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California passed the high speed rail bill. I did a little research. While there is some negatives, mainly the high cost, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives. I would love to see a massive train system all over the United States, including many new light rail systems within metro areas and high speed systems between metro areas. This is something Obama has been promoting and I believe it might be his best initiative. It will reduce highway AND skyway congestion, reduce pollution, provide thousands of new jobs and make it much more enjoyable in short commutes between and within metro areas. Many other areas of the world are way ahead of us in rail technology. It's an absolute no-brainer IMO.

fisherman bob wrote:Htp://www.ushsr.com
California passed the high speed rail bill. I did a little research. While there is some negatives, mainly the high cost, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives. I would love to see a massive train system all over the United States, including many new light rail systems within metro areas and high speed systems between metro areas. This is something Obama has been promoting and I believe it might be his best initiative. It will reduce highway AND skyway congestion, reduce pollution, provide thousands of new jobs and make it much more enjoyable in short commutes between and within metro areas. Many other areas of the world are way ahead of us in rail technology. It's an absolute no-brainer IMO.

I would like to see it too. My Mom and I are planning a trip to Chicago soon, were gonna go on the Amtrak ...With sleeper car... How cool is that?

It IS cool and wth the advent of automobiles early last century thousands of miles of train tracks were abadoned or torn out. Kansas City has been debating and voting on light rail for years. All the votes have been nay, except one year they surprisingly voted Yes, but the mayor at that time canceled the plan because he determined it to be economically unfeasible. I say it is economically unfeasble NOT to put light rail in here as gas powered automobiles will be extinct dnosaurs within a few decades.

Hmmmm, mixed feelings on this Bob.

I spent some time in Europe and grew to really appreciate a convenient rail service there but not at ANY price. For $69 Billion we probably could have built the Starship Enterprise and scheduled regular flights to the Andromeda galaxy. The Calif high speed rail is about 10X the cost of similar trains in Europe. This is estimated to cost every CA taxpayer about $4000 on average just to get it built. Because I am in a higher income group it will probably be $20K out of pocket for me. I could buy a nice used Porsche for that $$ and go anywhere I choose.

High speed rail at competitive world prices that is self supporting... I'm totally on board but at $69 Billion, If it looks like pork and smells like pork... it's a baconfest!

What is the definition of pork? Where is every dollar going? Are the trains going to be made in the USA? How many people will be employed? Once the train is up and running, how many people will be employed? What about the benefits of reduced pollution and reduced road congestion? I would assume those voting for it weighed the cost/benefit equation. Your $4000 dollars might give you a significant return on your investment.

FBob

A no brainer?

While I like the idea myself (I like trains and hate flying) the fact of the matter is, there is no money. CA is broke. So instead of trying to save money they raise taxes on business which cuts their tax revenue since businness leaves, and then they decide to spend another couple billion they don't have.

There is a possible alternative that isn't quite that stupid:

Have a referendum. If the people of CA want the darn thing, let them vote a tax increase to pay for it.

If that was done for all new proposals that will cost more than has been bugeted, we'd be in a lot better shape.

Talbot

I say build it and they will come. I believe the money will be wisely spent. Just my opinion.

MikeTalbot wrote:FBob

A no brainer?

While I like the idea myself (I like trains and hate flying) the fact of the matter is, there is no money. CA is broke. So instead of trying to save money they raise taxes on business which cuts their tax revenue since businness leaves, and then they decide to spend another couple billion they don't have.


Have a referendum. If the people of CA want the darn thing, let them vote a tax increase to pay for it.
Talbot

Sadly there was a proposition, the people voted and "the most expensive train ever built" was approved by the good voters of the bankrupt golden state. Welcome to California. Meanwhile TV and film companies, high tech firms, and many manufacturers are quietly relocating to AZ, TX, NV, NM, TN, and probably even Kansas as well as overseas. Anywhere but here. This is a certain job killer in CA as are most of the decisions coming from Sacramento these days. It's a bit like watching a drunken sailor running up a big tab at the bar knowing he ships out in the morning and won't be around to pay for it. I don't really want to pick up this drunk's tab.

This train is as close to the definition of pork as I know:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/In_politics_what_is_pork

Here is another writer's view. Like me, he is a fan of rail transport. Just not this one: http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/07/c ... peed-rail/

Maybe if we fully legalize, tax, and regulate our state's #1 cash crop (marijuana) it will help to dig us out of this giant hole.

Thejohnny7band wrote:

MikeTalbot wrote:FBob

A no brainer?

