Quote:
Originally Posted by papertowelroll
We have much better technology today than back in the era of the "slave labor" you are referring to. Do you seriously think it was easier to build something back then than today? You think the empire State building was an easier project in 1930 or today?
The real difference is political. Back then the country acted in a much more socialist fashion and was willing to spend huge amounts of money for collective good. (Much like they continue to do in Asia and Europe).
Also, the suburban lifestyle is extremely subsidized by the massive road system that we offer for free. It's rather comical hearing those who rely on single occupancy vehicles being against public transit for financial reasons.
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1. No, I don't think it was "easier" to build then....I never implied that. I think the labor costs of building much of the infrastructure of the US over the last 150 years was much cheaper than it would be now. I think that is indisputable. I think the Empire State Building could not be built today as it was then with the same % labor costs.....the labor costs would change the entire project...which is one of the reasons why you see boring glass buildings now. Manual laborers were paid next to nothing....and disposable. The laborers who built my house in 2016 were paid a min of $30/hr, they worked 8 hour days, the odd Saturday...and I'm pretty sure most of them were undocumented. Point being, labor is much more expensive now....across the board.
2. I think "back then" it was probably a financial decision....they could afford it....so they did it. They had the density before they built it...the need was clear. I know that land and labor were much cheaper and plentiful....that doesn't mean everything was "easy"...clearly it wasn't. I wouldn't be able to argue if the US was more socialist or not...I have no idea. I know that places like NYC have had the density to support a massive rail system for more than 100 years....Austin doesn't have the density (something I've always argued FOR) and isn't zoned to allow us to ever have the density to support massive infrastructure investments. You need the people most likely to use it, to pay for it.....and you need LOADS of them. If you ask people who are not likely to use it to tax themselves....well good luck with that. Texas is completely unlike Europe or Asia....mainly due to lack of density.
3. I wouldn't characterize our road system as free....we do pay for it through massive taxes....via sales tax, city bonds, state taxes, fed taxes, huge gas taxes, tolls....are used in part to pay for our roads. Not sure how you came up with the idea they are free. That said, I do believe we should spend more on urban solutions....and that starts with massively increasing DENSITY. A system for the few winds up being a perk for the rich who live in town, at the expense of others....that's not fair.
4. The fact is we have a transit system that people don't utilize to its full potential. Most people loathe buses, but have a love affair with rail....my theory is that historically buses were used by the poor and its just not sexy.
Just because people complain they have to sit in traffic doesn't mean society owes them a cheap/easy/commute...by highway, bus, or rail. "Ask not what what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" . I believe that begins with living like people did for centuries....in dense interconnected communities with all the amenities they should need close by. Commuting by car long distances is an American nightmare..... but it doesn't have to be that way. The answer starts with each of us, not asking, or thinking the government is going to solve our commute times. You hate commuting? Do something about it.