Poor Infrastructure Part 2

 

When I began my research into the infrastructure issues in this country, I started with how states divided up the funding they receive through taxes from lottery winnings. I was surprised to discover that every state claims it puts that money into education, but in fact, it allocates it to general funding. General funding is supposed to take care of infrastructure and maintain social service programs. In reality, that money doesn’t get spent on what is needed; instead, it goes into elected officials’ pork projects that might help get them reelected. This, my fellow citizens, is robbery and should be dealt with on a state level before the next election. Accordingly, I believe that a strong commitment to public infrastructure has rarely been achieved in America, both sought after and hard to realize.

As I delved deeper into the government programs, I remembered the programs FDR created under his New Deal Series of economic, social, and political reforms that he introduced in 1935. Three programs dubbed the “3 R’s” covered Relief for the Unemployed, Recovery of the economy to bring it back to normal levels, and prevent the Repeat of the disaster of the depression. His New Deal also created several other programs the AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Administration) that paid farmers to grow certain foods on their farms and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) which hired able bodied men foer manual labor on government owned land, creation of the electrical grid and economic development programs such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the drainage of the Tennesee River Basin.

Although the first phase of the New Deal focused on economic recovery, it also addressed key issues, such as the Banking Act of 1933 and the creation of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). FERA aimed to reduce unemployment by generating unskilled jobs in local and state governments. While these positions were costlier than cash assistance, they offered a vital boost to the self-esteem of those unemployed. From May 1933 to December 1935, FERA allocated $3.1 billion (equivalent to $70.8 billion today), supporting over 20 million people and enhancing public facilities nationwide. In 1938, FERA was renamed the Works Progress Administration and was responsible for the construction of bridges, libraries, parks, and other facilities. It also branched out into creating the Fair Labor Standards Act, whereby prohibited child labor and created the 40-hour work week that we know today. Unfortunately, the only thing the New Deal Act produced was the labor coalitions and unions we know today. By World War II, everyone thought the Tammany Hall gang members were taken down, but during the war, they were regrouping and redesigning their efforts into something new. We now know them as labor Unions, such as the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, and other union organizations that control workers. Not only do they control workers, but they also use them for bargaining power to gain more power over the industries they supposedly support. They use that power to force politicians to do their bidding in exchange for their support during an election. They buy and sell those same workers' rights at every given turn, not caring for their jobs, their families, and their financial futures. After all, those same employee’s have already paid their dues to stay in the union that doesn’t give a damn about them in the first place.

Now let’s talk about the lack of roads, bridges, and airports not being maintained. In 1956, President Eisenhower was convinced that there should be a Federal-Aid Highway Act, which would pave the way for modern transport networks that transformed national connectivity and commerce.

Our roads across America are a disgrace, filled with potholes and broken asphalt or cement, causing vehicle damage. This causes roads to be unstable during bad storms. Case in point, roads being washed away during heavy rainstorms as in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee this past year.  

Now let’s look at the Bridges that require repairs, yet instead fall apart during high commuter travel time. Bridges are falling down, causing death and destruction due to failed maintenance. Where is the money allocated for road and bridge maintenance, dogged by state legislator leaders? Whose pockets are being lined up by such payments?

With the introduction of the internet, we find so many companies latching onto their ability to use the internet for commerce and communications. Unfortunately, not all Americans can afford the high prices of the internet. This is where the SEC, Securities and Exchange Commission, comes into play. The SEC is supposed to ensure that companies cannot become a monopoly, which could cause financial collapse in the economy. Unfortunately, while companies aren’t collapsing, individuals are financially collapsing under the burden of costs associated with simple living. Millions lack affordable broadband or the basic ability to communicate with the outside world. 

The American public has suffered from persistent infrastructure problems, largely due to a lack of political will. It’s time for leaders to step up and take action! Investing in our infrastructure is crucial for building a better future together. Plus, it has to do with securing our National Security. 

