Re:Built for Eternity: The Hoover Dam
by snowwrestler on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @01:07PM
(#10297708)
As they say, it was a simpler time. The dam builders hired unemployed workers, paid them cheaply, and violently broke up any attempts at unionizing or collective bargaining. Over 100 workers were killed during construction. There was of course no environmental impact statement or review; to the contrary, it was broadly taken for granted that it was man's destiny and duty to "improve the land" through massive engineering projects.
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Re:Built for Eternity: The Hoover Dam
by geophile on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @02:01PM
(#10298190)
Think about the same project being attempted now. Unemployment is now officially pretty low, but I believe the numbers omit people who are "underemployed", (e.g. part time when they would prefer full, no longer looking for work). Pay would likely be very low, and unions have been pretty much busted, so no more collective bargaining. Maybe fewer would die. Environmental review would probably take place, but a large enough corporation seems to be able to bully its way through anything. The main difference I see is that corporations have become more expert at modifying the system to suit their own interests.
And of course, this country is no longer capable of doing large projects (or even basic maintenance) because congress is completely broken. How's that highway trust fund coming along?