RE: The economics and politics of supertrains
The problem with super trains is the same cultural/political/ideological handicap that gives the US the inability to adequately address air pollution, global warming, foreign energy dependence, etc. That is, the inability to assess the actual social, environmental and national security cost on energy supplies. Countries with advanced high speed train systems levy taxes on energy that more closely reflects these costs. If our energy costs were as high, natural economic self-interest would make investment in these systems (even by government) a matter of public mandate - and the revenue generated would pay for it.
Americans, culturally, are self-centered and adverse to paying taxes - regardless of the need. That, coupled with our laissez-faire campaign financing assure "the best government money can buy." And it has been - by Big Energy!
