I don't actually disagree with many of the responses to my comment (to the effect that public spending doesn't seem effective, is bureacratic, etc) that seem to have been downvoted. I actually agree.
I think it's indicative of the same cultural/ideological problem I point to above: if a culture doesn't believe in the common good, in society, in social cohesion, in group projects, and if we're in a constant ideological struggle with some 50% of the population that feels that the welfare of others is no concern of theirs, and that public spending and public institutions are "socialist" (used as an epithet) -- how can we expect that same culture to be committed to actually performing civic duties and constructing things with any sense of responsibility?
In a nation where it's shark-eat-shark and "take what's mine" it's no surprise that projects complete over budget and work is done sloppily or in an expensive way.
I think it's indicative of the same cultural/ideological problem I point to above: if a culture doesn't believe in the common good, in society, in social cohesion, in group projects, and if we're in a constant ideological struggle with some 50% of the population that feels that the welfare of others is no concern of theirs, and that public spending and public institutions are "socialist" (used as an epithet) -- how can we expect that same culture to be committed to actually performing civic duties and constructing things with any sense of responsibility?
In a nation where it's shark-eat-shark and "take what's mine" it's no surprise that projects complete over budget and work is done sloppily or in an expensive way.