During President Joe Biden's time in office with the help of the 117th Congress together they redesigned the New Deal act and came up with  three new names resembling the same programs as I mentioned above, but this time they called it “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” “The American Rescue Plan,” and “The Inflation Reduction Act”.  Collectively, these initiatives would invest more than $1.2 trillion into vital improvements in transportation, clean water, and climate resilience. Unfortunately, those allocated dollars went into the pockets of Congressional friends and donors who were listed as contractors for the same programs in their home districts. We’ve not seen any improvements in the states where the money was sent. Talk about bogus programs and theft.

What was supposed to help empower communities nationwide, urban and rural alike, to pursue their aspirations and address pressing challenges effectively isn't happening at all. Instead, it's hindering every state across the country due to elected officials who are more interested in lining their pockets than in helping their fellow Americans survive and thrive.

The federal government must better address the challenges faced by small cities as well as large cities. Instead of appointing political appointees to high positions, they need to appoint people who know how to build bridges, roads, and critical infrastructure such as power, communication lines, and water lines within a grid. This approach should be standard for all agencies working with local areas.

Federal investments ought to cover a range of pivotal areas, including:

- Technical assistance 

- Support for local innovation 

- Data management capabilities  

- Strong project management 

These elements are essential for fostering effective and sustainable growth.

 Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing, with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, gouache, and pastels. As a political operative who has worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs ranging from art to life coaching, food, writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week.

 

Poor Infrastructure Maintenance

 

Poor Infrastructure Maintenance

Neglecting infrastructure costs the U.S. billions every year! Yet our state legislatures tax us through sales, real estate, vehicle registration, and property taxes, claiming it’s to improve maintenance infrastructure for better living. Yeah Right. Whose pocket is this money going into these days?

Last month, I researched where lottery taxes go in each state, and I was shocked to find that it went into a general fund in most states for this very issue, even though they say it is for education costs, when the schools never see that money. Instead, it goes into general funds, which means the elected officials in each state can use it for whatever they want to use it for, redecorate their offices? They don’t use it for road repairs, bridge repairs, wildlife preservation or even waterway clean-up projects, which most states claim to use it for, but don’t.

Many states charge tolls for using roads and bridges, but never put that money in an account so that their department of transportation can allocate it for said road or bridge repairs. So, where does that money go? 

Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey use taxpayers' funds to fix roads and mini-bridges. How do we know that is happening, because The Big Dig in Boston has been going on for about 30 years now, with no end in sight. New York has supposedly been fixing roads and bridges for the last 25 years, just look at the traffic backups on the Belt Parkway, the LIE, and the George Washington Bridge over the last 25 years, and they charge a toll for all three with high-priced ticket prices. Same goes for New Jersey, just take a ride on their city/county roads and you’ll find a pothole every few feet.

When bridges collapse during inclement weather, that should tell you something is very wrong within your state. Like what happened in Pennsylvania during a snowstorm that injured a number if people. 

Look at the rest of the country, and your eyes will pop out of your head at deferred maintenance impacts, financial burdens on taxpayers, and so-called smart strategies for proactive care that never happen.

My friends in Washington, DC, claim that investing in infrastructure enhances accessibility, fights poverty, ensures safe drinking water, and safeguards vital assets. While I can agree with that statement, I don’t see it happening throughout the United States. How do I know this? Because I’ve traveled across this great nation for many years, driving across it multiple times and the one consistent problem I’ve seen is poor infrastructure maintenance.

If each state actually were conducting proactive infrastructure maintenance with taxpayer dollars, they could actually reduce long-term repair costs while improving public safety both on the roads and bridges within their state. They might actually prevent sickness by cleaning their water systems and maintaining them properly.

When Politicians don’t understand that neglecting infrastructure maintenance it leads to hidden costs and economic burdens for communities.

