Amtrak supporter Elijah Cummings -- From Mike
Didn't he represent Baltimore which is a major stop on the NEC? Just like Biden being from Wilmington, Delaware.......another stop on the NEC. Why is it a big surprise he supported Amtrak? Amtrak employees would be constituents in each location, no doubt.
I am actually happy Baltimore will see a change in their Congressional Representative finally. I am not a big fan of Congressional seats for life. Nobody should be. Most of the time it leads to the occupant becomming complacent and uncompetitive.
No way anyone that holds that seat will be anything but a big Amtrak supporter--just like all the the other Reps who represent a major city on the NEC. Doesn't matter who or what the party.
CMStPnP brought up a very good point, although not train related.
The last time I watched a "State Of The Union" address and the cameras panned over the assembly I wasn't sure if I was looking at the Congress or a nursing home.
"Complacent and uncompetative?" More like they get the attitude they've been "Appointed, anointed, and their (ahem) doesn't stink." ANY of them.
Flintlock76 The last time I watched a "State Of The Union" address and the cameras panned over the assembly I wasn't sure if I was looking at the Congress or a nursing home.
Right on!
Flintlock76CMStPnP brought up a very good point, although not train related. The last time I watched a "State Of The Union" address and the cameras panned over the assembly I wasn't sure if I was looking at the Congress or a nursing home. "Complacent and uncompetative?" More like they get the attitude they've been "Appointed, anointed, and their (ahem) doesn't stink." ANY of them.
It is common knowledge that all Representatives and Senators, except those I helped elect, are morons and idiots.
Would now be the right time for elections to be changed so that you vote for all the Representatives and Senators that DO NOT represent your area? That way you can vote the morons and idiots out of office.
[/sarcasm]
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Well that's a good point Balt, and it's been made before by others in different venues, i.e. "Well, MY congressman/senator is OK, but all the others are worthless!"
Well, I don't buy into that myself. ALL should be turned over at a regular basis.
"Don't plan on being there until they carry you out on a stretcher! YOU sir, (or madam) are eventually going to come back out here and live with the legislation you did (or didn't) pass just like the rest of us mere mortals! See how you like it!"
You see, there's something compelling and attractive about that area "Inside the Beltway" that most seem to fall victim to. Whether it's the power, the recognition, the idea that they belong to an exclusive club, or whatever, it seems that most who get into that club NEVER want to leave. Even the Washington press corps seem to fall victim to it and ignore the fact there's a whole lot of country out there beyond the DC enclave. (Ever watch those "Talking Head" shows and see how "clubby" some the pressies are with the politicians?) See where I'm going here? I'm sure you do.
I don't know what the answer is, other than a voting public that knows enough to look beyond the headlines and diligently keeps themselves informed.
By the way, want to see a long-term congressman or senator have a panic attack? Two words, "Primary challenge!
Personal note here. Last election our two-term congressman was voted out and a challenger from another party voted in. I didn't vote for the challenger, but I didn't throw a fit over it. OK, people want someone else. Fine with me. That's how it's supposed to be.
Flintlock76Well that's a good point Balt, and it's been made before by others in different venues, i.e. "Well, MY congressman/senator is OK, but all the others are worthless!"
That's my usual line...
Of course, there's the line from "Charlie Wilson's War," (based on a true story), "You're main accomplishment is four terms in office has been getting re-elected three times." Maybe it was three terms and twice - regardless..
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Charlie Wilson went on to have 12 terms, didn't he?
Overmod Charlie Wilson went on to have 12 terms, didn't he?
Dunno - never checked.
One of the problems with term limits is that there are no term limits for the lobbyists, who would wind up being much more experienced than the legislators. do you really want that??
Fortunately, it would take a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on the House of Representatives and the Senate.
CSSHEGEWISCH One of the problems with term limits is that there are no term limits for the lobbyists, who would wind up being much more experienced than the legislators. do you really want that?? Fortunately, it would take a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on the House of Representatives and the Senate.
They can always say "No" to the lobbyists. Some do, some don't, some will, some won't.
Lobbyists aren't magical all-powerful creatures, they're people who persuade by various means. I won't go into those means as we're getting a bit beyond the scope of the original post. Suffice to say if a congressman or a senator goes out, another one comes in, and the lobbyists have to start all over again.
