Trump's infrastructure policies

Last week was Trump's "Infrastructure Week," where the news cycle was to be dominated by his announcing his policies intended to repair America's crumbling infrastructure. Only two were articulated clearly, and neither is particularly bad.

The first is a privatization of the air traffic control industry. The FAA would be replaced by a public-private partnership along the lines of the Federal Reserve Bank. Their board of directors would be appointed or approved by the Federal government, but they would be empowered to float bonds to raise money and charge airlines for services. This is similar to the situation in Canada and Europe. There is nothing inherently wrong with the concept, and it will transfer the financial burden from taxpayers to the users of the services, the airlines, who will then pass the costs on to passengers.

I am all in favor of using geo-location satellites and upgraded computers in air traffic control, provided they retain ground based systems as back up. Satellite navigation is particularly susceptible to interference from solar flares, CMEs, and anti-satellite weapons.

This proposal will certainly be fought by unions, but is likely to be authorized by Congress.

The second involves streamlining government paperwork to enable more rapid authorization. This one will certainly appeal to Trump's genuine conservative supporters, but I, personally, see a red flag. Whereas I agree that the bureaucracy is too cumbersome, my fear is that this will be an excuse to roll back necessary environmental reviews.

Once Trump does get back on track, there are two policies we should be on the lookout for. Trump may try to privatize existing infrastructure, allowing private corporations to turn roads and bridges built with taxpayer money into toll roads and bridges. This would not necessarily ensure that they will be maintained any better than they are now. Another policy that may be waiting in the wings involves more liberal use of "eminent domain" by the Federal government. Eminent domain has a long history of being abused by real estate sharks like Trump. Land is acquired by the government for some "critical infrastructure" that will benefit the public. The land is then sold to a developer who uses it for private gain.

Does anyone have more concrete information about Trump's infrastructure plans? How do you feel about them?

a reply to: DJW001

The first is a privatization of the air traffic control industry. The FAA would be replaced by a public-private partnership along the lines of the Federal Reserve Bank.

Fed: More guns, buy your own butter.

I might agree with more privatization, except it was the lagging safety concerns on the airlines part that got the fed involved in the first place. But who needs oversight?

From frying pan back to the fire.

a reply to: intrptr

The FAA can e ventually be tracedback to the Air Commerce Act in the 1920s. The airline industry wanted the government to help them grow through regulation and promotion. Funny how industries want the government to help them, but call attempts to regulate them "interference."

originally posted by: DJW001

[SNIP]

Calm down, don't get so antsy.

People are not always watching for your posts.

Give some people a chance to digest your confusing analogies.

This thread is normal and not in the MudPit, so you must give people time to figure that out without getting snagged.

As to the Air Control, I have to find some details about the "private" responsibilities. It might work.

a reply to: DJW001

If the air traffic control industry is privatized and they decide to unionize and strike one day then the govt will not be able to kick them out and get things moving again the way Reagan did.

It is something to consider.

a reply to: DJW001

I am not Trump supporter, but as rural resident, the jobs promise was very important to us. I don't see how air traffic controller issues are going to help that part of America. When they said infrastructure, I thought it would road and bridges too. Real local jobs. But, with busting of unions, they will just hire Mexicans who work for cheapest labor wages. And make the rest of us pay for it through tolls and taxes.

originally posted by: Grimpachi
a reply to: DJW001

If the air traffic control industry is privatized and they decide to unionize and strike one day then the govt will not be able to kick them out and get things moving again the way Reagan did.

It is something to consider.

Excellent point. Knowing the way government works, all the current FAA employees will be retained to continue to run the existing system as "backup."

a reply to: MOMof3

As a matter of fact, concerns have been raised about the privatization of air traffic control. It will chiefly benefit large cities with busy airports, and have little benefit to "flyover country." Similarly, the priority for general infrastructure repair will be the most heavily used infrastructure: urban bridges and highways.

Attention:

This thread is NOT in the Political Mud Pit - No political trolling is allowed.

Discuss the subject of the OP....not each other or other members.

Do not reply to this post.

Private Prisons owned and operated by corporations is a growing industry under the Republicans. But it will still be supported by tax dollars with none of that pesky oversite.

Private air traffic control will still be paid for by the flying public with much higher ticket prices, government subsidies and tax breaks.
Private corps will essentially be unregulated and able to hire unqualified people...what could possibly go wrong flying the friendly skies?


Want to prosper in Trumps new privatization of infrastructure.....learn investing, contracts and how the supply chain works... Of course you might have less money to invest; so burrow it from a lending institution if you want to do the paperwork.

For profit corporations like Health care aren't in business to help the consumer but to line the pockets of investors and CEOs So get yourself an honest broker [lol] a offshore account in Belize and play with the big boys.

I have already filed a LLC for a company to help with "The Wall". Middleman vendor/service suppler. It's gonna be yuuuggggeeee!!! Believe me.

Get in on the swag SOON...you've only got 4 years until the democrats take over again.

a reply to: DJW001

I think they resist FAA regulations, as much as possible.

Letting them police their own safety standards is a mistake, imo.

Neither of the ideas mentioned in the OP are related to infrastructure in the way Americans expect.

And for the record, I would be against privatization of the FAA.

a reply to: usernameconspiracy

Neither of the ideas mentioned in the OP are related to infrastructure in the way Americans expect.

Those are the only two that have been made public so far. I am speculating about the latter two, but given Trump's real estate background I fully expect he will try them.