850 Billion Dollar Stimulus Package

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by PURPLE TIGER, Dec 17, 2008.

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  1. DRC

    DRC TigerNator

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    The problem with government funded projects on roadway infrastructure is the historically inefficient and over priced results. Its very specific to a segmented industry that has limited wide ranging effect. It will only provide a marginal employment gain when compared to construction surrounding the housing market.

    Inner city reconstruction should be left to private entities with market demand dictating its course. I am strongly opposed to any large government infusion to re-build low cost housing. This has already been done in many areas and you can see the results first hand. It doesnt work.
     
    DRC, Dec 22, 2008
    #11
  2. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    Developers will always choose to overdevelop the suburbs rather than redevelop abandoned properties downtown because of the demolition costs involved. The government could just remove the blighted commercial structures and allow private developers to then develop the properties.

    Memphis did this in the 60's and 70's, demolishing block after block of old brick warehouses, abandoned hotels, and crumbling commercial buildings from the turn of the century. The wide open spaces were nicer, even when they weren't redeveloped right away. Trees and grass are nicer than gutted old buildings.
     
    red55, Dec 22, 2008
    #12
  3. Bandit88

    Bandit88 Old Enough to Know Better

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    I like that idea. First step in the "broken windows" theory.
     
    Bandit88, Dec 22, 2008
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  4. DRC

    DRC TigerNator

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    It has more to do with demand for the finished product. Urban development is largely dead across the country. There's nobody to buy the developers product in urban areas and the masses wont patronize it anyway.

    Paying the property owner a reasonable market value then bulldozing is cheaper than throwing government money at reconstruction/redevelopment.
     
    DRC, Dec 22, 2008
    #14
  5. TheDude

    TheDude I'm calmer than you.

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    I would pay extra to knock a couple of abandoned buildings down in Houston. Puzzles me how I see high rises going up, and none coming down.
     
    TheDude, Dec 22, 2008
    #15
  6. CParso

    CParso Founding Member

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    "Public Works" don't really work. Projects of this nature require specialized workers, which is why these contracts go out to contractors.
     
    CParso, Dec 22, 2008
    #16
  7. CParso

    CParso Founding Member

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    I do believe that a lot of the things that the money will go to need it. The infrastructure of our country should be one of the government's primary responsibilities and they have failed us on it.

    However, I do not think it will make a substantial difference to the economy. It will be more about making people feel better and like the government is helping, which will hopefully make them feel like spending money.

    A recession is purely based on psychology, and any amount of help the government provides can only help influence that psychology - the money itself will have almost no effect.
     
    CParso, Dec 22, 2008
    #17
  8. StadiumSalute

    StadiumSalute It's Gameday!

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    The old Days Inn and the Savoy to name a couple...

    I see these and other eyesores out the window every day from my office.
     
    StadiumSalute, Dec 23, 2008
    #18
  9. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    It's not the place for retail sales, perhaps, but it is a prime location for office buildings, lawyers, restaurants, hotels, banks, government buildings, and condo's.
     
    red55, Dec 23, 2008
    #19
  10. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    Well, yeah! Big public works projects create jobs in every sector. Contractors hire firms and hire people to do the actual work.

    • Knowledge jobs -- designers, engineers, enviromental scientists, accountants, lawyers, surveyors, cartographers, etc.
    • Service jobs -- caterers, local restaurants and businesses, transportation, rental housing, hotels, etc.
    • Government jobs -- inspectors and regulators.
    • Skilled labor -- equipment operators, steelworkers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, truckers, concrete finishers etc.
    • Unskilled labor -- flagmen, rodmen, apprentices and helpers, manual laborers of all kinds.
    • Employees of related businesses -- concrete plants, steel mills, gravel operations, trucking companies, lumber mills, heavy equipment manufacturers, railroads, barge fleets, testing labs, etc.
    Plus the money these people earn goes into the local retail markets as they buy housing, food, cars, tuition, etc. causing these business to staff up.
     
    red55, Dec 23, 2008
    #20
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