RE: US government kick-starts $8 billion in high-speed rail projects
Sorry Scott, but building some fast, shiny new trains will do nothing to get us "back on top in healthcare, education, standard of living, happiness, longevity, infant mortality, science, etc, etc."
Schools are cutting back on expenses, and in many cases closing; people are homeless and starving; even my local law enforcement laid off some officers because of a "lack" of funds...and the government is going to throw eight BILLION dollars at trains?? This is so unnecessary it's ridiculous.
Aren't all these destinations already accessible by "regular" trains, buses and planes? How many different choices do we need? And sadly, a sizable percentage of Americans feel that they are "above" public transportation (other than flying) anyway.
So now I'll be able to get from Minneapolis to Chicago in four hours instead of eight -whoopie!Or, I could just book the 45 minute flight for $99 r/t, which, after checking Amtrak's rates, was about the same.
This is obviously about money, not what's best for this country. Looks like the lobbyists and Washington DC have raped us again.
P.S. I completely agree with MikeBytes as well.
