Being for Infrastructure

Perhaps President-elect Obama has something when speaking of creating jobs through infrastructure. Having written the previous post earlier this morning, before the near disastrous scene unfolded in Maryland, I guess the money has to come from somewhere to rebuild old infrastructure. Creating infrastructure such as underground rails in cities like Detroit may also rebuild a saggy Michigan economy. It would create jobs and give people within Detroit and its suburbs a more efficient transportation choice.

Having struck a deal with City officials back in the day, I gather Henry Ford struck a deal that inhibited the buidling of a rail system within Detroit. This decision has had both a devastating and positive effect. For those who can afford to buy a car, this supports the car industry. But for a great many people who are unable to do so, this has been a handicap, especially for non-professional workers. The bus systems have gotten better but they are still lacking. Plus, an underground rail system would be much faster. Building such a system would bring jobs. We can most certainly have an underground rail system and an automobile industry. Perhaps we can have a cleaner rail system that relies on biodiesel or another kind of non-petroleum diesel? Likely? Dunno.

A few months back I attended a meeting of mayors and a local bus system that traverses various suburban cities. There has been a major push to have more buses that go straight from the suburbs that do not stop within City limits for time efficiency. But the whole premise seemed archaic when I listened in as an underground rail system would move much faster and include all cities and all people trying to get to their respective jobs. Detroit has been hampered by a great many things, including a rail system. But there are few cities with such great infrastructure. Henry Ford and Edison saw to this. But some ideas of the past must die so that new ones can bring rebirth. Investing in new kinds of infrastructure may be just what Detroit needs.