Do gov't work projects, work?

[Iamme]

I heard on the radio the other day, about this tossed around plan, albeit possibly a pie-in-the-sky idea, about the government contracting out to build a 2000 mile wall at the Mexican border, to keep out illegal aliens.

Such a project would create lots of jobs, employ private industry and generate taxes.

Is there twisted logic here? Can these things work? (ANY work project funded by the government). Is this like welfare? In reality can such projects lead to inflation?

Where does the government get the money to pay all the contractors, who then pay the workers? Does the government sort of steal money from you, the tax payer, to do it? Or, just print up 'funny money' (which would diluter the economy/cause inflation?

During WWI, didn't our economy flourish? And if NOT...it sure did POST WWII. What happened? How was this so? But, during this Iraq war, they say it is COSTING us multitudes of billions. I don't gather that this war is a money maker for us. What's the differences between then, and now?

Suppose most of our country was destroyed.l Or, consider that we destroy it ourselves, on purpose. Suppose we still had all our resources and workers? Who would fund the rebuild efforts? Would this be considered an economic boon? Would there be a GNP during this rebuild process? IF this would work...then why not the Mexican wall project (or whatever)?

[Chaos]

A Mexican Wall?

We´ve had this Berlin Wall for about 30 years. Not exactly a source of pride. And it didn´t really work, either.

[BillyTK]

We've got Hadrian's Wall. It's a total failure, but I heard employment prospects were good during Roman times.

[Tmy]

This wall will suck away more money than its worth. Its oenthingto build and interstate highway system, orthe Hoover dam, those captial projects added great worth to our counttry.

A wall will cost so much, and wont really affect illegal immigration (most illegals enter legally). Whats the point of this wall.

[Ed]

Pink Floyd had a wall, sold pretty well as I recall

Price was high enough to keep the Mexicans out too

[Iamme]

Tmy---The Hoover Damn? Hmmmm. WAS this a 'works project'...or was a power company or group of such investors behind it? There is a big difference. One is free enterprise; the other is government (work project).

[Tmy]

I think lots of these big dams were govt projects. Some of these things are too big or not cost efficent for private investors. Like a bridge. Who would toss money behind a bridge project.???

[Iamme]

Ed---:D

Tmy---Hmmmm. The interstate system. There is something on-going about this highway system. They have to keep fixing it.:mad: (Thinking on this one. This WAS a government project. it was designed so that goods could be transported more quickly fo r the war effort. I never heard though that this was a money maker. iF it was, I wonder how so.)

[Tmy]

Originally posted by Iamme
Ed---:D

Tmy---Hmmmm. The interstate system. There is something on-going about this highway system. They have to keep fixing it.:mad: (Thinking on this one. This WAS a government project. it was designed so that goods could be transported more quickly fo r the war effort. I never heard though that this was a money maker. iF it was, I wonder how so.)

Could you imagine our country wh/o the highways?? Its been a boom to commerce and travel. Look how many business rely on the highwyas. Upkeep is a necessity.

[Crossbow]

This idea of a USA/Mexico wall has been floating around for years.

It has never been taken too seriously but it often shows up at times of economic distress in odd numbered years.

[Tony]

There are a few government work projects I would support:

A national (but eventually privatized) high-speed rail system.

A bridge connecting Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula.

Various monuments that (IMO) need to be built.

[Malachi151]

Plenty of govt works projects work, but this one sounds horrible.

Govt projects:

The Highway system, various damns and bridges, lots of our communications infrastructure, the police, fire, military, NASA, public schools... etc, etc....

[Tmy]

Originally posted by Tony
There are a few government work projects I would support:

A national (but eventually privatized) high-speed rail system.

A bridge connecting Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula.

Various monuments that (IMO) need to be built.

Monuments??? I never figured you for a monument guy, Tony.

Theres a local group trying to raise money for a monument. A CIVLA WAR MONUMENT!!!?!?? WTF , as if there arent enough civil war monuments in the country. Talk abouta waste of money.


Speaking of big projects, the BIG DIG is moving along and should be done soon. Its real perdy.! Now when I go to Boston, ill be stuck in traffic UNDERGROUND!!!

[Tony]

Originally posted by Tmy


Monuments??? I never figured you for a monument guy, Tony.


Monuments add interest and variety. Why wouldn’t I be for them?


Speaking of big projects, the BIG DIG is moving along and should be done soon. Its real perdy.! Now when I go to Boston, ill be stuck in traffic UNDERGROUND!!!

I like Boston's new beautiful bridge.

[Tmy]

Id figue youd see monuments as a waste of taxpayer money. They can be quite costly. I think its akin to feds funding the arts.

What monuments do you have in mind.