[quote=pri_dk][quote=Allan from Fallbrook]Pri: Except that I NEVER said a thing about ROI on infrastructure projects. I was making the point that, while the money is undoubtedly well spent, the existing public works system is COMPLETELY INCAPABLE of taking that sort of money in right now and putting it to beneficial use.[/quote]
I’m confused by the above.
Are ‘beneficial use’ and ROI different? Isn’t return a measure of ‘benefit?’ (And how is something that is ‘well spent’ not ‘beneficial?’)
ROI is just a basic, objective mathematical estimate as to whether an endeavor is ‘worth it’ relative to the costs. Of course there are always assumptions and estimates that go into those calculations, but that’s true with any nontrivial financial decision.
It comes down to this: Do the math. If the ROI meets the threshold (and there are no alternatives with better ROI), then it’s a good course of action.
Allan, you seem to be suggesting we are in a state where no public project will have a positive, or acceptable ROI. (Or else you are using some other, unstated, method to evaluate merit.)[/quote]
Pri: Ah, time to bandy semantics, eh? Yes, pri, in this case “beneficial use” and “ROI” are completely and distinctly different.
In this case, “beneficial use” refers to the best possible deployment of public funds for public use and in keeping with the existing system for letting projects (which is wholly unrelated to making the ROI case for deploying those self-same funds).
My argument, which has NOT changed one iota, is that the existing public works systems is not geared to absorb the amount of money that ARRA spat its way (AGAIN, pri, refer to Obama’s “shovel-ready” comment) and thus deploy that same money effectively. THAT is completely different from ascertaining whether said money will return an acceptable ROI.
You, however, were caught flat-footed and wrong-footed because you failed to read what I wrote (or you read it and failed to understand it). In true pri fashion, you then attempted to turn the argument into something else entirely and began playing games with the words.
Do NOT put words in my mouth and do not try to establish intent where there is none. You tried this shit with Dave and he took you to the woodshed. Focus on what the words really mean, pri, and quit playing games. Like I said previously, I ain’t engaging in this nonsensical bullshit with you.
