A Construction Project in Congressman Foghorn's District Is Unfinished

question 141

Essay

A construction project in Congressman Foghorn's district is unfinished.Foghorn has asked that a new appropriations bill include funds to complete the project, despite a report by an independent agency that the project is a waste of taxpayer money.Foghorn's project is a bridge that crosses a river between two cities in his district.The press has criticized Foghorn and dubbed the project "a bridge too far" since another bridge, located closer to the same two cities Foghorn's bridge will connect, already exists and can accommodate all traffic between the two cities.Foghorn argues that if the bridge project is not completed, the $50 million already spent will have been wasted.Is Foghorn's argument economically rational? Explain your answer.

---

Definitions:

Harmony

A state of agreement, consistency, or congruence within oneself or among individuals/groups, often aiming for peaceful relations.

Western Culture

Refers to the social norms, values, traditions, and artifacts originating from countries in the Western part of the world, particularly Europe and North America.

Materialism

A philosophical or societal focus on physical possessions and wealth as primary sources of happiness or success.

Empirical Science

A branch of science based on observation and experiment, rather than theory alone.