Quote:
Originally Posted by ardecila
Democrats bungled it. They could have sold higher-speed rail as a low-cost, responsible, modest way to upgrade our transportation network during a tough economy. That would have given ammo to the opponents of the California project, but it would have helped build a national consensus for rail that might eventually float all boats.
Instead, Obama lumped all rail investments into the HSR category, which really doesn't help anybody distinguish between the crazy-expensive 220mph systems and the modest 110mph systems. Ohio's planned line didn't even meet that standard, with a 79mph top speed and an average speed so low that could be equaled on horseback.
Democrats just don't understand modesty, do they?
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Yours has to be the most completely false assessment I've ever heard of this issue. The fact is that Republicans publicly equate HSR with communism and that everyone should be driving in their cars. GOP governors actually had enough insanity to reject funds for HSR. They rejected it on the basis of "cutting costs" while they ignore the jobs it would create. Privately they will cut costs only selectively to fit in with their corporate campaign donors' wishes then sell you on how "fiscally conservative" they are. It's insane.
At least California has the brains to progress.