Around here they don't just build highways. They build artworks. Overpasses have decorative walls and support beams, often with imbeded images, and then painted in soft earthtone colors. Medians and sides have sometimes elaborate landscaping with many varieties of plants and with curved concrete edging. Little attempt to stretch the dollars. And then they complain about not having enough money for other highways. Now toll roads are being proposed and built all around the area to make us pay more for more roads. But those new roads don't ride any better than their predecessors.
Same with schools. Basic school buildings are no longer considered. Now they have to be elaborate showplaces with multi million dollar high tech athletic facilities. And they too complain about the lack of money to build additional schools needed due to overcrowding. And I doubt the kids learn any better in those showplaces than we did in our basic brick buildings of long ago.
Oops!
Off my soapbox now.