Infrastructure

been thinking lately - the American Society of Civil Engineers' 4-year infrastructure report, there's one coming up for 2009. the one from 2005 is absolutely abysmal. I've seen a few stories lately - a current in the news - about the lack of stimulus $ being put towards infrastructure.  

also been reading The War Within by Bob Woodward, which goes into some detail about the feeling that many American military commanders & civilian officials had about the way to "win" Iraq being to improve water, electricity, sewage, etc. rather than just kill dudes. which was/is true, of course.  

also the failure of Iran to use its oil wealth to invest in infrastructure as a big reason for its shit economy (Russia w/same problem but much worse) & hence a huge factor in fostering discontent.  

anyways, infrastructure:  

1) is one of the many incredibly important but also very boring things that people don't want to think about. see also: tax law, financial regulation, demographics, military/security (not the sexy stuff, the logistics/procurement end of things), etc. 

2) cuts right to the chase - either roads are paved or they aren't. you have electricity or you don't. agendas stop at the door. 

3) has no quick fixes. you have to put in work & $ continuously. also poor infrastructure leads to poor economy leads to poor infrastructure & so on cycle. 

4) often transcends or trumps political/religious/cultural divides. anyone want to recommend some boring but relevant pdfs, books, things to be reading?

here's the ASCE's blog on U.S. failing infrastructure