RAILforum: Agressive grass-roots campaign idea

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Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

I've been toying with a grass-roots political action idea, and I'd like to know what you thoughtful people think of it.

I've read the NARP plan for Amtrak and I found much to like. It calls for a long-term vision ("vision first, then funding"), incentives to encourage the freight railroads to upgrade their infrastructure, a 2-4 cent increase in the gas tax to pay for it, and a whole lot more.

I read the Bush/Mineta's plan outline and found much to distrust. Basicly they re-read the ARC plan (which has some good points and some klinkers), but Bush/Mineta took out the most essential element: funding. The ARC made it very clear that Amtrak, or whatever replaces it, will require a stable source of federal funding. But Bush/Mineta say they want Amtrak's national system to become dependent on 50 different state budgets. That would spell the end of most interstate services.

Now for my idea.

First: Everyone download the NARP plan, which is available in PDF format at http://www.narprail.org/plan.htm

Second, print either 1) the entire plan (which is 76 pages) or 2) the five page Executive Summary which is at the beginning of the document. Mail the plan (or the Executive Summary) to:

Norman Mineta
Department of Transportation
400 7th St. SW
Washington, DC 20590

Include a brief cover letter explaining in your own words why you think the NARP plan is better than the administration plan.

(I should add that you need not agree with every jot and tittle in the NARP plan. It is a good starting point, not necessarily the final word.)

Third, e-mail anyone you know who might be supportive of this and encourage them to do the same. Thy should in turn forward the message on to others until the whole thing snowballs across the internet. It is especially important to get people involved who are not railfans, just people who like to travel comfortably and efficiently from place to place. That covers most everyone.

The idea here is to fill Mineta's office hip deep with copies of the NARP plan to make a point that Americans demand a decent national rail network and we expect Washington to play a major role. Then maybe the Bush Administration will finally get the picture.

If you have the time you might also send copies to your congressional delegation, local government officials, etc, and ask them to support it as well. If you are really ambitious you might even send copies to your local newspapers and TV stations to educate their reporters.

I've written to Saveamtrak.org and Friends of Amtrak asking what they thought of the idea, but got no response. So I'm laying it out here to see what you guys and gals think.

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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

[This message has been edited by Mr. Toy (edited 06-30-2002).]

Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :

I think it's a great idea Mr Toy. This week is also a good time to call the local offices of our Senators & Representatives. They are on recess now & many will be available at the local offices.
Although we have good support in the Senate, support in the House is lagging. Calling or faxing your support of Amtrak to your Representative in the House would go far to firm up support there.
The House & Senate is where the big battles are to be staged following the recess.
Now is the time to act.

Reggie

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[This message has been edited by reggierail (edited 06-30-2002).]

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

Thank's reggie, but aside from you, I'm not detecting a great deal of enthusiasm. Disappointing.

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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :

There's one thing I would like to stress to everyone, each letter written to a member of Congress or to other political officials is taken as representing 5,000 people who think the same but don't write a letter. I have spoken with numerous knowledgable people who have confirmed this.
It might make it easier for more of us to communicate our views, knowning how much good can be done by just one letter.
Keep those cards and letters coming.

Reggie

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Posted by DisbandAmtrak (Member # 1429) on :

One of my senators is on the transportation commitee and I have written to her. Patty Murray D-WA.

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

Your points about writing our reps is well taken, and I think they are listening (I especially like the things Patty Murray is saying. She's been a source of great one-liners).

But it is vital the Bush administration gets behind this, because he has veto power. I am especially disappointed by Mineta's disdain for long-distance trains. If the Secretary of Transportation isn't supporting them, it makes our cause much more difficult. The point of my idea is to change his mind.

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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

Posted by milwaukee222 (Member # 1761) on :

I love your idea! It would be a wonderful way to save Amtrak and increase ridership! Of all the ideas, schemes and plans I've seen, I'd say yours takes the cake! Wow!