Amtrak receives $1.5 billion in subsidies. Waterways receive $6 billion in subsidies. Airways receive $14 billion in subsidies. Roadways receive $37 billion in subsidies.
All of these figures are over and above all fees and taxes assessed for each entity.
And remember, the democrats and obama insisted that our federal government spend trillions upon trillions of dollars and take over our medical insurance industry so 30 million “poor souls” could have insurance.
smitty195 Member # 5102
posted
Mike and "conservative" in the same sentence??? Oh my gosh, it really has frozen over hasn't it?
(That was "Ocala" Mike of course, not my internet brother).
I wonder if Trump will ever mention Amtrak at all during this campaign? There's plenty of time left! He could write a check and for three times what Amtrak receives in subsidies and he'll still have lots leftover. He is worth 10 Billion, and I couldn't really picture how much 10 billion dollars is. I Googled it and there are a couple of neat videos that demonstrate how much money that truly is. Millions and millions of dollars is like pennies compared to 10 billion. It's a pretty astonishing number.
Sorry I haven't been around in a while on this forum. I am still here (obviously), and alive and well. I have been tied up with a bit of depression and overwhelmed with work due to two specific reasons: 1) I've lost 11 friends in 10 months, and I'm still trying to grasp what happened (one was a suicide which never should have happened), and 2) my dad had a major heart attack at the beginning of June. CPR and everything. The AED shocked him a few times and they got back his heartbeat but not the breathing. Very, very long stories short....He made it after being in three different facilities which were all excellent, and it's a miracle he's still walking around. Much slower and with a cane, and a short-term memory that is almost non-existant, but he's still here! Huge change in his personality (for the better) when he was in the hospital. He was finally starting to "get it" (life) and it was fantastic. But now that he's home, that awesome personality hid itself again. I'm sure some of you (or most of you) have dealt with an elderly parent or taking care of someone close to you before, but it was all new for me. My mom could not do it (she's 82, dad is 84) and her memory is poor, so it all fell upon my shoulders and it really beat me up (mentally). So much work....I never knew.
Anyway, my summer did not exist. The whole thing came and went without me knowing about it. Amazing how time just flies when you're distracted by bigger things. But I am craving an Amtrak trip so I might do one with a buddy next month. I've got a freebie package to Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, and my Amtrak buddies all managed to get on the same crew and schedule (Engineers and Conductors) taking the Zephyr back and forth to Reno from Emeryville. So it might be fun to make sure I book my trip on a day when they're working and then take advantage of the freebie I got in the mail. It's 2 free nights, $100 pre-loaded onto my card for any slot on the property, and $30 in F&B credit. That's hard to turn down so I'll probably do it.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
posted
smitty, I had a bout of depression brought on by those types of "family" issues many years ago. I was treated with antidepressants and cognitive therapy, and I can only say that I know what you're going through. By all means, seek competent treatment - don't be like most guys who say "it'll probably go away.
Pulling for you here.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Andy, pulling for you around these parts as well, for I too have had "issues" to address in this life, and that several here who know me face to face are aware of.
palmland Member # 4344
posted
Smitty, sorry to hear of your rough year. Hope it improves. We've found our church family a source of support when needed.
But, as you know, a good train trip cures all ills!
PullmanCo Member # 1138
posted
Like others, asking for and using care is a good thing. Been there, done that
We all are imperfect, we all deal with it, we all pull together!
John
Mike Smith Member # 447
posted
Hopefully, things are getting better, Andy.
As an FYI, did you know that Ocala, FL is the birthplace of scenario paintball. (Paintball is a game where people can go into the woods and point guns at each other and shoot each other)
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
posted
Didn't know that, Mike, but it figures. We have the "rainbow people" (modern-day hippies) who are basically homeless and live in the Ocala National Forest (way the other side of town from me). They've been known to fire REAL guns at census takers, tax collectors, and other "revenooer" types.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
Hi Smitty -
I'm sorry to hear that it has been a hard time for you.
I've done alot more reading and alot less posting in the last 14 months or so. It's a combination of things including being executor for my mom's estate (hopefully about to begin the last phase - if that one last check that is 'in the mail' arrives this week, I can make the final deposit and pay the heirs) and a growing dissatisfaction with how things are 'out on the property' with the American passenger train.
I've always believed that allowing matters of transit infrastructure and mass transit to become politicized was a problem. Realizing that the United States could do better and willfully does not depresses me as well. Face it, I've seen passenger rail in Europe and.....well...... Amtrak just won't ever be the same again.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
To return to a more passenger railroad line of thought, one must wonder after all these Republicans get done whacking themselves around and somebody accepts a nomination, might Amtrak interests be favorably affected by any of 'em, should one raise their right come that Jan 20th?
posted ![[Smile]](smile.gif)