A 2013 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the US a pathetic overall grade of D+ for its infrastructure. The report cited numerous state-specific shortcomings, including Michigan’s “88 high-hazard dams and 1,298 structurally deficient bridges” and the “$44.5 billion needed to upgrade drinking-water systems” in California.
发达经济体需要对公共品进行足够的持续投资，这应该是不言自明的。但美国的基础设施状况表明许多决策者并不同意这一观点。美国土木工程师协会（American Society of Civil Engineers）的一份2013年报告给美国基础设施的总体评分是D+。该报告列举了大量各州的不足，包括密歇根州的“88座高危大坝和1,298座存在结构缺陷的挑梁”、加州“需要445亿美元升级饮用水系统”等。