So where do all of these fantastical percentages, dollar amounts and dizzying statistics leave us? It leaves us with facts; facts which state that Americans spend more on their automobiles than they do on education. That is worth repeating.
Americans spend more on their automobiles than they do on education.
Consider this the ultimate example of the influence which Hyper-Capitalism holds over our lifestyle choices. Hyper-Capitalist ideals are so ingrained into our culture that it will require nothing short of a nearly complete paradigm shift to address the issues we face as a nation and as a society.
This is not to say there is no hope. Spanning our nation is an obvious yet oft forgotten asset; fixed-rail lines. The United States boasts the largest fixed-rail network in the world. And unlike the expansive, obsolete Eisenhower Interstate System; the fixed-rail network of the United States was built with private funds.
If we examine the long-range transportation plans of a majority of the metropolitan areas of the United States, we find that they are centered upon the interstate, outer-loops, inner-loops, bypasses and on and on and on. Highways, bridges, interchanges and many of the other components of the national highway system are in a state of disrepair. So much so, that the president-elect has planned to focus the $850,000,000,000 stimulus package on the repair of our auto-centric infrastructure.
But consider the environmental, economic and social impact associated with highways, asphalt and automobiles. All three of those elements rely on one common item; oil. Are we starting to see the connection? It seems as if this is not some half-baked conspiracy theory. Oil.
Think back to the bailout of an industry who relies on this non-renewable and limited natural resource. They are moving in an unsustainable direction! Just as a reminder; "the ability of present generations to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
If there is a limited amount of oil, we are spending more on our autos than on educating our children, we continue installing additional lanes of oil-rich asphalt highways, we consume more automobiles than we can drive and nearly 80% of drivers are sitting in traffic alone; our transportation plan seems to be moving in a direction of obsolescence. Perhaps it has already reached that point, but Hyper-Capitalism's influence is preventing many of us from admitting that fact.
So to borrow a phrase from the slayer; "where do we go from here?"
We, as a nation and as a society need to commit to a universal paradigm shift which ensures our survival and the survival of future generations. We must shed the chains of Hyper-Capitalism and begin to explore alternatives to building more highways. This is not as difficult as it sounds, and in fact, many Americans have already begun to make changes that will help to alleviate many of the troubles which our nationals transportation plan causes.
With that in mind, we will begin to explore the alternatives that will help propel our nation to greatness once again.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela
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