Stimulus: Where's the Construction?

When the idea of a massive stimulus package was first pitched to the American people, the basic premise was that the government would fund a massive overhaul of this country's aging infrastructure in New Deal like fashion. Unfortunately, the final bill is an agglomeration of tax cuts, aid to various states and agencies, and numerous other goodies designed to increase the influence and importance of the federal government. Actual construction of roads and bridges represents only the sixth largest line item in the current plan, or 3.6% of the entire plan. The two charts below should place the spending priorities of Congress in proper perspective.

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