Obama Absolutely Right about Need for More Infrastructure Spending

Recently Obama talked about an issue that I agree with, one of spending more on infrastructure. He noted China spends 9% on infrastructure while the United States only spends 2%. Having a personal experience with the US highway and rail system and that of China and Germany, I must say that the US if far behind. Not only do we not have sufficient light rail, we do not have modern mass transit systems necessary for increased efficiency and health of the metropolitan citizens. I agree that construction work on these projects will not only create jobs, but will sustain the livelihoods of those impacted by an improved infrastructure.

Unlike the wars we are spending trillions of dollars on over the past years, infrastructure spending would be a fraction of that cost and the benefits remain at home. I agree that spending on construction is better than spending on destruction, or simply giving banks loads of cash to use at their discretion after greedy actions that escalated our economic problems. However, I am disappointed it has taken so long for Obama to really stress one of his initial campaign promises. An improved infrastructure will mean faster rides to work, or being able to walk where you want to go, and a better mass transit system will mean less pollution from cars.

See below for photos of high speed trains boasted by other countries.

JR-Maglev at Yamanashi, Japan test track in November, 2005

Shanghai Maglev Leaving Pudong Airport