Ezra Klein thinks it is too difficult to build things in America, and that the left’s enthusiasm for slow, methodical process is a big part of the reason. Is he right, and if so, what can be done about it?
He is correct, but the processes were created for a reason, as Trump reminds us every day. First, having set, transparent, enforceable procedural rules reduces the potential for corruption. Second, rules make arbitrary decisions with highly negative long-term results less likely. Third, they provide some degree of assurance that historically powerless people will have their voices heard. It is far less likely that interstate highways will be bulldozed through vibrant neighborhoods of poor people today than it was 50 years ago.
If we had no alternatives between the kind of autocracy supported by Trump and Musk or a regulatory swamp, I would choose the latter. There is, however, plenty of middle ground here. I will discuss ways of improving the system in my next post.