The Crumbling of America DVD

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This production gets right to the point of outlining the totally deplorable conditions that the infrastructure that is holding this country together has degraded to today. When you see just how overworked and outdated the electrical grid is today and it was absolutely NEVER intended to carry the current load it has to handle today, it's a wonder that the grid is working at all on hot summer afternoons when the power grid typically hits its peak value for demand. Take a peek at just antique some of the sewer systems are across this country, and the sewers are literally collapsing below ground and dumping the sewage into water sources it was never intended to be near. Cross-country water sources like the one up in New York are leaking out so much water wastefully that a huge percentage of the water coming down to NYC is lost at a broken limestone section that even gave the people who were doing the initial tunneling major fits, it's washing out the soil beneath homes near the breaks in the massive tunnel, bookoos of gallons are lost daily to what becomes runoff water where some of the leaks at this region come to the surface, and it's only a matter of time before the residents in this town will have to relocate as a result of the water tunnel leakage flooding out their basements repeatedly as well as keeping the soil softened and creating sinkholes near the leaks. Natural gas lines will eventually need upgrading, many bridges are totally outdated and in failing condition at this moment but no funds exist to either repair or replace such structures on a widespread basis, highways are so far behind the times that it has gone beyond ridiculous at the amount of traffic trying to navigate on roads that were only designed for 10% of the traffic seen today, and the roads are literally falling apart regardless of the type of material used. Wherever you stop and look for a minute, you will see that everything in sight as well as everything buried out of sight and not readily visible has already exceeded its service life and maximum loading many, many years ago. The "perfect storm" of failures is already here, and this DVD gives you some good information that you can literally sink your teeth into as well as readily see wherever you look around you. What about all of the aging dams across the country that are becoming more and more prone to sudden failure out of the blue, yet nothing is being done to repair these structures.....even Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River (upstream of Nashville, Tennessee) is a massive manmade disaster just itching to happen as this dam was built on totally unstable ground that has already tried to wash out multiple times up to now, and even the patches to block the water pouring out underground beneath the dam has failed to totally seal up the structure adequately, and WHEN this dam fails it will inundate Nashville much worse than the 25 feet above flood stage the Cumberland River went up to a few years back from just rainfall. When you have rocks landing on your car that are falling from a bridge level up above you collapsing, it's obvious that things are not going well. The vast majority of items across this country were generally sized to accomodate the needs back when the structures were built, but overloading and/or the elements and/or pure age and material deterioration has taken this country past the point of failures in many respects. This DVD will definitely get your attention to highlight existing major problems that already exist right NOW.

It's a "must see" DVD, and become accustomed to sizing up most anything you notice in the future after seeing the video....the noticed results will indeed scare you!

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I have seen this documentary some 3-4 times since it was released on History Channel. For me, the matter-of-fact, un-hysterical approach of the narrator heightens the impact of the film's devastating message. But I wonder if there aren't many American voters who might be lulled by it's failure to scream it's message a la most modern TV messengers? This is not a criticism of the film but of it's competitors and its intended audience. It's hard to believe this film is now three years old and no one in Congress yet seems aware of it? Are they avoiding it? (Of course they are!)

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OMG!!! I'm watching this 2 hr special now but it was made in 2009. Unbelievable we ignored these essential needs while building a mountain of debt. Restoring our infrastructure (damns, highways, bridges, levies, water supply, sewage systems, energy supply...), could put all Americans (and our illegal immigrants) to work. Infrastructure repair is vital to our national economy and our national security. Unfortunately the GOP is more interested in cutting programs and refusing to increase taxes. I guess that leaves the magic of market place or a miracle from God to correct these flaws. Oh wait...a constitutional Amendment to balance the budget. That will fix it...

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This is a great movie that really brings to light all the things we take for granted. I work for a municipal water district, and I can say first hand this is reality. Politics have taken over our culture it seems. This movie is a great example of that. In the midst of the economy's shortfalls, the city I live in has allocated over 70% of their budget to police & fire, yet has laid off all their street maintainence crew. It's a very sad time, but there is always hope.

