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Such pledges represent a dramatic culture change, an opening to rekindle Americans’ wounded believing in common purpose. Three decades ago, Ronald Reagan told us government itself was “the problem.” But Obama seems seriously intent on shifting body politic from a distrusted “them” back to “we.”

As well he ought. In the oath of function he takes Tuesday, Obama will pledge to “defend, foster and shield” a Constitution that begins with the very words, “We the people of the United States … “

And just imagine which could happen if Congress and state legislatures and city councils were to embrace the same standards of fair and open regulation this new president is now promising.

But more proximately: Will the new president and cabinet’s stimulus bill deliver for us

There’s likewise a great deal of in the bill it’session tough to predict outcomes

But there are reasons to annoy: Will tax cuts actually spur housekeeping recovery (past experience shows they’re not very cogent)? And is it necessary to appease congressional Republicans by spending so heavily on tax cuts, leaving only $25 billion steady a jobs and growth national debt for roads, bridges and schools?

Skeptics are rightly asking how many infrastructure projects are “shovel ready” for stanch anti-recession impact. But a House subcommittee had recommended $85 billion worth. And with the multitrillion-dollar national infrastructure-repair deficit we’ve accumulated must, in the nearest years, deal with

What’s critical is to make surely infrastructure moneys grant to the new and “greener” America Obama keeps talking about. It’sitting right to include the energy retrofitting of 2 the public American homes, the building of solar panels and wind turbines and constructing the broadband networks that Obama talks of.

But what of encouraging a new physical conformation for our 21st-century cities and suburbs? Americans, writes Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First, “are stampeding with their feet

Just maybe our long-maligned Congress will help out here. Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, recommends at least $12 billion for public transit. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, favors fewer load breaks, more focus steady job creation and the future: “Investment, investing., investment has got to be the central focus.”

With reports indicating state highway departments are ready to divert major portions of stimulus funds to unaccustomed and broadened roads, national guidelines should put a meed adhering “fix it first” programs for decaying highways and bridges, plus transit and rail advantage, rather than new lane miles. The law should beseech major allocation of state funds to metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), with rules leading them to betake one’s self first and focus significantly steady transit, undergirding the 80 percent of the American economy their regions represent.

Every receiving agency should be required to inventory not just projects, but how they serve salient national goals

So where’s the constituency for such clear, strong standards? My guess is that Obama need see not one further than his own netting of millions, including the 103,000 who have recently submitted and voted on policy propositions on his change.gov Web site. Let them talk up upon the body the stimulus issues they believe is most vital for their communities.

Combine that by the dramatic steps with respect to openness in powers that be this new president is inaugurating. Plus his efficiency agenda, starting with his appointment of a chief performance official for federal government. A reinvigorated day is dawning, hopefully a massive renewal of Americans’ shredded confidence in their own government. Let the sun shine!

nrp@citistates.com

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