Sounds like a very good idea, even if short on what is needed for stimulating the economy.

That is why we republicans and our Blue Dog democrats have to kill it!

How many billions were spent on infrastructure duing the last stimulus? Is another 50 billion really going to kick start the economy when the previous, larger amount didn't?

"the conservative con has apparently succeeded"

And yet the Dems will be shocked -- SHOCKED -- when their base stays home in Nov.

I'm not saying they should (I'll vote), but they are kidding themselves if they think giving in giving in giving in will enthuse people to vote for them.

When I read about the prospect of the republicans gaining the majority in congress, I cannot believe that people would be so stupid to elect republicans, they have a couple of ideas - abolish social security and medicaid, also the health care bill, even benefits for disabled vets to save tax cuts for the rich, of course they have never said how they would stop americans dying without health care, or how people can live on $10.00 per hour, but of course their corporate buddies will love it.
I never understand - now they have sent all manufacturing jobs overseas, just who will be expected to purchase the things they manufacture?

So, let me get this right: engineers tell us that the cost of replacing aging infrastructure in the country is something like 100 TIMES $50B but Obama is - once again - going to low-ball his policy because going easy will make Republicans be nicer to him?

Seriously, can someone get an economic advisor to explain the ECONOMIC basis for picking $50B?

Pres Reagan pushed through a similar infrastructure bill in early 1983. I worked at the time as a legislative researcher for a public policy consulting firm at the time and tracked it. It was known as "The Jobs Bill," but I'm sure it has some more inspiring title. I'm just saying both parties have tried this before in the past, and it helps the economy.

But, then, I think Reagan's ideological agenda was to destroy government at all levels, and the current Republican party, seeing how close they are to this goal, is embracing it full force. The public reason for opposing the bill will be the deficit. The ideological reason will be "we can't let government succeed at anything" not even fixing a highway.

Ever since I read about the paved roads being turned back into gravel roads, I've been bemoaning that fact that we're no longer willing to pay for what are, let's face it, the most basic trappings of civilization. So this is moderately encouraging.

Roads are considered 'pork' among conservatives - EXCEPT when they are in their own districts. So expect to hear an uproar about it.

Great idea and may not be killed in Congress if it is fully paid for.

It is also something that Democrats can run on in the Fall with the question for voters: Rebuild America or tax cuts for millionaires. That is the question.

Also, this idea will fit quite nicely with the Democratic push this Fall of "MAKE IT IN AMERICA".

The Infrastructure bank idea needs to be fleshed out more. I personally would like to see it be financed with "Rebuild America bonds" the way that there were WWII bonds.

A very good start on getting us out of our problems. Add to ir low interest loans for public water and sewage distracts improvements and more money for a national grid.

FYI, the National Infrastructure bank plan is an idea that is also supported by the Chamber of Commerce.

I too would like to see it be more ambitious but it is a start. Laura Tyson's idea of spending a trillion on infrastructure may be too much for the Congress but a price tag of $100 to $200 billion in a National Infrastructure bank is a nice start. Too bad it is only $50 billion.

This is DIFFERENT from the stimulus bill because the projects in the stimulus were short term projects. This is actually a LONG TERM project that will last for 5 years to build the 21st Century Infrastructure.

It is visionary and that is what we need right now.

HEY JIMO! Tell Obama how to get that 100 x $50 billion through congress. Go ahead! we're waiting.

Too Little, Too Late.

Dudes, its not just about stimulating the economy. Its about rebuilding our infrastructure that is quickly deteriorating. As for the Republican POV's comments, thanks for being honest and admitting you will obstruct anything that benefits the country. So few of you have the ability to be that honest. Kudos!

$50 billion is about .3% of GDP.

Infrastructure is like puppies and apple pie. But I'm glad it's not my job to try to sell this as something to stimulate the economy.

$50 billion is 1.4% of 2010 federal budget budget. If it's spread out over five years, then .28% a year of government spending.

Unlike most here, I don't really think there is much the Preznint can do to *fix* the economy, so I don't really fault Obama. It is interesting to note the spin here though.

In the State that I live in some of the stimulus money is in fact being spent to create public works jobs of all kinds. Many of our highways are actually being repaved with new workes and, gee, along the roadside there are signs that say 'your tax dollars at work'. That's the kind of reality check that people see when they drive that can undermine the Repiglicans, and the Corporate Media that they own, from the lies and propaganda that they create in order to destroy Obama. These are the very types of things that these evil pigs rail against on t.v., yet go home and can't wait fast enough to claim credit for.

Alli: Stop trying to blame Congress for the macroeconomic decisions of the Obama administration.

Many of the commenters here want a much larger infrastructure package. The WH doesn't. Maybe the commenters are right and Obama is wrong. Or maybe Obama is right and the commenters are wrong. But what is clear is that there are fundamental disagreements within the Democratic party wrt both Keynesianism in general and infrastructure spending in particular.

Stop trying to pretend that Obama is advocating a more economically liberal policy than he is. He may be right. But he isn't an economic liberal.

In a trip along I-70 in summer 2009, nowhere did I see more stimulus package money at work than on road upgrading in eastern Indiana, Mike Pence country. But according to the congressman, it wasn't taking place -- except, that is, for the part he thought he could take credit for. Expect the same scenario if Obama's proposed infrastructure bill is approved.

Ask those workers what it means and they will say household-saving paychecks and the pride that comes from an amply rewarded hard day's work.

Yet again it bears repeating. The filibuster threat is largely a phony excuse that the WH uses to justify settling for policy that it wants but that is unpopular among the majority of Democratic voters. Cynically, the WH points to the GOP (or the useful Blue Dog of the day) and says "hey, we wanted a liberal bill, but dammit if we didn't have to compromise to get to 60 votes.

As I will continue to repeat until people grasp reality, no filibuster can be kept up indefinitely in the face of a determined majority. Hell, this is how civil rights legislation passed.

LBJ didn't have a filibuster-proof majority. They put the bill up for a vote. There was a filibuster. The filibuster ended. The bill passed.

Filibusters don't kill legislation. Hary Reid does when he pulls the legislation in the face of an (often empty) filibuster threat.

If Democrats are willing to FIGHT, they can defeat any filibuster and pass whatever they want with 51 votes.

It's still the old Groucho mantra: Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?

It occurs to me that with investment arenas frozen or very sluggish, corporations and others wanting their money to 'grow' ala capitalism's deepest concern, HAVE to attack workers. It's the only place left where they can extract a surplus, since the companies are not producing any surplus, and investments aren't either.

The answer: steal salaries and pensions world wide.

Preaching to the choir. Now if we can just sing it a bit louder and on key .

"HEY JIMO! Tell Obama how to get that 100 x $50 billion through congress. Go ahead! we're waiting." - Alli

That's not the point. The point is to generate some issues to run on in November. $50 billion to fix the nation's crumbling infrastructure is practically meaningless.

Nothing is passing through Congress until after November.