Senior Republican on Infrastructure: "The problem...is really more Republicans than Democrats."

(In the video above, President Roosevelt warns America about politicians who say they believe in one thing or another, but are unwilling to secure the necessary funding to actually get the job done. Original YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUZGkNAUSvY.)  

Republicans in Congress are having a hard time wrapping their heads around the fact that some type of revenue is needed to pay for infrastructure repairs and improvements. Their patron saint Ronald Reagan had the same mental stumbling block (but even he was not as obstinate as today's Republicans). The conservative movement has scratched its head over the past many years, asking, "Hmmm....so, we need revenue to pay for things?? That's weird."

The following was recently reported by the Huffington Post:

"Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said Tuesday that his own party is one of the main problems when it comes to finding a path forward on long-term, increased funding for the nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems...'The problem...is really more Republicans than Democrats...Clearly, this is something that we’re supposed to be doing. A true conservative looks at it and says...we’re supposed to defend America, and build roads and highways.'"

Inhofe is 80 years old, so when he says "true conservative" he may be thinking about Eisenhower Republicans - and those Republicans actually did care about America's infrastructure. But those Republicans, by and large, have been replaced with Paul Ryan Republicans. And Ryan Republicans are far more interested in protecting the fortunes of their political campaign donors than with infrastructure improvements that will strengthen the United States. That's why they're trying to eliminate the estate tax--a tax that only affects the wealthiest of the wealthy--and that's why, when President Obama proposed a large infrastructure plan, financed by taxes on tax-avoiding multi-national corporations, they called it "envy economics."

So, if you experience one of America's quarter-of-million annual water main breaks, or if you hit a pothole that permanently loosens your dashboard, be sure to remember Inhofe's words and put the blame where the blame belongs: Republicans.

(Also see, "$478B Infrastructure Bill Blocked By Senate GOP," The Fiscal Times, March 25, 2015, and "Senate GOP Blocks $60B Obama Infrastructure Plan," USA Today, November 3, 2011)