what the heck is it with Dems and high speed trains?

[rudeguy]

I seriously feel like I'm stuck in a bad episode of The Simpsons. Obama keeps talking about this like its going to save the economy. Now Michigan just announced it got a couple hundred million just to help plan one out. Not actually drive any nails or build any cars...just for planning.

How is a high speed train supposed to help? Didn't they already have to bailout Amtrack?

 

[sandorski]

There are multiple advantages to High Speed Rail. Right now they have the added Bonus of creating Jobs and increasing Economic activity to build the systems. Other advantages are: Decreased need for Roads/Highways by moving large numbers of People rapidly, especially during Rush Hours; Decreasing Fuel consumption, especially Petroleum based fuels; Cutting pollution, especially in regards to GHGs, but many others as well.

 

[werepossum]

There are multiple advantages to High Speed Rail. Right now they have the added Bonus of creating Jobs and increasing Economic activity to build the systems. Other advantages are: Decreased need for Roads/Highways by moving large numbers of People rapidly, especially during Rush Hours; Decreasing Fuel consumption, especially Petroleum based fuels; Cutting pollution, especially in regards to GHGs, but many others as well.

You left out the two biggest advantages of any train.

1. Helping to eliminate the idea that the proles should be able to travel wherever they wish whenever they wish rather than where the enlightened political class thinks they should travel on the government's schedule.

2. Providing a large, centralized pool of unskilled labor union jobs to support the progressive agenda.

 

[Schadenfroh]

It might make sense in urban regions of the country (ie the Northeast) where you have several major cities relatively close together, but other than that, airplanes have left long-distance passenger travel by train behind.

Didn't they already have to bailout Amtrack?

Amtrak is a government-owned corporation that should be privatized, likely split into several smaller companies operating in various regions of the nation.

 

[Drako]

Boondoggle, plain and simple.

Just look at the California High Speed Rail project. LOL at the first segment connecting Merced and Fresno. Estimated $4.3 Billion just for this 60 mile stretch, which will probably more than double by the time the project has started.

 

[Zebo]

Americans don't do trains we got cars and real Americans drive trucks.

That said what we really need is about 75 nuke plants, a trillion dollar investment in battery/station quick fork lift standard battery swap, and go all electric. That would make a geo political, pollution, and economic difference. All built in USA of course.

 

[Patranus]

There are multiple advantages to High Speed Rail. Right now they have the added Bonus of creating Jobs and increasing Economic activity to build the systems. Other advantages are: Decreased need for Roads/Highways by moving large numbers of People rapidly, especially during Rush Hours; Decreasing Fuel consumption, especially Petroleum based fuels; Cutting pollution, especially in regards to GHGs, but many others as well.

Those are only advantages when people actually use the service.

It Amtrak has taught us anything, people would rather flight which is faster AND cheaper.

 

[ShawnD1]

It's because democrats are metrosexuals, and trains are sometimes called metros.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_(rapid_transit)


The other part is that trains are supposed to help get around the problems of suburbs. Right now (in my city) people who live in the suburbs are totally fucked because they can't take the bus to work like regular people do. They need to drive, and they need to pay something retarded like $8 per day for parking. They also deal with horrible traffic and slow transportation because so many people are on the road.

If you're talking about major cities and not just suburbs, the advantage is that taking a plane to travel 100 miles is just stupid. Your flight time is like 5 minutes but your check in and cavity search time is like 4 hours. You might as well just walk to that city.

 

[sandorski]

Those are only advantages when people actually use the service.

It Amtrak has taught us anything, people would rather flight which is faster AND cheaper.

Not if it's done right. Especially the "Faster" part.

 

[chucky2]

You left out the two biggest advantages of any train.

1. Helping to eliminate the idea that the proles should be able to travel wherever they wish whenever they wish rather than where the enlightened political class thinks they should travel on the government's schedule.

2. Providing a large, centralized pool of unskilled labor union jobs to support the progressive agenda.

/thread.

 

[Robor]

Unlike the election of Rubio and Scott, FL got the high speed rail vote correct. Why anyone would want to take a train from the Tampa area to Orlando is beyond me. It's not *that* far by car. Tampa to Miami makes more sense. That's a 5-6 hour drive and *sucks*.

 

[her209]

Those are only advantages when people actually use the service.

It Amtrak has taught us anything, people would rather flight which is faster AND cheaper.

Long distances flying is faster and cheaper. Short distances, light rail is a better option especially if there's a lot of traffic. High-speed rail would cover the medium distances where you're limited by the freeway/highway speed limit.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Trains are nice if done right.
I have absolutely no faith that it'll be done right, though.

