General Discussion

marmar

(77,084 posts) Wed Dec 19, 2012, 08:00 AM Dec 2012

For sale: U.S. highways and bridges

(CNN) State and local governments are in desperate need of cash for all manner of road, building and bridge repair, and are increasingly turning to private money for funding.

But the involvement of private investors is raising concerns over how much control the public may lose over its roadways.

Companies putting up the money include construction and engineering firms like Bechtel and Samsung, and big banks like Goldman Sachs (GS, Fortune 500) and Merrill Lynch that aim to attract money from pension funds and insurance companies.

In exchange for the funding, the firms are getting an ownership stake in the projects. That means they'll get a cut of the tolls, and also be responsible for the maintenance. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/18/news/economy/road-construction-funding/

4 replies

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For sale: U.S. highways and bridges (Original Post) marmar Dec 2012 OP

This will end badly. Can we agree, at this point, that there's a major capital strike going on HiPointDem Dec 2012 #1

GoldmanSachsMerrillLynch green for victory Dec 2012 #2

Another bad idea from the privateers. Scuba Dec 2012 #3

They're flush with the cash they stole from the people... DCKit Dec 2012 #4

HiPointDem

(20,729 posts)

1. This will end badly. Can we agree, at this point, that there's a major capital strike going on

Reply to marmar (Original post)

Wed Dec 19, 2012, 08:03 AM

Dec 2012

intended to force the privatization of almost everything, the sell-off of public assets, and the racheting down of wages, benefits, and the social safety net?

green for victory

(591 posts)

2. GoldmanSachsMerrillLynch

Reply to marmar (Original post)

Wed Dec 19, 2012, 08:07 AM

Dec 2012

Companies putting up the money include construction and engineering firms like Bechtel and Samsung, and big banks like Goldman Sachs (GS, Fortune 500) and Merrill Lynch that aim to ~~attract~~ extract money from pension funds and insurance companies.

fixed

they'll get a cut of the tolls

can't fix that

this would all be funny if it wasn't so serious

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

3. Another bad idea from the privateers.

Reply to marmar (Original post)

Wed Dec 19, 2012, 08:11 AM

Dec 2012

DCKit

(18,541 posts)

4. They're flush with the cash they stole from the people...

Reply to Scuba (Reply #3)

Wed Dec 19, 2012, 08:28 AM

Dec 2012

now they're using it to buy the commons.

"The Shock Doctrine" is being used as a textbook by Teh Corporations.

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