Today, we have advanced technologies that can help enhance maintenance efficiency by providing real-time data and predictive analytics that could help save money in the long run, but elected officials claim their experts disagree with such technology. Wonder why? Maybe because those experts are being paid off to keep their jobs.

I’ve heard that the Department of Transportation at the federal level wants to work with each state by conducting collaborative approaches to infrastructure maintenance that foster economic growth and stakeholder engagement, but many states don’t want to work with the DOT because of politics.

With the number of unemployed in this country, why aren’t we creating a workforce development program like FDR created and called the Works Progress Administration (WPA)? The WPA was a vital New Deal agency from 1935 to 1943, providing jobs for millions during the Great Depression. Under Harry Hopkins' leadership, it funded public projects like roads and schools, creating over 620,000 miles of streets and thousands of bridges. This program could be  crucial and beneficial to addressing the skills gap in infrastructure maintenance.

Unfortunately, the majority of our elected officials on the federal, state, county and local agencies don’t have any understanding of the significance of what Infrastructure Maintenance is all about and don’t want to learn about it either.

So let me educate them here. Infrastructure maintenance is crucial for society, covering everything from dams to railways, waterways to roads and bridges. Smart upkeep not only boosts resilience but also tackles common challenges like aging systems and resource constraints. Education and predictive tools are essential in overcoming these hurdles, emphasizing the need for proactive maintenance strategies!

State and Federal Infrastructures are the backbone of our modern world, delivering vital services and fueling economic growth.  For example, the National Park Service counts on top-notch infrastructure to safeguard nature's wonders, while economists spotlight its role in boosting productivity.  Smart infrastructure management—like predictive maintenance—ensures sustainability and reduces risks like floods. The interwoven systems underscore just how essential they are! Case in point the flooding in North Carolina that took out complete towns, roads, and communities could have been prevented if proper infrastructure maintenance had been maintained over the years.

When we think of our road system, remember that transportation networks help to facilitate commerce and mobility for our economy and daily transportation.

The same goes for our power grids that power our homes and businesses. If these grids are not maintained, we could be compromised financially and jeopardize national security.

Let’s not forget that the following areas are vitally important to our sustainability.

          Our water systems are designed to ensure public health and safety

      Communication networks that enable global connectivity and communication with family and friends

      Public parks and spaces that foster community engagement.

In conclusion, we need to hold our elected officials' feet to the fire about using our tax dollars the right way to ensure we are protected from harm by first fixing our roads and bridges, then tackling the other issue mentioned in this article.  Next week I will continue about this issue and go into different details.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing, with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, gouache, and pastels. As a political operative who has worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs ranging from art to life coaching, food, writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

Opinion, Kilbride, Infrastructure,

 

Red Carpet Beauty or Clown show?

The Cannes Film Festival committee made a bold move this year by setting strict rules on what attendees could and shouldn’t wear on the red carpet. In previous years the Hollywood elite have worn next to nothing on the red carpet, whether it be for photo click bait, or they just didn’t care how they looked, They just wanted attention or maybe wanted to seem like hookers, prostitutes or street walkers and the men where no better in how they dressed. But this year the Cannes Committee put their foot down and declared there would be no scantily clad clothing or better yet, hooker style clothing on the red carpet and they were prepared to remove anyone who dared to show up looking like street whores or pimps. Way to go Cannes Film Festival Committee, I applaud you for taking a stand. 

According to my sources from that committee, they want the festival to return to the glamour of old Hollywood style red carpet clothing that displayed elegance and sophistication. Remember when actors wished to influence society with glamour and fame rather than seeking to look like hookers, pimps and no talent individuals searching for fame through ugly photo’s printed in rag magazines? 

Maybe if Hollywood would return to the years when studios guarded the images of actors and studios to ensure morals and behavior were worth something in the eyes of society. Instead Hollywood can’t be bothered to ensure that starts uphold some form of standard of decorum and moral behaviors, instead we’ve got sluts like Miley Cyrus showing up on the red carpet dressed in a see-through gown that leaves nothing to the imagination or making ugly remarks that she forgot to wear underwear. Hey Miley, it’s not flattering or even cute, it’s downright ugly, so why don’t you grow up already!

