In 2008 Mr. Obama and the Democrat majority Congress passed a bill to spend 800 billion on infrastructure fixing, job creating, nation rebuilding, American recovery, and reinvestment. That paid for third world dictator sized signs telling us that something was happening, but Democrats have different ideas about what “infrastructure” is than the rest of us. Most of that money, after they paid for the signs, was invested in political cronies like unions.
Investing in infrastructure meant Taxpayers paid to keep reliable Democrat voters employed at the expense of everyone else. We propped up automakers, local school budgets, anywhere there were Democrat donors in danger of being let go, the Democrats Recovery and Reinvestment Act invested in that infrastructure.
Real infrastructure didn’t get much attention and Democrats continued to run for office on being the folks who would focus on that problem. I don’t think everyone believed them.
Since 2010 fewer Democrats than ever are serving in elected office.
So who’s going to do something about leading the way on job creating, making America Great Again infrastructure projects? Mr. Trump has some ideas.
On January 24th, 2017 President Trump signed a series of memoranda/Executive Orders to accelerate infrastructure improvements that should have Democrats applauding.
Federal infrastructure decisions should be accomplished with maximum efficiency and effectiveness, while also respecting property rights and protecting public safety and the environment. To that end, it is the policy of the executive branch to streamline and expedite, in a manner consistent with law, environmental reviews and approvals for all infrastructure projects, especially projects that are a high priority for the Nation, such as improving the U.S. electric grid and telecommunications systems and repairing and upgrading critical port facilities, airports, pipelines, bridges, and highways.
This sticky sweet language could just as easily have dripped off the pages of any Democrat Party or candidate press release. Public safety. Environment. Priority. Nation. Grid. Airport. Bridge. Highway. Wait, pipeline? Efficiency? Effectiveness?
Hold the damn donkey’s Willis, whatyoutalkinabout?
In keeping with earlier missives, President Trump is directing agencies and departments to fast-track the important stuff and wherever the law allows, to get the hell out of the way.
Under Obama and his State Department, Keystone XL absorbed years of examination, time, resources, commentary and headlines. They knew it was politically inexpedient to be inexpedient, but they didn’t want to just say no. Leave it to rot and rot it did. Yesterday Trump (basically) said Get it done, dammit.
“…the Secretary of State should issue a Presidential permit for any cross-border pipeline project that “would serve the national interest.”
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct as follows:Sec. 2. Invitation to Submit an Application. I hereby invite TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. (TransCanada), to promptly re-submit its application to the Department of State for a Presidential permit for the construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a major pipeline for the importation of petroleum from Canada to the United States.”
This is a project that can create jobs at no cost to taxpayers. Jobs in America. Paychecks deposited in American banks. Money spent at American restaurants, stores, and other venues. Income that would have a net impact by reducing other taxpayer costs like food stamps, unemployment, welfare, and tax-subsidised health care while adding tax revenue at the local, state, and national level.
Keystone will bring friendly Canadian Oil to US refineries who employ Americans and create even more tax revenue up and down the government food chain.
Democrats oppose all of it because their ideology includes a zealous devotion to climate cult worship. They also prefer to create government jobs. Mr. Trump disagrees.
He is pushing to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline.
He is asking that government reduce burdens on manufacturing.
Expediting Environmental reviews for High-Priority Infrastructure Projects is also on tap.
No, none of this actually moves a shovel or even moves a bureaucrat. Not directly. But it does send a message to Congress, the bureaucracy, and the nation, and lays the important groundwork.
The Trump Administration sees the government as more of a problem than a solution. If they can get the government out of the way, the American people will find a way to make the things happen with their time, money, and ingenuity. Things they want and need, based on their priorities, not those of the political class in Washington.
Democrats will hate it. So will some ‘Republicans.’
Good.
