Here's why U.S. infrastructure is lagging behind other countries | Just the FAQs

President Joe Biden introduced a sweeping $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs package that looks to reshape the American economy and make the most significant domestic U.S. investments in generations.

His far-reaching American Jobs Plan includes spending to repair aging roads and bridges, jump-start transit projects and rebuild school buildings and hospitals. It would also expand electric vehicles, replace all lead pipes and overhaul the nation’s water systems.

But the plan goes far beyond infrastructure.

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[nebbnht]

Can we also talk about how ridiculous it is that these huge single family developments are being built, but the taxes generated don't even cover the cost of maintaining all of the extra suburban roads?

[osmanhossain]

I want CALIFORNIA High-Speed Rails and more.

[danielhutchinson]

Since the owners of Standard Oil dictated a lot of priorities
we have seen the amount of money dedicated to consuming
fossil fuels increase, as our transportation system deteriorated.
Exxon Stock may do well, but we all seem to be unable to invest
in modern art, as the Rockefeller's
We do need to understand who owns the

[prodbyjohn]

It’s far more bigger problem than this video makes it to be. It has to do with how the infrastructure is fundamentally designed and can take decades to fix.

Youtube channel NotJustBikes goes in depth into this and also shows the financial impact of how bad the infrastructure is in the US. And this is just talking roads, highways and public transportation.

Far more has to be done than just to raise the US infrastructure budget, because of it’s fundamental flaws.

[bargdaffy]

Wouldn't Hospitals and Healthcare be part of Infrastructure consider we are "Human Capital"

[中華傲訣]

In the 1980’s, Reagan willingly decides to switch to neo liberal policies when govt participation or intervention should be used as minimal as possible and financial service were greatly emphasized.Thus from that day onwards. US manufacturing industry were relegated to outsourcing, to the point that manufacturing now only take up about 10% of US’s GDP. Financial services now occupied more than 80%of its GDP spending. So after 4 decades of inactivity from the manufacturing industry, US has lost the edge completely. Even if it start now, where would get the manufacturing expertise, managers, know- how to build infrastructure. Americans were taught from young to go to the financial and banking sector or be lawyers, sit behind the desk, looking at the rise and fall of stock prices, to get instant rewards and profits.

[johnpetersen]

We're also lagging behind in respectable leadership.

[osmanhossain]

I want railways, rails and railroads.

[thatrandomguyontheinternet]

When the USA is close to Belgium the country that had a gigantic flood you know it is bad

[KatariaGujjar]

I'll tell you the REAL reasons why,
▪︎ Once upon a time, (tangible) infrastructure investments were very lucrative, both for government and private sector; it provided a great return on investment. But this changed in the 80s and 90s with the proliferation of intangible financial instruments such as derivatives, stocks and bonds, or fiat assets which have greater ROI now than infrastructure investments.
▪︎ USA economic structure is more capitalist than socialist; meaning: income generation is prioritized higher than social wellbeing.
▪︎ Political structure is degraded - opposition parties focus more on defeating each other than serving the public. For example, if Republicans invested $30 billion in an infrastructure project that will take 10 years to complete, it will create short-term dissatisfaction (lost votes) from the sector where the money was originally going (i.e. education). Then, if they lose the future elections, Democrats will be there to celebrate when the project is complete (winning more votes). General public votes largely based on immediate situation. So, opposition parties avoid long term projects altogether.

[GongChaLover]

While the USA does lag behind other countries in infrastructure, I believe if we put our minds on improving our country, we can surpass any nation in the world. We Americans need to now open our eyes and understand that the stronger weapon in the modern era is education and infrastructural strength.

[sayanshome]

I wonder why Americans hates to travel through railways.

[myfoodishere]

american infrastructure is a joke. i'm from nyc living in china since 2012.the subway still isn't running at 100% in nyc and it never will. i moved to rizhao, shandong in 2013. since i got here they built a massive high speed rail terminal, an airport, aquarium, several libraries, and hospitals, at least at least over 30 new schools not counting kindergartens. 90% of this place was village when i got here and now its mostly high rises. when high rises are built on villages they get 2 free apartments and theyre way more modern than anywhere i ever lived in nyc. i grew up in a railroad apt built in the 1930's. this is why i choose to keep my son here in china. this government is willing to invest in it's people. ours isn't.

[RockX_Chris]

Luckily in my town in NJ, 2 yrs ago they spent $11 mill overhauling the high school, the town over is spending $30 mill rebuilding their even worse high school that we share a football team with, and they just repaved the entire crumbling main street from one side of town all the way to the other side! Plus all of NJ rt 208 is being repaved!

[Gsoda]

China doesn't count with all the tofu dreg construction falling apart there.

[darrenmasom]

Here in Canada we are always paving new highways and streets.

[TJ-TJ]

Here’s the fact, the hard facts: one third of bridges in America need repairing, just bridges alone and forget roads etc, the current proposal is not enough $ to repair the infrastructure. USA is a big and expansive country. So either increase the budget or don’t do anything at all and let everything collapse.

[PoolGyall]

Americans: Hey we need new highways and interstates

USA:Increased spending on our Navy?

Americans: No we need more funding for schools especially in poorer communities:

USA:Oh I get it more spending on police because the billions we already invest aren’t enough

[Walawala]

It's ok, we have the great arm force. But arm force is like a car, it depreciate and only acquired expenses. It is useless toward improving a country!

[maluksd]

Why China is not number 1 ob quality of infrastructure