 

[her209]

Unlike the election of Rubio and Scott, FL got the high speed rail vote correct. Why anyone would want to take a train from the Tampa area to Orlando is beyond me. It's not *that* far by car. Tampa to Miami makes more sense. That's a 5-6 hour drive and *sucks*.

Google Maps says that's 85 miles. That's about the same distance from San Diego to Anaheim.

 

[Zebo]

Trains are nice if done right.
I have absolutely no faith that it'll be done right, though.

Won't work in USA. We have an independent and liberty streak that prefers cars and especially with 4 hour pat downs and waits we wont be riding trains. flying is different because it's greater distances and 600MPH so we make concessions.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Won't work in USA. We have an independent and liberty streak that prefers cars and especially with 4 hour pat downs and waits we wont be riding trains. flying is different because it's greater distances and 600MPH so we make concessions.

Well, it also doesn't help that Americans are filthy and treat public spaces as a dumping ground.
The Europeans can have nice things and they stay nice. In America it's covered in graffiti and advertising within 15 minutes.

 

[alphatarget1]

The Europeans can have nice things and they stay nice. In America it's covered in graffiti and advertising within 15 minutes.

Have you been to Europe? You must be pulling that out of your ass.

 

[alphatarget1]

Won't work in USA. We have an independent and liberty streak that prefers cars and especially with 4 hour pat downs and waits we wont be riding trains. flying is different because it's greater distances and 600MPH so we make concessions.

Heil TSA!

 

[boomerang]

It doesn't matter if it will work or not, that thought process is irrelevant to Dem's. If it needs to be subsidized with taxpayer dollars to keep the trains running, that is of no concern either.

Remember, the left falls in love with the idea of something. The affordability, execution and practicality are irrelevant. Look at the health care program. Hundreds upon hundreds of new agencies, an unfathomable tangle of bureaucracy and the cost is in the trillions.

Checks and balances - it's important.

 

[Patranus]

Long distances flying is faster and cheaper. Short distances, light rail is a better option especially if there's a lot of traffic. High-speed rail would cover the medium distances where you're limited by the freeway/highway speed limit.

It takes me under an hour to get from San Francisco to LA at a cost of $45.

The purposed high speed rail connecting the two cities would take 3 hours and the purposed ticket prices are $100.

So not only does it cost twice the amount of flying but it takes 3x as long.

 

[alphatarget1]

It takes me under an hour to get from San Francisco to LA at a cost of $45.

The purposed high speed rail connecting the two cities would take 3 hours and the purposed ticket prices are $60.

So not only does it cost more but it takes 3x the time.

It would be nice to clear up the air space for long distance planes though...

 

[Inspector Jihad]

people are too stupid, short-sighted and politically handcuffed to get a proper train infrastructure in place. there are many parts of the US with multiple cities within close proximity that could use a good railroad system. i've been travelling quite a bit recently and i'm pretty disappointed by airline travel. its a fucking hassle finding a decent flight from cleveland to philly that doesn't cost $350+ for a roundtrip.

 

[ShawnD1]

Well, it also doesn't help that Americans are filthy and treat public spaces as a dumping ground.
The Europeans can have nice things and they stay nice. In America it's covered in graffiti and advertising within 15 minutes.

Many jerks behave the way they do because they feel disconnected from the rest of society. In a place like Germany or Switzerland, people are probably told from an early age that they are what makes the country great and that this is their fatherland and that they need to work hard to make it strong and powerful; nationalism. In 'merika, everyone reminds you how the government is evil and everyone is out to kidnap you and everyone but you should be taxed.

Maybe it's just TV that has changed, but didn't old TV shows and old movies make it sound patriotic to pay taxes and support Uncle Sam? I swear I've heard "I pay my taxes" and "serve my country" said in ghetto movies with bad sound and no color.

 

[sandorski]

It would be nice to clear up the air space for long distance planes though...

Which is another issue that has become increasingly problematic. There are too many airplanes in the air already.

 

[Slew Foot]

Trains are a big fucking waste. It cost me $40 and 3 hours to take the train from Davis to San Francisco. I can do the drive in an hour and a half with about 4 gallons of gas.


Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud...

Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud.

Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?

Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.

Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?

Lyle Lanley: You'll be given cushy jobs.

Abe: Were you sent here by the devil?

Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level.

Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.

Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man.

I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!

All: Monorail!

Lyle Lanley: What's it called?

All: Monorail!

Lyle Lanley: Once again...

All: Monorail!

Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken...

Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!