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The President is still talking about high(er) speed rail..... something that I find surprising given the outcome of the November elections.
Is there anything to be encouraged by here or is this perhaps a smokescreen to occupy the naysayers while the administration works on other things relatively unnoticed?
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It's the "vision" thing, David. Anyway, what do election results have to do with improving the nation's transportation and infrastructure systems?
The thing about vision is that a lot of people are myopic. The horizon, say 50 years out, is difficult to bring into focus, but someone's got to try.
Question, of course, is whether the public or private sector should take the lead, and therein lies the rub.
CG96 Member # 1408
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It can be a difficult thing, as well. By making Improved Passenger Rail service a hallmark of the Obama Administration, or a legacy of the Obama Administration, makes it something of a target for those who wish to oppose everything Obama. We must get to our elected officials, State, local, and Federal, and make our views on such a program known. Many who have recently been elected into office already believe what the Reason Foundation, CATO Institute, et al., have said regarding Rail. The long knives are out in force. We will have to play defense for a couple of legislative sessions, in order to position our efforts when something better comes along.
George Harris Member # 2077
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Obama promoting rail gives me the same warm feeling as using "Global Warming" as the justification for reduction in petroleum and other energy usage.
They have politicized something that should happen regardless of political persuasion.
(I am a global warming skeptic. I feet it is a cyclical thing similar to the uproar about global cooling 30 to 40 years ago. This too shall pass and those that hung their hats on it will lose credibility, including that concerning what should be done with or without the phenomena that has them in an uproar.)
Mike Smith Member # 447
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We cannot afford this, at this time. We must dramatically cut spending.
1.5 TRILLION dollar deficits will destroy our Nation.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Some believe we can't afford NOT to do this at this time. Here is NARP's press release:
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If Congress takes away $58 billion from HUD, EPA, FCC, DOE, EEOC or some other non-essential agency, then OK.
My solution to the unbelievably huge Federal deficit is to adopt the 2007 Federal budget, but that is way too realistic for the people infesting Washington DC
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