & The Federal Reserve -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: yard_man who wrote (985)	9/14/2003 9:45:56 AM
From: Rarebird	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1379

<I work in the industry -- I don't make blanket statements about something I am completely ignorant about, rarebird.> In a report on the US/Canada blackout on CNN, America's highest engineering association had a spokesman come forward and lay down the blunt truth. The blunt truth is that America's infrastructure is coming apart at the seams. An analysis released on September 4 by the civil engineers warned about congested roadways, crumbling bridges and schools, and outdated drinking water systems. Then came the punch line: The US infrastructure needs $US 1.6 TRILLION invested in it - SOON - just to just bring it up to a useful state of repairs. That's $US 1.6 TRILLION or $US 1,600,000,000,000. What is President Bush asking Congress for? $US 87 Billion now and more later - to rebuild IRAQ! The US budget deficit has already passed the $US 500 Billion mark. The Treasury debt is an incomprehensible $US 6.8 TRILLION. The Bush Administration, the Treasury and the Federal Reserve seem completely unconcerned about it. asce.org evworld.com

To: yard_man who wrote (985)	9/14/2003 10:22:05 AM
From: Rarebird	Respond to of 1379

America's infrastructure is crumbling, engineers warn Friday, September 5, 2003 By JENNIFER C. KERR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON -- "America's infrastructure is coming apart at the seams, according to an analysis released yesterday by civil engineers, who warned about congested roadways, crumbling bridges and schools and outdated drinking water systems. In their report, the American Society of Civil Engineers said the condition of 12 key categories of infrastructure showed little or no improvement -- and in many cases worsened -- in the past two years. The organization's president, Thomas Jackson, said there are myriad examples of the problems, including last month's massive blackout in the Northeast and Midwest. In assessing trends since their 2001 report card, the group said the nation is "failing to even maintain the substandard conditions we currently have" for roads and bridges. The report said 75 percent of the nation's school buildings are inadequate. With population growth outpacing investment in schools, the engineers estimated that more than $127 billion would be needed to build new classrooms and fix old schools. Signs of decline were seen in energy transmission. The report said investment in transmission fell by $115 million a year, to $2 billion a year in 2000 from $5 billion in 1975. Meanwhile, the line grid capacity has not been upgraded to handle growth demands, the engineers said. In addition to population growth, the report cited a weak economy, limited federal programs and the threat of terrorism -- which diverted money to security -- as contributing to the nation's deteriorating infrastructure. Overall, the engineers recommended an investment of $1.6 trillion over five years. Congressional members on both sides of the aisle saw the report as a call to action. Rep. John Duncan, R-Tenn., said the needs are immediate. "I would say that if we can spend a billion dollars or more a week in Iraq that we should be doing the same types of things for the people in this country." The engineers want Congress to increase the user fee on gasoline by six cents to help pay for infrastructure projects." seattlepi.nwsource.com