The immense pride that we Americans share in our land is rooted in the actions of our ancestors and their ability to rise to the occasion in times of crisis and injustice. From the Revolution to World Wars to the ongoing civil rights campaigns of the 60s, we have always managed to come together and do what is necessary for the betterment of our lives and those of our descendants.
Now, America is faced with its new crisis, the economic crisis that has hit-home for far too many of us. But where does the solution to this common dilemma lie, and who will have the courage to enact it? The answer is in America’s crumbling infrastructure and President Obama’s proposed infrastructure Bill. With 33 percent of the nation’s major roads in “poor or mediocre condition,” “26 percent of bridges structurally deficient or functionally obsolete,” and “36 percent of the major urban highways congested,” the time to take action has come, and may soon pass.
Fortunately, President Obama has made that call to action with his Bill, proposing $50 billion in initial investments to create jobs rehabilitating our roads, highways, dams and bridges, and $10 billion to fund a national infrastructure bank that will bring an estimated return of 10-20 $billion in private sector investments.
While many right-wing conservatives oppose these measures, it is time for working class America to speak up. We have heard the call-to-arms, and now more than ever, we are ready to answer. Forget the beaurocratic prolonging processes, get the projects ready, and point us in the right direction, for like those that have come before us; we have the courage to fix this great nation.