Able Quote by Ray LaHood
“The Bush administration, they had two blue ribbon commissions about infrastructure finance that recommended a lot more money, and additionally the gas tax being increased. We couldn't get them to accept being able to move forward. Since President Obama's been in office, there has been, to be charitable, a lack of enthusiasm for raising the gas tax.”
About This Quote
Political inertia and partisan reluctance have blocked infrastructure funding reforms, despite expert recommendations.
In simple terms: Politics stalls needed infrastructure finance reforms.
Key Takeaway
Policy change often stalls despite expert advice.
Themes
politics
infrastructure
policy
taxation
Mood
frustrated
cautious
Type
political analysis
commentary
When to use this quote
- budget hearings
- state transportation planning
- federal tax legislation
Key Concepts
bureaucratic resistance
partisan gridlock
Practical Applications
- build bipartisan coalitions
- use data‑driven advocacy
Questions to Reflect On
- What incentives could overcome tax‑increase resistance?
- How can expert commissions translate recommendations into law?
A Different Perspective
Even with consensus, voter opposition to tax increases can derail reforms.
![“[Obama] was highly praised, including by his supporters, for his statesmanlike attitude during the lame-duck session, bipartisanship, and getting legislation through. What did he get through? The main achievement was a huge tax cut for the extremely wealthy...Meanwhile, at the same time, he…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ce/noam-chomsky-42_noam-chomsky_obama-was-highly-praised-including-by-hi_1996110.jpg)
![“You take the huge income that comes with a big gas tax, and you use it to pay off regressive taxes like the FICA [Federal Insurance Contributions Act] tax. You can help the poor in other ways besides giving them cheap gas. You want to send the message that people want to be as efficient as…” quote by Paul R. Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/141/paul-r-ehrlich-13046_bigs_you-take-the-huge-income-that-comes-with_3110513.jpg)
![“The Chinese are more successful [in building infrastructure] because in their country, only three people make the decision. ... In a country where only three people make the decision, they can decide where to put their rail line, get the money, and do it. We don't do it that way in America.” quote by Ray LaHood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4e0/ray-lahood-41377_america_the-chinese-are-more-successful-in-build_1599981.jpg)