The Met Gala is no different. One would think that a fashion-oriented event would be filled with beautiful outstanding gowns and real men’s attire, instead we see ugly dresses, boobs and butts hanging out or you can see right through the fabric, leaving nothing to the imagination and men dressed like idiots in unmanly clothing. The Met Gala has turned into a clown show of ugly clothing. No wonder no one wants to invest in fashion anymore, their taste is far more sophisticated than the clown outfits being strutted around at the Met Gala. One would think that an event backed by Vogue would have better taste than what is being shown on that red carpet. Do these people even look in a mirror before they leave the house? Why doesn't anyone tell them they look stupid and not flattering at all. They look like clowns going to a circus. 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing, with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, gouache, and pastels. As a political operative who has worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs ranging from art to life coaching, food, writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

Opinion, Elizabeth Kilbride, Fashion, Hollywood Glamour, Met Gala, Cannes Film Festival

Encouraging Speeches vs. Political Speeches

Encouraging Speeches vs. Political Speeches

Over the years, I have written hundreds of speeches, both political and encouraging speeches, and never have I incorporated political jargon into a speech that is meant to be encouraging. Recently, I listened to a few graduation speeches given by both celebrities and elected officials that made my skin crawl. Not only were the speeches inappropriate, but downright hostile in its message.

If I were a parent of a graduating student who had to sit through and endure speeches given by Representative Jasmine Crockett at Tougaloo College, or Governor Tim Waltz at University of Minnesota Law School, who didn’t express encouraging messages to the graduating students, instead spewed hate and racial propaganda during their time at the microphone.

Whoever wrote Crockett’s speech should not only learn when to bring up political speech or history in a speech, but also be fired because her speech was terrible, and she wondered why she and the college got bad feedback the next day. Crockett spewed hate and negative so-called truth, like to tell the graduating students to remember their blackness and to sustain their blackness by dreaming big, but to remember what being black means to be vigilant and steadfast in upholding that blackness. Then she had the nerve to mention Dr. Martin Luther King, who would have walked out on her ugly words if he were alive at that moment. 

Tim Walz gave the commencement speech at the University of Minnesota Law School and at first brought up the history of law and the constitution, and then went into the Rule of Law. Then he stepped over the line and began attacking President Trump and accusing him of stepping on the rule of law. He admitted he was getting way too political in his speech, then went on to claim he had to address it because it was bothering him way too much. Talk about a DNC call to attack that I’ve heard way too many times in the past. Then he went on to call members of the administration fascists and further goes on to spout the DNC’s propaganda talking points as set forth by them when a republican is in power.

There is a time and place to bring up politics in a speech and I have to say that a graduation commencement speech is not the time or place for that mind of crap. Word to the wise to future college commencement invitations: Be sure to tell the invitee to submit their speech 3 months in advance for review and acceptance. If the invitation committee strikes your speech, come up with a new concept because these new graduates need encouragement and wisdom, not political propaganda to look back on.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing, with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, gouache, and pastels. As a political operative who has worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs ranging from art to life coaching, food, writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

 

Password Book

 

There comes a day in your life when you can’t think of the password for a website, and you have to start writing them down for obvious reasons. One reason is that you can’t remember, the second reason is to ensure that your next of kin can do an update upon your death, and shut down the sites and platforms you’ve been maintaining. My suggestion is to buy one of these books, Password Book

This book is awesome as it gives you 30 slots under each two-letter tab to fill in your various websites and passwords. I highly recommend it to all my fellow Senior Citizens. BTW, you don't have to fill it in right away, simply record each website address and password as you use that website until they are all filled in. 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing, with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft, and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, gouache, and pastels. As a political operative who has worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs ranging from art to life coaching, food, writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week.