(Blogger’s note: I sent this letter to President Obama and several members of congress in 2014, several years prior the current Biden administration successfully passing infrastructure legislation.)

Attached is a diagram of most of the major elements that go into the repair, replacement, or construction of a new highway bridge. I drew this in an effort to show how many businesses, products, and people are needed to complete this type of infrastructure project. In addition to what is on the diagram, the following are also required: banking, transport (trucks, trains, and air), education and training, materials and design research, capital equipment acquisition and maintenance, office equipment and supplies, legal and accounting services, materials testing, traffic control, governmental review, permitting and inspection, and others I haven’t thought of.

So what is the point of this exercise?

Every element of all infrastructure upgrading requires labor, and every politician for as long as I can remember has been promising job creation. If the hundreds of bridges, roads, parts of the electrical grid, and other infrastructure needs are addressed, how many good jobs would be created? In most cases the wages are high enough to provide a reasonable standard of living or better.

Additionally, these projects will result in a safer and more secure country, generate employment, sales and/or state incomes taxes, permit fees, profits, investments, savings, and federal taxes. All the revenue generated will be spent, invested, or saved thereby creating another round of employment, investment, and taxes and on and on.

I understand the United States needs to have a strong, well-equipped, and trained military, but the world threats are rapidly changing and there will be less need for a large-standing Army, massive Navy, or Air Force. Further I know military hardware and munitions spending results in job creation. But great progress in remote capabilities will allow some military spending to be diverted to education and infrastructure investment.

So I guess I am trying to show there is value in government investment and it should not be looked at simply as cost.

Ken Kaiyala
2-19-2014