January 2012
As the nation prepares for Obama's 2012 State of the Union address, Booz Allen Hamilton, a strategy and technology consulting firm, outlined items it says should be included in any discussion about the country's aging infrastructure."There is consensus across the political spectrum that infrastructure is critical to economic development, job creation, national security and competitiveness," says Mark Gerencser, Booz Allen's executive vice president. "But a lack of harmony in the political process is limiting our ability to accomplish the big things that are required to re-build America's infrastructure."
Booz Allen is hopeful that Obama will address the nation's infrastructure in the State of the Union on Jan. 24, and it says the following eight principals are vital to any discussion on the topic:
1. Create a shared and comprehensive national vision. America needs a comprehensive vision that inspires and guides planning and action at the regional and local levels. The vision should be a living framework that describes what could be achieved, expected timelines, and how success will be measured. It must also define new mechanisms, in addition to Public/private partnerships, to engage government, industry and civil society in flexible, adaptable, and innovative ways
2. Think innovation, not shovels. We will not solve our problems with repairs or extensions. America must re-imagine its infrastructure to meet the needs of its citizens in a future that abounds with both opportunities and competitive challenges. Building world-class infrastructure upgrades at home also prepares American industries to compete successfully in the mammoth wave of new infrastructure development in China, India, Brazil, and other fast-growing emerging economies.
3. Take the long and integrated view. Short-term thinking is a recipe for failure. While there is undeniable immediate pressure to create jobs through infrastructure projects, creating a wish list of short-term projects has proven to be a mistake. For decades, the federal government has provided states and localities with funding for one-off projects - and now nearly every city has a series of unconnected transportation and energy systems.
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COMMENTARY: I am not saying I agree with everything here, but we definitely need some creative thinking in Washington.
Both parties keep rehashing the same old battle plans and you see the result...
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