And to put a ban on people moving into CA would put a whole new twist on ‘border patrol’, yikes! CA has a lot of border area to cover. Or waiting for someone to die to have a baby would really give Arnold back his title as the Terminator. The city of Oakland would have a really quick turnaround of new babies!

All kidding aside, I really have to agree that this mess we are in was caused by reckless spending. And I find it disturbing to see bylines on the news like: “No SSI cost-of-living increase from state; 10% Medi-Cal cut remains in budget; K-12 schools get state-minimum budget.” Are these the areas we want to tighten our belts? It is definitely a ‘fine mess we’ve gotten ourselves into’ and that is why I ponder the choice of road maintenance over education costs, etc. I think the real estate crisis has become the big infected ‘boil’ that we don’t have enough ointment to cure. I wish I did know the answer!

Again, thank you for your input because it is very much appreciated!

The Washington/Osgood ‘bridge’ is part of a 5-year project to separate the trains from cars and pedestrians, alleviate congestion, noise (train whistling in the neighborhood), and provide a path for BART to Warm Springs and parts south. It initially came up back in the late 90’s and was formalized in 2002. So not exactly a recently decided ‘pretty convenience’ to help cars avoid the bumps.

Monies for the project are encumbered funds from grants and bonds. Diverting to other uses would be fraud, allowing the investors in the bonds to sue for damages, putting the city and thus the residents on the hook for additional millions of dollars.

Regardless, everyone loses when you rob Peter to pay Paul. Which is the basic problem at the state and national level and was reflected in the housing run-up. We don’t need rainy day funds! It always goes up in perpetuity.

City of Fremont homepage – click on Grade Separation for more info.

They did only add a lane in each direction for the Mission project (HOV). But they are also adding a Warren Ave overpass for local traffic. Instead of the current having to curl around and back up the combined off/ramp traffic onto the freeway. There will also be direct off/on ramps from 880 to Mission alleviate congestion and get everyone through faster.

Eventually they will widen Mission to three lanes each way, fix the ramps at Kato and continue the BART/train v traffic/pedestrian grade separation as BART moves past Warm Springs and south.

City of Fremont homepage. Click on Roadwork Information and the 880/Mission link pops up.

Of course both projects should probably be scrapped as they are only improving some piss-ant roads to handle growing populations which are transitorily questionable in the near term as job growth slows. Its not like it takes years to complete the work or anything.

Economies are cyclic. Mass transit and roadway construction take time. If you shelve long-term projects every time the economy hits the toilet you only fall further and further behind in your ability to handle future growth.

The other real choice is to limit population growth. Either bar people from moving into the area unless someone moves out and/or institute a ban on child bearing within the region. Until someone kicks the bucket you can’t reproduce. Get your name on the list early so you might have a chance at having a kid when some does die.

I don’t think many people would be happy with either solution.

The Washington/Osgood ‘bridge’ is part of a 5-year project to separate the trains from cars and pedestrians, alleviate congestion, noise (train whistling in the neighborhood), and provide a path for BART to Warm Springs and parts south. It initially came up back in the late 90’s and was formalized in 2002. So not exactly a recently decided ‘pretty convenience’ to help cars avoid the bumps.

Monies for the project are encumbered funds from grants and bonds. Diverting to other uses would be fraud, allowing the investors in the bonds to sue for damages, putting the city and thus the residents on the hook for additional millions of dollars.

Regardless, everyone loses when you rob Peter to pay Paul. Which is the basic problem at the state and national level and was reflected in the housing run-up. We don’t need rainy day funds! It always goes up in perpetuity.

http://www.fremontgradesep.com/index.html

They did only add a lane in each direction for the Mission project (HOV). But they are also adding a Warren Ave overpass for local traffic. Instead of the current having to curl around and back up the combined off/ramp traffic onto the freeway. There will also be direct off/on ramps from 880 to Mission alleviate congestion and get everyone through faster.

Eventually they will widen Mission to three lanes each way, fix the ramps at Kato and continue the BART/train v traffic/pedestrian grade separation as BART moves past Warm Springs and south.

http://www.ci.fremont.ca.us/Construction/RoadworkInformation/I-880atMissionBoulevardInterchangeProject.htm

Of course both projects should probably be scrapped as they are only improving some piss-ant roads to handle growing populations which are transitorily questionable in the near term as job growth slows. Its not like it takes years to complete the work or anything.

Economies are cyclic. Mass transit and roadway construction take time. If you shelve long-term projects every time the economy hits the toilet you only fall further and further behind in your ability to handle future growth.

The other real choice is to limit population growth. Either bar people from moving into the area unless someone moves out and/or institute a ban on child bearing within the region. Until someone kicks the bucket you can’t reproduce. Get your name on the list early so you might have a chance at having a kid when some does die.

I don’t think many people would be happy with either solution.

I think you said it yourself, these projects (airports, roads, etc.) were put in place LONG before the housing market failed.

And as Brandon pointed out, public works programs create jobs which is far better for the economy than giving money to people who make bad decisions about which mortgage they can afford.

Money which is pumped into public works projects such as the ones you describe has a “constructive” purpose because it creates jobs and flows down through the local economy. Where did those bulldozers and tools come from? Furthermore, the project has net output or “value added” such as a bridge, highway, etc.

Handing out money to homeowners to prop up high real estate prices does not have this effect. It generates no useful output, reduces the capital available for other projects, and shrinks the economy through inflation.

Also, your bank account is insured by the FDIC which is already a government entity. You would be more correct in mentioning car insurance or extended warranties (some of AIG’s business sectors).