Why do conservatives not consider the huge spending for infrastructure as an investment?

Question

Although it is expenditure in nature it is in fact an INVESTMENT that will be repaid over 50 years or more. WHEN you buy a car you dont buy it all in one year you have to spread the payments over an extended period of time and in the end you OWN IT! . WHY do conservatives not understand what the difference is between EXPENSE and INVESTMENT.?

Don't for get the bridges was falling down, banks "HAD" to be bailed out and the MOTOR industry as well or the economy would sink. The projects creates JOBS!!

Answer 1

If it puts money in a working man's pocket, they're against it. If it puts money in the corporation's pocket, they're for it.



And to think our infrastructure exists because Eisenhower, a republican, conservative president, made it his top priority. He knew how important it is.

Answer 2

As far as I know the States take care of the roads and bridges. What the Feds do is fund inspections and inform the State Governments of the condition. The problem is liberals will pass an expenditure and when the cause for spending the money is built (or repaired) will keep on spending. What if you paid for a car and then when the plan was finished the dealer told you to keep sending the money.

Oh and i don't mind spending on "infrastucture" when the money is actually going to build an improvement. 4 billion dollars to a political action group like Acorn is not what I had in mind.

Oh and as far as "creating jobs" the ones I have heard of are temporary summer jobs or Government jobs. Not something I would consider helping the economy.

Answer 3

You don't appear to understand what an "investment" is.



A car is not an investment. A car does not by itself earn you money or increase in value over time. A house, on the other hand, IS an investment because its value increases over time, and you can use it to make money (if you buy it as a rental, of course).



An investment is something that makes the money you put into it grow into more money. A car doesn't do that, but a house/property does.



That is why I do not make payments on a car. It makes no financial sense to make interest payments on something that will keep going down in value. The only thing I will pay interest on is something that will make me money over time (ie, property).



Now, regarding your implication that these bailouts were an investment, that is really irrelevant. The fact is, the federal govt does not have the authority to loan money to companies that are not doing well financially. If they are unable to stay afloat themselves, they should be allowed to fall so that other, more economically viable companies can move in and provide products/services that the public wants.



As for infrastructure (like roads), that is necessary for economic development (which the govt needs in order to collect taxes), so it is justifiable that the govt would provide these basic communal services.

Answer 4

An investment is supposed to earn you something in return. Buying a car is never an investment, unless it has some rare qualities. Once you drive it off the lot, it drops in value quite a bit. If you take a 5 year loan on a car, by the time you own it, it is only worth pennies on the dollar. If you trade it in, then you need another loan where you are likely to pay interest on again.



By driving up the national debt to levels way beyond "where no man has ever gone", he is in fact burdening future generations for who knows how long. The interest alone is going to be a major portion of the national budget. Bush gave $25 billion to GM to keep from bankruptcy. That "investment" was increased to $70 billion under Obama and they still filed for bankruptcy. Hmm, not working out too well there, huh?

Answer 5

why is it the democrats don:t realize that billions was pissed away on nothing but pet projects and the pakis. If they wanted to start these projects you think that will pay off in 50 yrs why start it after our econmy is in such bad shape that it will take a miracle to get back to just being able to live with a little comfort.

and no the banks didn;t have to be bailed out. banks have been in trouble before but got then back in shape on their own. but no he had to dangle money under their noses and being greedy like most people they took the bait only to regret it. They soon saw their mistake when he started trying to control them offering to pay it back he made it too tough on them . so now who controls the banks. big government and they did with all the other bailouts people were stupid enough to take.

this man does nothing for anyone with out a catch.

save me the crap the government is going to help anyone. they are just helping themselves to our money which we have no voice in what they do with it.

all these programs the government is pushing down our throats are not for us. they are only a way for them to pocket more money.. and have control over us.

and plz with the falling bridges, the states fix their own with the tax money they get from the people.same with the roads.

what has he done for you personally.

are you in a daze or what? the bailout of the motor companies? who owns them now?

and just who is telling us what to drive? as for the cash for clunkers that is a blast. these poor suckers that are falling for that crap are still waiting their money from this crooked government. My God. get freaken real

Answer 6

1. Facebook 2. Twitter 3. Mobile Phone 4. Laptop 5.Computer Lol :p

Answer 7

Actually, except for my first car in high school. In my adult life I always pay cash for my cars. And what does that have to do with maintaining roads? Also, why would you remotely think conservatives do not think fixing roads are a good idea? Your whole rant makes zero sense and if you were in my debate class in college I would have cleaned your clock.

Answer 8

We had a huge stimulus bill that had infrastructure spending that amounted to 3.6 percent of 786 billion dollars. This is what was wrong with the stimulus bill, too much wasted spending too little infrastructure spending.

Answer 9

Generally speaking, conservatives traditionally (and contrary to the true meaning of the word "conservative") are notoriously short-sighted people.

Answer 10

you mean the stimulus package lol

we are not complaining about that but what about all the other garbage that was included?

like a turtle path

Answer 11

It worked real well for Hitler at least for a while. it figures you libs would believe in Hitler policies.

Answer 12

I paid up-front for my car...





I do agree with what Obama is trying to do though.