America’s New Crisis: We Can’t Build (w/ Marc Dunkelman) | How to Fix It
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Explaining America's Inability to Build: Vetoes, Vexation, and Progressive Paradoxes
Discover the philosophical contradiction at the heart of modern progressivism that paralyzes infrastructure development and public works. Learn actionable steps based on historical successes to restore government competence and deliver visible results.
Short Summary
- The failure to build stems from a philosophical war inside progressivism between Hamiltonian centralization (efficiency) and Jeffersonian decentralization (veto power).
- Mid-20th-century success relied on prioritizing central authority (like the TVA), a model progressives later rejected due to major public interest failures (e.g., Robert Moses’ urban renewal).
- Current systems insert too many vetoes—through excessive environmental review and litigation fears—resulting in near-zero tangible output despite political wins (e.g., EV charger rollout failures).
- Restoring the ability to build requires granting discretionary power back to agency leaders operating within defined bounds, rather than subjecting every decision to endless process.
This discussion with Marc Dunkelman explores how the progressive movement shifted from empowering large bureaucracies to enabling universal veto power, crippling infrastructure delivery. We analyze historical examples, from the TVA to the Biden administration’s EV charger rollout, and outline necessary reforms focusing on streamlining regulation and embracing necessary trade-offs to prove government can still function effectively.
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Top Comments (10)
Corporations and republicans are using the process to stop progress and the 10 corrupt corporate dems that side with republicans to block , stall and water down bills that benefited working class
When the government works against Americans not for them it's time to clean house! And SCOTUS let it happen
As a former Certified Environmental Professional, I agree with your assessment that the environmental review is important and decisions need to consider the impacts. However, the permitting process needs to recognize that sometimes environmental impacts need to be accepted for the overall benefits of the project.
Btw. Seattle/WA did replace the viaduct with a tunnel successfully. Their light rail system continues to grow.
The enemy of the good is the perfect!
I’m all for it!!! Both of you know and articulate these positive/historical facts/ideas a billion times better than me!! Please run for office!!
great discussion of ways to fix it. Thanks for having this conversation with Marc Dunkelman
The need is to have a reasonable counter balance to corporate greed. When the corporate benefactors of a project have deep pockets and strong lobbying they essentially put a thumb on the scales
The issue is money in politics. Until we get rid of that I need the courts to fall back on in case a political decision is made not because it’s in my interest but because of a campaign promise to a billionaire.
To many lawyers!!! Some do lighting but sue every project becuase of views lost, or to long for construction regarding noise et, etc. I know layers that admit they won’t win, they only have to delay, delay!
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Top Comments (10)
Corporations and republicans are using the process to stop progress and the 10 corrupt corporate dems that side with republicans to block , stall and water down bills that benefited working class
When the government works against Americans not for them it's time to clean house! And SCOTUS let it happen
As a former Certified Environmental Professional, I agree with your assessment that the environmental review is important and decisions need to consider the impacts. However, the permitting process needs to recognize that sometimes environmental impacts need to be accepted for the overall benefits of the project.
Btw. Seattle/WA did replace the viaduct with a tunnel successfully. Their light rail system continues to grow.
The enemy of the good is the perfect!
I’m all for it!!! Both of you know and articulate these positive/historical facts/ideas a billion times better than me!! Please run for office!!
great discussion of ways to fix it. Thanks for having this conversation with Marc Dunkelman
The need is to have a reasonable counter balance to corporate greed. When the corporate benefactors of a project have deep pockets and strong lobbying they essentially put a thumb on the scales
The issue is money in politics. Until we get rid of that I need the courts to fall back on in case a political decision is made not because it’s in my interest but because of a campaign promise to a billionaire.
To many lawyers!!! Some do lighting but sue every project becuase of views lost, or to long for construction regarding noise et, etc. I know layers that admit they won’t win, they only have to delay, delay!