Thursday, May 23, 2019

Republicans aren't likely to pass taxes for infrastructure anyway

Trump walks out of meeting with congressional Democrats that was to be about infrastructure spending. Oh well, we can't increase infrastructure spending without raising taxes anyway; or maybe taking money from the military or adding to the debt. We can't do federal public infrastructure, that is. Private infrastructure; like toll roads can still be done and states can move forward also.

The fight wasn't about infrastructure, but it is the battle between Trump and the new Democratically elected House over investigations of the president. Investigations; even impeachment can take place in the House, but Trump is still highly protected by most of the Republicans in the Senate.

Beyond just the politics of Trump and Congress, the American people are divided. A good way toward better infrastructure is to raise the gas tax. A hard sell especially to Republicans, but to Democrats also. Democrats don't like regressive taxes, which a gas tax would be. They are reluctant to do this without raising taxes on the wealthy. Republicans are pretty set against the latter.

Trump might say, oh, hell, we've got almost full employment anyway without the damn infrastructure.

Yes, Americans are employed, but many are stuck in traffic, or unable to afford convenient housing.

Speaking of traffic, another question is, where are we going to put the infrastructure? In most cities, there is no room to add lanes to the freeway.

The old American way is no longer working. We need greener infrastructure, greener lifestyles and greener politics. Investigations or not, 2020 election is on its way. Are you going to vote?

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