Sure! Here's an engaging podcast-style summary of the video "Why the US Doesn't Build Anymore" from Ezra Klein on Vox, optimized for audio and spoken-word format:

Podcast Summary:

Ever wondered why it takes years—sometimes decades—for the United States to build big things like subways, bridges, or even housing? In this explainer, Ezra Klein dives deep into America's construction paralysis, revealing why we spend more than ever—and get less in return. From a tangle of permitting laws and local opposition to ballooning bureaucracies and what Klein calls “vetocracy,” America’s problem isn’t a lack of funding. It’s death by a thousand process cuts. As Klein puts it, “We’ve replaced the question, ‘Should the government do it?’ with ‘Can the government do it?’” The result? Projects stall, costs skyrocket, and the nation falls behind economically and environmentally. This episode doesn’t just critique—it explores how other countries do it better, and what needs to change if the U.S. wants to start building again.

Key Points:

• The U.S. spends more on infrastructure per mile (or unit) than almost any other country—yet gets far less done.

  • For example, the Second Avenue Subway in New York City cost $2.5 billion per mile—five to ten times more than similar projects in Europe.

• Bureaucracy and regulations significantly slow down construction.

  • The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires extensive environmental reviews that can take over a decade for major projects.

• Local opposition and "NIMBYism" (Not In My Backyard) delay or kill projects.

  • Even well-meaning activists can block essential developments like affordable housing or public transit upgrades.

• Ezra Klein emphasizes the concept of “vetocracy”—a system where too many actors (agencies, neighborhood groups, courts) can veto projects.

  • “In trying to give everyone a voice, we’ve given everyone a way to stop everything.”

• Countries like France and Germany streamline their processes for faster, cheaper builds.

  • For example, they limit the number of agencies involved and put time limits on review periods.

• Reform ideas suggested include:

  • Simplifying permitting processes,
  • Centralizing decision-making authority,
  • Setting legal time limits for environmental reviews,
  • Incentivizing development through federal funding tied to performance.

• The video references research from the Transit Costs Project, which tracks construction costs globally.

  • It also draws from Klein’s past interviews with policy experts, including his podcast with Jerusalem Demsas on infrastructure gridlock.

Bonus Fact: Norway managed to build the massive Follo high-speed rail tunnel in less time and for less money per mile than nearly any American urban transit project.

Recommended Resources (mentioned or implied):

• TransitCosts.com – from NYU’s Marron Institute, tracking global transit-cost disparities.
• Ezra Klein Show podcast – for deeper dives on U.S. policy dysfunction.

Overall, this episode pulls back the curtain on America’s infrastructure bottleneck—offering a rare mix of sharp analysis and actionable insight.

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