The US needs unquestionably needs high speed rail nationwide. Yet many states are in deep financial trouble and can’t fund it. Federal government outlays have been minor at best. Why is it the feds can shovel hundreds of billions to the banks in the form of bailouts and cheap credit yet can’t fund something concrete that would benefit the nation as a whole?
Other nations, like in Europe, Japan, and China, already have HSR. The US has an ancient rail system that badly needs upgrading. Unless more money is forthcoming, the billions already spent and allocated for HSR will have been wasted.
Antiquated rail + artificially cheap fuel = trucks and cars. That’s employment, silly! What politician in their right mind would vote against consumption?
Remember, we’re an oil-producing nation. Japan and most of Europe isn’t. If our economy wasn’t dependent on oil, we’d switch fuel sources. But it is, and we won’t, at least not anytime soon.
Well, China has lots of oil, and they’re way ahead of us on HSR and cleantech. But you’re right, we insist on doing the same thing, never changing
China’s politicians don’t have to seek re-election worrying if unemployment is up in their district. They don’t have to seek re-election at all.