Until recently, this Nation was the global leader when it came to building the greatest bridges, the greatest interstates, the greatest tunnels and canals and ports and railways. From coast to coast, we're reminded of those golden days of innovation and energy and vigor and innovation and investment that ultimately set our nation apart from the rest of the world. But those days of big ideas, bold ideas, bold investments and preparing for the future seem to be behind us. This nation, which once dared to dream, dared to lead, has retreated from the legacy of our predecessors. We're unable to pass long-term funding transportation bills rooted in bold ideas. Instead, we're now focused on the nickels and dimes of our deficit and mainly because of the high political costs associated with proposing any kind of revenue increases. In other words, win the election, that's what counts. Help the country; well, yes, that'd be good, but don't take any chances on the election. That thinking is deep and thick in this Senate and in this Congress. It is this short-sightedness that has left us with a broken and increasingly second-rate transportation system.