Shocking Third-Rail Revelation

If, as a nation, we’ve become so easily convinced that the only way to get ourselves out of debt is by casting vision on building infrastructure projects that have uncertain end results – consistent, annual revenue and jobs – then I think the only area in which President Obama is earning high marks is in pulling the wool over our nation’s eyes. While the Bush administration aimed to curtail federal spending based on Amtrak’s faltering system of low ridership as a means to make its decision-makers more accountable for the services they offer, Obama’s notion, “There’s no reason why we can’t do this,” can be understood as saying lineup for more free money. So in five years or sooner, are we going to have to again “bailout” the railway systems too, because that's what we are essentially doing now, right, with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act?

At any point in time are greedy Americans, who have not been good stewards of their private money, and perhaps public money, going to confess that this nation is living outside its means? And for those who don’t have a spending problem, how much longer are they going to have to foot the bill?

Alas, due to the “green” economy push, this type of transportation must be the solution, but is that according to what riders are telling you or is that from some genius who tweaked the numbers to say what you want them to say? While Obama believes we are behind the European transportation curve, and in just about everything else, does he even take into account that not all Americans are cut from the same mold? In certain parts of Italy, there are lanes specifically designated for Maseratis and Ferraris, and who wouldn’t love to drive on the Autobahn? Here in America, do you really think people, like riders of the two wheel kind, are just going to start taking the train?

I would think the thought of traveling with three kids on a train more than a few times a year would only be appealing to a small segment of the overall population. I would think traveling with three kids already takes up much of a parents' attention, and that adding another element of safety would make the train perhaps not look as attractive. The reappearance of the train doesn't sound family-friendly. The thought that what works in one region of the country is going to work in all regions is downright nonsense.