US is not really a democratic nation.

There are only 2 political parties, namely Democratic Party with President Joe Biden and Republican Party with former President Donald Trump. There are no other political parties representing the African Americans, the Latino and other minority races. 

The 2 political parties have been debating the amount and the need for infrastructure in the last few parliamentary sessions.

During Donald Trump’s four years in the White House, his administration often held “Infrastructure Week” events and touted transportation improvements. But it was not able to push Congress to pass any broad plan to update the nation’s roads and bridges, rails and airports.

President Joe Biden’s administration and lawmakers in recent weeks have begun laying the groundwork for a long-sought boost to the nation’s roads, bridges and other infrastructure of $2 trillion or more, to be unveiled after Congress approves legislation on COVID-19 relief.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has been meeting with lawmakers about the effort, says the aim would be to rejuvenate the post-coronavirus pandemic economy and boost crumbling roads and bridges while encouraging alternative forms of transportation to cars, as well as create thousands of green jobs by making environmentally friendly retrofits and public works improvements.

This is what the American Society of Civil Engineers said. America’s infrastructure is not functioning as it should.

America’s infrastructure has scored near-failing grades for its deteriorating roads, public transit and storm water systems due to years of inaction from the federal government, the American Society of Civil Engineers reports. Its overall grade: a mediocre C-.

In its “Infrastructure Report Card” released Wednesday, the group called for “big and bold” relief, estimating it would cost $5.9 trillion over the next decade to bring roads, bridges and airports to a safe and sustainable level. That’s about $2.6 trillion more than what government and the private sector already spend.

My experience

About 30 years ago, I drove from St Francisco to Los Angles. There were 6 roads for me to choose. All of them were already jammed with traffic and the air was so polluted.   

After 30 years, the 2 political parties are still debating!!!

US should follow China

Implementing high-speed rail (HSR) will provide the Americans with more transportation choices. It will also make sure that the people remain an economic engine, and meets the environmental and energy challenges of this century.

Investing in high-speed rail:

• Creates Jobs:
  Building high-speed rail will create hundreds of thousands of jobs.  Every $1 billion in investment creates 24,000 jobs. These are highly skilled jobs that will revitalize the domestic rail industries supplying transportation products and services. Many additional jobs are created through the commerce fostered through the economic activity and development which they spark.
• Increases Economic Activity:
  Every $1 invested creates $4 in economic benefits. Upgrading passenger operations on newly revitalized tracks, bridges and rights of way is spurring business productivity along corridors.  The rail services will connect Americans’ economically vital mega-regions and help keep them mobile, productive, efficient and internationally competitive.
• Reduces Congestion and Boosts Productivity:
  Congestion on our nation’s roads costs $140 billion in lost time and productivity.  The U.S. population is projected to grow by another 100 million people in the next 40 years. The population growth is creating mega-regions that will not prosper unless they can be freed from the stranglehold of highway and airport congestion. At the same time, the United States cannot build enough highway capacity or airport runways to meet demand.
• Reduces the Nation’s Dependence on Foreign Oil: 
  Implementing high-speed rail will keep billions of dollars in the U.S. economy by decreasing the amount of oil that the U.S. consumes.    According to the International Association of Railways (UIC), high-speed rail is eight times more energy efficient than airplanes and four times more efficient than automobile use. It will also decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
• Expands Travel Choices and Improves Mobility:
  High-speed rail can deliver people from one downtown to another as fast as or faster than air travel.  The addition of HSR as an integrated part of America’s transportation system will help airports work better and highways work better. It will also expand options for citizens in rural and small urban communities with increased transfer points and feeder services that connect with new HSR corridors.