5 Government Stimulus Projects That Fill You With Pride
A current theme among right-wing politicians today is that there needs to be more 'fiscal responsibility'. They go around trumpeting numbers and telling you that all government spending is bad, and act as though the government has never done anything right. They want you to believe that the government has never stimulated the economy. Well, I'm here to tell you that's not the case. I'm not going to give you a lesson in Keynesian economic theory, but I will show you that not all government spending is evil or wasteful. Here are 5 public works projects that we'd still be waiting for if they had to be funded by private corporations.
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Hoover Dam: This project was originally conceived in the late 1890s. After a few half-assed attempts by private companies, the U.S. government finally took over the planning and development of the project. It was approved by Congress in 1928 and completed in 1936; more than two years ahead of schedule. At the time of its completion, Hoover Dam was the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world.
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Blue Ridge Parkway: This is the only project on this list that was a part of FDR's New Deal. It was built solely as a means to create work for unemployed people in the Appalachian Mountains. Construction began in 1935, but wasn't fully completed until 1987; once the Great Depression was over, it was no longer a priority. Today it is the most visited site in the National Park System.
- The Panama Canal: The idea for a canal across the Isthmus of Panama has been around since the Age of Exploration. However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that technological advancements allowed for serious consideration for the construction of a canal. The first attempt, which was privately funded, failed miserably due to mismanagement (the people in charge were investors, not engineers) and a lack of knowledge about tropical diseases. Eventually, the U.S. government stepped in and funded the project, and it remains a vital international shipping link to this day.
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Mount Rushmore: One of the most famous monuments in America, Mount Rushmore cost less than $1 million and no lives were lost during its construction. Despite the low price tag, the only organization willing to fund the project was the federal government.
- Interstate Highway System: The United States has the best, most extensive network of superhighways in the world. Without the intervention of the Eisenhower administration, this would not be the case. Up until that point, roads were either built by states, municipalities, or private investors, which resulted in an inconsistent set of standards for speed, quality, width, etc. The Interstate Highway System is the largest public works project in U.S. history, with a price tag of $114 billion.