While I like the idea myself (I like trains and hate flying) the fact of the matter is, there is no money. CA is broke. So instead of trying to save money they raise taxes on business which cuts their tax revenue since businness leaves, and then they decide to spend another couple billion they don't have.


Have a referendum. If the people of CA want the darn thing, let them vote a tax increase to pay for it.
Talbot

Sadly there was a proposition, the people voted and "the most expensive train ever built" was approved by the good voters of the bankrupt golden state. Welcome to California. Meanwhile TV and film companies, high tech firms, and many manufacturers are quietly relocating to AZ, TX, NV, NM, TN, and probably even Kansas as well as overseas. Anywhere but here. This is a certain job killer in CA as are most of the decisions coming from Sacramento these days. It's a bit like watching a drunken sailor running up a big tab at the bar knowing he ships out in the morning and won't be around to pay for it. I don't really want to pick up this drunk's tab.

This train is as close to the definition of pork as I know:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/In_politics_what_is_pork

Here is another writer's view. Like me, he is a fan of rail transport. Just not this one: http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/07/c ... peed-rail/

Maybe if we fully legalize, tax, and regulate our state's #1 cash crop (marijuana) it will help to dig us out of this giant hole.

Johnny, I used to Live in San Diego. Fifteen years ago I saw this nonsense coming ...and nobody believed me... It is the reason I left that state for good... Don't get me wrong..Its a beautiful state and lots of cool things...But make no mistake...In many ways , I found CA to be a "good-ol boys" club, where employment hinged on who yer buds were (I Got passed over for a lucrative gig in La Jolla, because (and i only suspect) I didn't want to join the IT guy's church... How F'd up is that? I should have reported it, but I couldn't 'prove' it. And Gray Davis made me want to puke on everybody's shoes...

I don't agree with the whole Medical Marijuana thing...maybe some folks 'need' it..But I call "Bullshit". 35 years ago I would have voted for it...But I look around and I see that it's made a lot of people become stupid... But I cant prove that either...Either way, I hated living there, so I got out... bUt I must say...the trolly was awsome... Got around a lot on it.

Thejohnny7band wrote:Hmmmm, mixed feelings on this Bob.

I spent some time in Europe and grew to really appreciate a convenient rail service there but not at ANY price. For $69 Billion we probably could have built the Starship Enterprise and scheduled regular flights to the Andromeda galaxy. The Calif high speed rail is about 10X the cost of similar trains in Europe. This is estimated to cost every CA taxpayer about $4000 on average just to get it built. Because I am in a higher income group it will probably be $20K out of pocket for me. I could buy a nice used Porsche for that $$ and go anywhere I choose.

High speed rail at competitive world prices that is self supporting... I'm totally on board but at $69 Billion, If it looks like pork and smells like pork... it's a baconfest!

I wouldn't think of moving to a messed up state like CA. I'm trying to figure out a way to get out of NY.
J7 is probably closer to the reality than someone from Kansas Bob.
Besides,, he has a COOL video.
The facts are rail roads are very efficient (CSX) when they are owned and operated by free enterprise.
When they are government controlled,,,,, AMTRAK!!!! they are doomed to be another government controlled ,subsidized by tax payer dollar, waste.

You have already fallen into the mindset of how wonderful this will be for the environment, relieve congestion, pollution, and save the whole world.

Bull Dinky I say. If it was such a wonderful thing some enterprising business would have already built it, NO MATTER HOW MUCH GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE THEY RAN INTO.
But, This I fear is just another example of the few seeking control over the many.
I smell a SKUNK. No I didn't just fart.

Great idea ... like the other government sponsored rail system that is in permanent receivership.

You simply cannot borrow you way out of debt.

fisherman bob wrote:I say build it and they will come. I believe the money will be wisely spent. Just my opinion.

I'm sure you do. Government always spends our money wisely. No reason to believe that this should be any different than any other government program. I smell a real money maker in the works!

Slacker G wrote:

fisherman bob wrote:I say build it and they will come. I believe the money will be wisely spent. Just my opinion.

I'm sure you do. Government always spends our money wisely. No reason to believe that this should be any different than any other government program. I smell a real money maker in the works!

No sh*t man ...

Dog

Please refrain from commenting on my intellect or lack of same. Smoking wacky tobaccy has in no way caused any depletion in my ability to talk sh*t!

I just have trouble remembering little things, like where I live.

But so did Charles Babbage who invented the first computer - a mechanical jobby that is now actually been duplicated in miniature.
Not sure if he smoked weed but he was pretty wacky.

Talbot

with a high population density where the train will run would make sense but that's the problem here... this would be more profitable say between Boston and Baltimore and hitting all the stops in between..