I'm with MS on this.

Spend decades de-funding public works, whilst we all live and play and do business in those public works. Then, as they crumble, push the public sphere into private hands...and expect everything to be better. Part of the success of the private realm in this country is due in no small part to the robust and encompassing public domain built by the New Deal and by all the 1950's public works projects.

Texas is a state whose social contract and public infrastructure are so badly erroded I would hesitate to use it as a good example of anything.

I've lived in states where I've paid some pretty darn high vehicle taxes...and the roads and infrastructure were pretty nice. I live in Texas now, where everyone says the low taxes are so wonderful, and at the same time they gripe about the terrible condition of the roads. (Maybe there's a connection there...hmmm...) I gripe too, but the difference between me and the Texans is that I fervently wish the vehicle associated taxes would go up to fund publicly fixing them.

I work for a small consultancy, only 30 people, but we work WITH lots of local councils. Most of them seem to show the same symptoms.