Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (JEC)

Retirnsoon (< 20) Submitted: 3/31/08 9:08 AM

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Ideally this is what we believe to relieve our worsening economic situation, pump money into construction projects and the reciprocation bleeds all the way down. There has been no mention of the federal government pumping money into construction activities to stimulate our economy. Here is why. If a large construciton project, say a bridge or highway since these are federally funded in most instances, takes years to develop into what can then become a design; i.e. land acquisitions, permitting, EPA impacts; then after all that is settled, then they can begin design, which takes several more years. After say 5-15 years, then a major project can go out for bid. It is a long term stimulus, but never a short one.

Look at the state governments. No states will be dumping money into large construciton activities any time soon. With the loss or revenue from the home crisis, they can barely pay their salaries. Don't fall into this pitfall. JEC is a good company, just don't expect miracles from the governement on this one.

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marc64 (98.23) Submitted: 4/06/08 12:53 PM

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You are right to be skeptical; what should happen, is not always likely to happen. The wind on the back of some big changes is the dire condition of the USA's economy. If things get worse (as I beleive they will), there will be an expectation of dramatic action. Democrats are likely to brush off FDR for rhetorical points, and the progammatic details of FDR's response to the crisis in the 30's will not be far behind..

Regarding long term thinking in Washington, remember that the first, big thing Clinton did was to get his budget passed. It was a war to get through, but the fact that he pulled out all the stops and it squeaked through was a long term strategy that paid off during Clinton's own term and helped him in his worst days, and that Hillary is still milking the economic "boom" that resulted in her own campaign. This is to say, the current political season is exactly the platform on which long term economic strategy commitments to infrastructure might be possible, and as things go from bad to worse, people will be looking for a plan.

On the other hand, you are right: sadly, government is (like 'youth" on the "young") absolutely wasted on politicians.

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