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The Half-Truth on Infrastructure at the Heart of the American Jobs Plan

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The Half-Truth on Infrastructure at the Heart of the American Jobs Plan

Here’s a quiz to test your understanding: The American Jobs Plan states that “public domestic investment as a share of the economy has fallen by more than 40 percent since the 1960s.” Does this mean:

Here’s a quiz to test your understanding: The American Jobs Plan states that “public domestic investment as a share of the economy has fallen by more than 40 percent since the 1960s.” Does this mean:

a. The U.S. spends less money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s.

b. When adjusted for inflation, the U.S. spends less money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s.

c. The U.S. spends more money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s, even when adjusted for inflation, but that amount has not kept up with the size of the economy.

d. The U.S. spends more money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s, even when adjusted for inflation, even as a portion of the size of the economy, but all that old infrastructure is depreciating more quickly than we are increasing new infrastructure spending.

 

Planet Money : NPR

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About Your Extended Warranty : Planet Money : NPR

Calls about auto warranties or similar guarantees are a constant pain for phone users. But what are these warranties? And why are they not only still around, but seemingly bigger than ever? Today on the show, we dive into the history of this industry and these calls. How they started, got big, and why they persist to this day.

Radar makes the GREEN LIGHT longer?

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Every stop light on the planet has "A BAD PLACE" which makes you feel awkward and more likely to crash. Technology acts is a life guard who throws you a pretty cool life preserver: A longer green light!

Still thinking about bicycles and cars 🚲.

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Still thinking about bicycles and cars 🚲.

I still often think about going car less for a few years and fixing up a good reliable bicycle to get around town. I often think it would be a great way to save money and get to know my community better and become healthier. The thing with owning a car is there is always a temptation to drive further than necessary, as much of the cost of motoring is sunk whether or not the car is parked or your on the go constantly.

I’ve long preferred to walk or take the bus around town. For a while I was big into bicycling until my bike kept breaking. In recent years when I camp I often will park, and stay at the same site for multiple days, instead preferring walks and activities close to camp, where I can get to know the land better, have less set up and take down and be more relaxed. I kind of like being a homebody more and more.

While I like traveling to the Adirondacks for weekends in the wilderness, the motoring habit is unhealthy both to my body and my finances. I am super attracted to the idea of saving an extra $100,000 or more if I gave up motoring for ten years. That extra money would boost my savings and get me closer to my off grid dream. It would reduce a lot of stress in my life and make me happier. But I don’t know, there is a lot of opportunity costs in giving up motoring – namely potential trips to the wilderness – but also real benefits to my stress that and sanity.