northnorthwest
Service Attendant
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2013
- Messages
- 158
I've been thinking (always dangerous), and please forgive me if this is thoroughly covered on other threads, but I don't understand why more politicians aren't more behind passenger rail in the US. To me it seems like a perfect example for creating jobs, improving the environment, improving living conditions and all the rest of it. Why don't I hear about every politician fighting for better service in their district or state? And arguing for all the merits that come with it?
When I do hear about rail from politicians it's always in the form of an attack about how Amtrak needs to be dismembered, how it doesn't make a profit, etc.
Is it just a matter of lobbying, and Amtrak/passenger rail not having a seat at the table? Or are there more rail advocates I don't hear from? Or they just aren't covered in the press?
There are so many jobs that could be created and so much money that could be made on high speed rail projects (or even improvements), plus all the economic activity that comes with connecting cities and bringing individual cities into clusters of megalopolitan areas. To me it's a no-brainer.
I know rail doesn't have the fear factor of EBOLA or the latest scandal, but it just seems like such an obvious thing to pursue (thus Europe and China/Korea/Japan's networks).
I DON'T GET IT!
When I do hear about rail from politicians it's always in the form of an attack about how Amtrak needs to be dismembered, how it doesn't make a profit, etc.
Is it just a matter of lobbying, and Amtrak/passenger rail not having a seat at the table? Or are there more rail advocates I don't hear from? Or they just aren't covered in the press?
There are so many jobs that could be created and so much money that could be made on high speed rail projects (or even improvements), plus all the economic activity that comes with connecting cities and bringing individual cities into clusters of megalopolitan areas. To me it's a no-brainer.
I know rail doesn't have the fear factor of EBOLA or the latest scandal, but it just seems like such an obvious thing to pursue (thus Europe and China/Korea/Japan's networks).
I DON'T GET IT!