The United States needs High-Speed Rail

[QUOTE=falc39;14311821]A very interesting topic but complex. The main problem in transportation is economical in nature. We are broke. Go look at any government agency in charge of transportation and you will find that their budget is massively funding road repaving and street resurfacing compared to everything else. We are having issues just maintaining what we already built, which is something that should be considered before any new infrastructure goes in.

There once was a time when the US was railroad-dominated (anyone remember reading about the transcontinental railroad?). But politics, red-tape, the economy, and other factors of our time has far removed us from being able to produce infrastructure like that anymore.[/QUOTE]

We have become too bloated since the 80s. Healthcare used to be affordable before then, but now we are just bleeding that money. Military industrial complex has run us under with two wars in Iraq in late 80s and early 00's by the Bush vampires sucking us of several trillion.

Clinton was the last president who could have afforded a push for something like high-speed rail, but he instead decided to keep the money in surplus for PR/political reasons. Republicans also controlled Congress and didn't do anything when they had a chance. I believe Clinton/Congress also allowed glass-steagul to die, and that allowed banks to suddenly take part in dangerous speculative trading with money they didn't have (while also loaning out money to everyone including those who couldn't pay it). Bush jr blew so much on Iraq war, hundreds of billions on pumping up homeland security/military industrial complex, and of course the recession was very costly for everyone.

Through all of these administrations, including Obama & Trump, healthcare costs kept on rising because none of them had the balls to take on the insurance companies & big pharma leeches. Then Donald's trade war with China and massive tax cuts to the wealthy. Since last year, we also had covid run havoc on the economy, Healthcare and country. We will need to recover a bit before we can talk about high-speed rail. I would put off that talk for a year or 2.

[QUOTE=Cleverness;14310763]Hmm, I suppose Vegas wouldn't mind a federally-funded train that connects all major cities directly to... Vegas.

How long would it take for a train to travel to Chicago from Vegas? How long until the train is built? :lol[/QUOTE]

It could get there really fast and be built really fast too if they wanted it. It would also cost a fortune to build and never pay for itself. The only places where high speed rail makes sense is in the Northeast and California. But again no one wants to foot the startup costs because they know there are competing interests who will kill the project and money will be lost.

[QUOTE=bladefd;14311826]We have become too bloated since the 80s. Healthcare used to be affordable before then, but now we are just bleeding that money. Military industrial complex has run us under with two wars in Iraq in late 80s and early 00's by the Bush vampires sucking us of several trillion.

Clinton was the last president who could have afforded a push for something like high-speed rail, but he instead decided to keep the money in surplus for PR/political reasons. Republicans also controlled Congress and didn't do anything when they had a chance. I believe Clinton/Congress also allowed glass-steagul to die, and that allowed banks to suddenly take part in dangerous speculative trading with money they didn't have (while also loaning out money to everyone including those who couldn't pay it). Bush jr blew so much on Iraq war, hundreds of billions on pumping up homeland security/military industrial complex, and of course the recession was very costly for everyone.

Through all of these administrations, including Obama & Trump, healthcare costs kept on rising because none of them had the balls to take on the insurance companies & big pharma leeches. Then Donald's trade war with China and massive tax cuts to the wealthy. Since last year, we also had covid run havoc on the economy, Healthcare and country. We will need to recover a bit before we can talk about high-speed rail. I would put off that talk for a year or 2.[/QUOTE]


:lol

I love how he rattles off all the corruption and abuse and manipulation and dog-wagging the government has engaged in for decades...

...and then at the end lists covid as a serious thing that came out of nowhere :roll:


You my boy, blade!

[QUOTE=falc39;14311821]A very interesting topic but complex. The main problem in transportation is economical in nature. We are broke. Go look at any government agency in charge of transportation and you will find that their budget is massively funding road repaving and street resurfacing compared to everything else. We are having issues just maintaining what we already built, which is something that should be considered before any new infrastructure goes in.

[B]There once was a time when the US was railroad-dominated [/B](anyone remember reading about the transcontinental railroad?). But politics, red-tape, the economy, and other factors of our time has far removed us from being able to produce infrastructure like that anymore.[/QUOTE]

There was also a time when they dug canals between cities because the only alternative for shipping goods was sending it on the backs of animals.

Canals and rail were popular and viable because they were cutting edge and far better than the alternatives. There are too many alternatives now to high speed rail to make it worth the cost. If people are on a sight seeing road trip, or moving somewhere permanently, theyre gonna drive and bring their car. If theyre in a city for a one day business meeting , theyre gonna fly and save time.

Sure there would be some situations where people choose rail, but I dont think it would be as popular as proponents believe. As I said, we already have public transit in EVERY CITY. And yet...??? Nobody uses it, and the roads are gridlocked.

Why would people think it’d be any different with inter-city movement?? Everyone is Captain Planet when it comes to brainstorming how to use other people’s money. When it’s time to practice what they preach? They always opt for selfishness and convenience.

[QUOTE=Cleverness;14310763]Hmm, I suppose Vegas wouldn't mind a federally-funded train that connects all major cities directly to... Vegas.

