why infrastructure

In the United States, infrastructure is largely (but not exclusively) driven through public private partnerships (P3s). Infrastructure, which is, depending on the vertical, a cashflow generating asset for anywhere between 15-75 years is subject to the whims of election cycles which happen up to, but usually less than, every 6 years. This means there is a myopic focus for politicians. This mindset does not often lend itself to be a suitable environment to infrastructure investing; ie: strong regulations for 8 years then strong de-regulation for 8 years.

Infrastructure investing is great to me for two reasons:

1) You're investing into a well-known, de-risked (with the proper understanding and steps), macro-economically influenced strategy of investing. The best players are consistently able to deliver excellent risk-adjusted returns.

2) You're helping your community/county/state/country in a way that outlasts lifetimes. Not to get too preachy, but you are investing in a strategy that delivers excellent private returns, but also ends up being a net public benefit.

It's hard to make that case in many different strategies ie: buyout firms stripping down companies, firing workers, and making them more efficient. I agree that, over the long-term, the company being made more efficient is a net social benefit, but it is tough to make that case at the outset when it begins by laying off thousands of workers.