Hidebound, doctrinaire conservative economists whose theories long ago were fossilized will blanch at the idea. But the reality of America's destitute economy demands extraordinary government measures to restore the nation's financial vigor and, simultaneously, launch an epochal repair and rebuilding of the country's exhausted national infrastructure.
The next president and Congress must quickly enact a dramatic program to rehabilitate worn-out and inadequate waterworks, dams, roads and bridges, schools, electrical grids, airports and other public services so essential to a nation's functioning efficiently. Such a program would create millions of jobs, resume the flow of paychecks to millions of strapped households and revitalize consumer spending.
How big is the job? The American Society of Civil Engineers pegged costs in 2005 at $1.6 trillion over five years, with each state benefiting from jobs, spending on public facilities and energized local economies. For each $1 billion spent, ASCE estimates 47,500 jobs would be created annually, totaling 5 million jobs.
This gigantic public works program would have the functional resemblance to other notable national feats.
In the 1800s, Washington jump-started the economy with canals and the transcontinental railroad. The coast-to-coast electrical grid in the early 1900s triggered an industrial boom. President Franklin Roosevelt's Great Depression relief programs—principally the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps—between 1935 and 1943 built 651,087 miles of roads, streets and highways, built or repaired 124,031 bridges, 125,110 public buildings, 8,192 parks and 853 airports, and created works of art in film, paintings and literature.
After World War II, President Eisenhower fathered the interstate highway system—46,837 miles of transcontinental highways—employing thousands over 35 years and costing, in 2006 dollars, $426 billion.
Add to the list NASA's space program, whose spin-offs have enriched health and science.
Impetus for a vast, new, crash public-works program can begin in the states where needs are urgent.
Not the least is Idaho. The ASCE estimates that Idaho has over $700 million in deferred maintenance of roads and bridges, whose disrepair costs motorists an additional $216 each in annual vehicle damage. Idaho dams need $105 million in work, and $515 million is needed over 20 years for water works improvement. At least 56 percent of the state's public schools need repairs.
Costly, yes. But history proves such government crash programs energize the economy.
If Washington can spend $120 billion per year on rebuilding and securing Iraq, surely the American homeland in its desperate hours deserves at least the same urgent attention.
