Clinton: Bad roads, bridges harm economy

[kfrost06]

CONCORD, N.H. - Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton is arguing that unsafe bridges, crowded seaports and clogged highways endanger the economy as well as putting the public at risk.

Last week's fatal bridge collapse in Minneapolis underscores the critical need for infrastructure improvements nationwide, Clinton said in remarks prepared for delivery Wednesday afternoon in New Hampshire.

She proposed spending $10 billion over 10 years to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, waterways and seaports.

"Something is very, very wrong when, at the dawn of the 21st century, in the richest country on earth, people are actually nervous about driving over bridges for fear that they'll collapse. Or they're worried that their levees may burst, or their highways may buckle," she said. "The degradation of our infrastructure isn't just a serious threat to our safety — it is also a grave threat to our economy."

The New York senator also proposed providing $250 million in grants so states can review their bridges and other structures and forming a commission to review safety certification standards and develop better ways to prioritize needed repairs on bridges and roads.

To modernize the nation's infrastructure, she would increase federal funding for public transit by $1.5 billion per year and target it to communities that have encouraged residential development that makes the best use of public transportation. Federal funding for intercity passenger rail services would increase by $1 billion over five years.

Seaports also should be a priority given the importance of foreign trade to the nation's economy, she said.

"We do not need any more wake up calls," Clinton said. "It is time to stop wringing our hands and start rolling up our sleeves."

Clinton also would increase funding for the Department of Transportation's congestion reduction programs by about 50 percent, to $600 million a year and would promote telecommuting by encouraging its use in federal agencies and spending up to $50 million a year to support state and local initiatives.

[kfrost06]

I think the bridge collapse in Minneapolis is Bush's fault! Had we had a real leader like Clinton it never would have happened! Did any bridges collapse when the first Clinton was president? NO and we need Hilary to prevent it from happening again! Too bad she didn't say anything earlier, like before the bridge collapsed.

[Hoggage_54]

I think the bridge collapse in Minneapolis is Bush's fault! Had we had a real leader like Clinton it never would have happened! Did any bridges collapse when the first Clinton was president? NO and we need Hilary to prevent it from happening again! Too bad she didn't say anything earlier, like before the bridge collapsed.

There is no mention of Bush. Notice how she said we do not need any more wake up calls? She makes a valid point and you are trying to politicize it.

[Superhuman]

**** THIS BITCH, she is just playing on everyone's emotions. "WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BRIDGE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS ****ED IT UP" Whatever...

I will be the first to organize a coup d'e tat and take this evil woman out of office should she be elected. You know, if there weren't an age requirement to be President I would run right now.

There are sooooo many things I would change in this nation right now it is sickening.

[Kratos]

The bridge was first reported unsafe durring the 1990's.

[Panzerfaust]

Only a goddamn anti-American communist would vote for that ****ing bitch!

Just taking a tragedy and spinning it to make her look like she would actually change something. The only thing that is guaranteed that that bitch would change is her tampon.

[BgMc31]

Only a goddamn anti-American communist would vote for that ****ing bitch!

Just taking a tragedy and spinning it to make her look like she would actually change something. The only thing that is guaranteed that that bitch would change is her tampon.

Considering Clinton takes money from lobbyists at a huge rate therefore furthering our capitalistic society, I doubt any communists would voter for her.


And...

Don't all politicians (dems, reps, indies) all play on the emotions of the general public? Didn't republicans win the last predential elections by playing on people's fears about terrorism and the war in Iraq? That's just playing politics and the way to get elected and it is always seen as a negative if a candidate shows no emotion or concern about the emotions of the public.

[Panzerfaust]

"Something is very, very wrong when, at the dawn of the 21st century, in the richest country on earth, people are actually nervous about driving over bridges for fear that they'll collapse. Or they're worried that their levees may burst, or their highways may buckle," she said. "The degradation of our infrastructure isn't just a serious threat to our safety — it is also a grave threat to our economy."

She has done nothing but play on the emotions of the American people in that situation and turned it around to mkae it sound like she will fix it so that it never happens again. You must remembere that humans are emotional people and can act on their emotions instead of their brain. That is why she made such a statement. For Votes!


A true American politician would have said this:

Something is very, very wrong when, at the dawn of the 21st century, in the richest country on earth, people are actually starving to death and unemployment is so high. That drug dealers and gangs are roaming the streets making once safe neighbourhoods unsafe. "The degradation of our immigration policies are the result of a catastrophic cost to American taxpayers — it is also a grave threat to our economy"


But why tackle the issues that concern the average citizen when you can blow smoke and have no intentions on making good on any promise except the ones you made to your financial backers who are spending millions to fund your campaign. They all sold us out years ago people and its abouit goddamn time we as a nation wake up and take our country back. It would only take people banding together, the media will tell you it makes no difference, bullshit it does too.