We are linking you to this article by Arthur Frommer on the Lakeland, FL, Ledger's Web site: http://www.theledger.com/article/20080210/NEWS/802100347/1326.
The reason? We agree with everything Mr. Frommer has to say about the future of Passenger Rail in these United States. We also agree that one of the best things we who want Passenger Rail in this nation's future can do is urge all who will listen not to vote for incumbents who do not support subsidizing Passenger Rail. That sounds like too many negatives. What we are saying is, "Throw the bums out."
The Task is the creation of a modern Passenger Rail system that serves all of the population centers of this great nation.
We are still unwilling to agree with those who think the entity called Amtrak must survive and carry on The Task. Whatever form it takes, Pasenger Rail must be more market sensitive and less strapped for cash than Amtrak has been in all of its history. Whether Amtrak can evolve enough to accomplish this remains to be seen. Whether our Congress can evolve enough to accomplish The Task is doubtful, given the full court press we have seen from some of our senators and representatives to altogether dump the "anachronism" that they see as Passenger Rail.
So we are also unwilling to agree that any incumbent can survive and change enough to carry on The Task. With the presidential contestants almost in the bag -- it will be Hillarobama v. John "I was a prisoner of war - support the War" McCain -- the best thing we can do for now is build up a groundswell against all who vote regularly against subsidizing a national passenger rail system. (Alternately: "for" all those who support the subsidy. But throwing out the bastards will be oh so much more satisfying, won't it? And incumbents already carry more baggage than an Amtrak Superliner.)
Remember, the President is an administrator, while the Congress legislates. If we can get a majority "for" Passenger Rail in both the Senate and House, we don't need no stinking President.
© 2008 - C. A. Turek - mistertrains@gmail.com
2 comments:
Post about how to get there:
The National Limited, National Passenger Rail Planning, and NARP
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/11/5108.html
The reason to move cautiously in dimantalling Amtrak is that there is no strong alternative. There are possible alternatives in theory, but none waiting in the wings.
I do think that much of Amtrak's problems are it's own making and that it would help the cause of intercity passenger rail to develop alternatives.
This is partly a matter of changing the business climate for passenger trains. That would take legislation, but not necessarily budgeting:
- liability protection
- tax-free bonding
- tax credits to freight railroads and real estate developers for investments that benefit passenger service.
I also think it would be good to nurture along some alternatives. What if we encouraged some new intercity operations that are not run by Amtrak. Say, Albequrque -Santa Fe, for example? Or freight railroad services, subsidized.
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