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I don't own this DVD but have seen this program on numerous occasions. This program should be mandatory viewing for all members of Congress. Maybe then they would end foreign aid.

Building bridges and roads in Iraq and an embassy in the UK is ludicrous and just plain stupid while our entire infrastructure is crumbling.

Downright scary stuff but should be seen by all!

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In my opinion the rest of the country needs to take notice of South Dakota on matters like these. South Dakota rebuilds its entire interstate system about every 10 years. They start at one end of the state then work their way to the other, then turn around and do it all over again. Every state gets money from the government to spend on roads every year. Its just the fact that many states to use that to its best extent.

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this is absolutely great and i think that everyone should watch, i'm a road supervisor for a township in ohio. people dont understand what is happening right in front of their eyes. they just drive on it everyday and dont care. they will care when roads are impassible because of roads and drainage falling apart.

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Caught this on cable last night. Eye opening, informative, riveting and presented in a matter of fact way that did not leave me depressed. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge on the state of our infrastructure.

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I am currently studying to be a civil engineer and found all the topics covered in this documentary to be extremely pertinent to what we as future engineers need to be studying. The amount of work that needs to go into repairing the "literal" foundation of our nation is mind-boggling! I am suggesting this video to my instructors, as I feel this would be a great addition to our studies on a whole. Also, to emphasize the mistakes made of past generations, so that this will not happen to us again!

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I'm working within the water & sewer industry and see many of the issues addressed directly and indirectly in my everyday activities. The show is very accurate and the key is we have not thought longterm. Maintenance, rehab & replacement have not been properly funded. The costs to the people who benefit are politically too hard to sell for policy makers..... they fear not getting re-elected more than they fear the long-term consequences of underfunding the upkeep of existing infrastrucure

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I just wish this Doc. had a theatrical release...
It would definitely start raising eyebrows to a real important issue that has been left unnoticed for years....

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I have been trying to watch for the next showing so I can notify many, many people. This is a MUST SEE for every American. This situation is a danger to many Americans and not to address it puts people in peril. Imagine the jobs, material sales,and boost to the economy if all the Stimulus money had been directed to fixing these major problems across all the states.

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This Documentary is a must see for every person living in America. Talk about a hidden secert, this is it, and it need to be exposed. When, I saw this story, I litterly trimble. This problem that lies beneath us, could be more deadly than any Terrorist we are protecting ourselves against.
Our aging underground infrastructure system needs to be address and we need to do it now. America do not need another 9/11.

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This documentary is extremely well done, showing the bare reality based on actual facts, nothing less nothing more.
If the US govt don't act now on getting its acts together, the country will be left behind, and at high risks of major catastrophies, which will be very costly (both $$$ wise and human life wise).
It is time to understand that spending the money now is an investment for the future, and that respecting our planet today will ensure a place to live for the future generations.
A must see for all, along with with Al Gore "An inconvenient truth".

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This is an excellent documentary -- the best I have seen on the dreadful state of America's critical infrastructure. I have been working to increase the public's and decision makers' awareness of the need for serious reinvestment in American infrastructure for two years now. I have put three of the experts interviewed in this film on panel discussions at public forums. We should be showing this film in high school and college classrooms and at town hall meetings nationwide. This is serious stuff. We are going to see deaths and injuries, as well as a diminished quality of life in this country unless we quickly address these issues and get to work building an infrastructure for the 21st century.

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Instead of spending money on national healthcare we should put money in our USA infrastructure. Very informative DVD that gives you the big picture of a ticking bomb that will be set off anytime soon and that will disrupt USA business across the country. Talk about a business disruption and the medical emergencies we will face.

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This is the most amazing overview of how the critical infrastructure of the United States - much of which was put in place after World War II - is completely obsolete. Before redirecting funds away from such infrastructures, this documentary forces you to ask yourself "If that road/bridge/electricity/sewer line/water line/etc. WERE NOT THERE today, would you build it??" You cannot count on these things to be around forever! In addition, this infrastructure has been proven to increase productivity (thus improving the economy!) for generations of Americans.