How long would it take for a train to travel to Chicago from Vegas? How long until the train is built? :lol[/QUOTE]

Theme song has already been created :D

[video=youtube;bACKLW19XdE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bACKLW19XdE[/video]

[QUOTE=FultzNationRISE;14311946]There was also a time when they dug canals between cities because the only alternative for shipping goods was sending it on the backs of animals.

Canals and rail were popular and viable because they were cutting edge and far better than the alternatives. There are too many alternatives now to high speed rail to make it worth the cost. If people are on a sight seeing road trip, or moving somewhere permanently, theyre gonna drive and bring their car. If theyre in a city for a one day business meeting , theyre gonna fly and save time.

Sure there would be some situations where people choose rail, but I dont think it would be as popular as proponents believe. As I said, we already have public transit in EVERY CITY. And yet...??? Nobody uses it, and the roads are gridlocked.

Why would people think it’d be any different with inter-city movement?? Everyone is Captain Planet when it comes to brainstorming how to use other people’s money. When it’s time to practice what they preach? They always opt for selfishness and convenience.[/QUOTE]

I wasn't really making the argument that we should build high speed rail at a certain location or not. My argument was that we aren't in a good position economically to build it even if we wanted to. We aren't in a good position to build new roads either. We are broke.

[QUOTE=falc39;14312280]I wasn't really making the argument that we should build high speed rail at a certain location or not. My argument was that we aren't in a good position economically to build it even if we wanted to. We aren't in a good position to build new roads either. We are broke.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I know, I wasnt specifically arguing with you, just generally pointing out canals were in fashion once too, but technology provides so many options now that no one single option is in dramatic demand. The cost to build these would be vastly disproportionate to demand IMO.

As far as being broke, I guess the consolation is most of the money we owe is to Chinese bond holders and govt unions etc. So if anyone’s gettin stiffed at some point... it’s them :lol

(And ofc I understand there’s a ripple effect, but it’s kinda funny to think about those groups holding the bag one day)

[QUOTE=falc39;14312280]I wasn't really making the argument that we should build high speed rail at a certain location or not. My argument was that we aren't in a good position economically to build it even if we wanted to. We aren't in a good position to build new roads either. We are broke.[/QUOTE]
Warfare is more important to them than infrastructures.

You...absolute dopes.

[url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaregions_of_the_United_States[/url]

Using high-speed rail [B]within[/B] these regions to better connect them would be an absolute boon for their economies and civil society.

[QUOTE=eliteballer;14312299]You...absolute dopes.

[url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaregions_of_the_United_States[/url]

Using high-speed rail [B]within[/B] these regions to better connect them would be an absolute boon for their economies and civil society.[/QUOTE]

Their economies would first have to [b]pay[/b] for the project. Do you understand that’s a thing? Do you know how much that costs? Do you know basic economics?

It’s 2021. How much has the $100 billion train started in 2008 helped California’s economy?

Give us the dollar figure.

How much benefit has it brought to civil society over there?

You are a low IQ poster. Just keep your mouth shut.

[QUOTE=FultzNationRISE;14312301]Their economies would first have to [b]pay[/b] for the project. Do you understand that’s a thing? Do you know how much that costs? Do you know basic economics?

It’s 2021. How much has the $100 billion train started in 2008 helped California’s economy?

Give us the dollar figure.

How much benefit has it brought to civil society over there?

You are a low IQ poster. Just keep your mouth shut.[/QUOTE]


A child with 20 accounts on ISH, posting 24/7 about LeBron and videogames....acting like they can possibly understand the cost/benefit analysis of something like this.

I'd be shocked if your even old enough to have paid taxes:roll:

They are literally putting together a national infrastructure plan encompassing trillions of dollars..........we can find the funding if the republicans and special interests are kept in check.

[QUOTE=eliteballer;14312310]A child with 20 accounts on ISH, posting 24/7 about LeBron and videogames....acting like they can possibly understand the cost/benefit analysis of something like this.

I'd be shocked if your even old enough to have paid taxes:roll:

They are literally putting together a national infrastructure plan encompassing trillions of dollars]..........we can find the funding if the republicans and special interests are kept in check.[/QUOTE]


Hey, disputes aside, Ive been wanting to ask you this for a while: do you have down syndrome?

Ive always thought you kinda seemed to, but obviously I cant confirm it without asking you.

Americans don't want it. US is not a public transportation country, the infrastructure was built to benefit drivers and sellers and makers of cars. ****ing cul de sacs

[QUOTE=FultzNationRISE;14312328]Hey, disputes aside, Ive been wanting to ask you this for a while: do you have down syndrome?

Ive always thought you kinda seemed to, but obviously I cant confirm it without asking you.[/QUOTE]

OP has over 1500 posts quoting himself, let that sink in :oldlol:

[url]http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?352391-Sneaker-Prices-Out-of-Control[/url]

[QUOTE=Ass Dan;14312336]Americans don't want it. US is not a public transportation country, the infrastructure was built to benefit drivers and sellers and makers of cars. ****ing cul de sacs[/QUOTE]

We have horrendous public transportation across most of the country. Probably one of the worst public transportation of all developed countries. Even our subways and trains are pretty crap. I don't know if Americans are fine with lack of public transportation.