And it goes without saying the lobbyists aren't on the House or Senate floor voting.
Don't forget, the president is term-limited. It hasn't hurt the office at all.
Old saying, "The graveyards are full of 'indispensable' men."
JPS1 Flintlock76 The last time I watched a "State Of The Union" address and the cameras panned over the assembly I wasn't sure if I was looking at the Congress or a nursing home. Right on!
Backshop JPS1 Flintlock76 The last time I watched a "State Of The Union" address and the cameras panned over the assembly I wasn't sure if I was looking at the Congress or a nursing home. Right on! Yep. Currently, 33 Senators and 77 Representitives are at least 70 years old.
Yep. Currently, 33 Senators and 77 Representitives are at least 70 years old.
Except for being in Congress - I resemble that.
Excerpt from Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-elijah-cummings/mourners-remember-the-late-u-s-representative-elijah-cummings-kindness-idUSKBN1X32CP
Jawauna Greene, a former Cummings staffer, took the train from New York on Wednesday night to pay her respects.
She said she first met Cummings 24 years ago when he was working in a small law firm. She was pregnant, her Marine Corps husband was deployed and she needed to supplement the family's income.
Cummings hired her on the spot, said Greene, who later worked as a scheduler in his congressional office.
"He was always helping neighbors, paying people's bills out of his own pocket when he barely had money," she said.
BackshopYep. Currently, 33 Senators and 77 Representitives are at least 70 years old. Ad
As one who is over 80, I resemble that and while age can add wisdom, it also can slow one down. Mr. Cummings was not slowing down in my opinion. And he was doing a good job on the committee he chaired. And I thought the original post's excerpt of his Mr. Gunn's interrogation was very well done. THe administration is still trying to destroy Amtak as Mr Gunn testified. think if we loose it, we will wish we had not. And we won't be able to we won't be able to build a new national passenger railroad system. This I think is bad for the country.
BackshopYep. Currently, 33 Senators and 77 Representitives are at least 70 years old.
Remember - Cummings was not yet 70!
Electroliner 1935THe administration is still trying to destroy Amtak as Mr Gunn testified.
That's been the case since Day One. Amtrak was supposed to fail, but has somehow managed to hang on...
tree68 Electroliner 1935 THe administration is still trying to destroy Amtak as Mr Gunn testified. That's been the case since Day One. Amtrak was supposed to fail, but has somehow managed to hang on...
Electroliner 1935 THe administration is still trying to destroy Amtak as Mr Gunn testified.
Well that's the crazy thing, isn't it? Congress hasn't the guts to kill it, if that's what they really want, nor do they have the guts to fund it into the powerhouse it could be, especially in this day and age when air travel is becoming less and less popular and a viable alternative could be very attractive to travelers.
What are the stats for you saying air travel is less and less popular? There's been more and more griping from air customers since the incresed security and most charging for all luggage (and some even for carry-ons). But that doesn't mean air travelers would ride Amtrak LD trains even if more were available.
alphasWhat are the stats for you saying air travel is less and less popular? There's been more and more griping from air customers since the incresed security and most charging for all luggage (and some even for carry-ons). But that doesn't mean air travelers would ride Amtrak LD trains even if more were available. Add Quote to your Post
Further Amtrak really blows it with the intermodal Airport stations which are not even at the airport terminal in almost every case. If Amtrak was ever serious about being an alternative to the plane on it's corridors it would pay to move the station onto airport property and serve the terminal just like the airlines do.
I would be real curious if Amtrak developed an Airport terminal to Airport Terminal corridor, with 90-95% reliability if Airlines would respect it as an alternative in bad weather or potentially pay to have it as a subcontractor similar to a regional jet.
It definitely would cost some serious money but I don't see why Amtrak can't serve Chicago Union Station and O'Hare (at the main terminal). For that matter the Milwaukee Airport station could have been built right at the terminal of Milwaukee Mitchell field just by spending more money. They manage to build spurs that leave and rejoin the mainline for frieght customers like power plants but apparently too much of an expense for passengers.
alphas What are the stats for you saying air travel is less and less popular? There's been more and more griping from air customers since the incresed security and most charging for all luggage (and some even for carry-ons). But that doesn't mean air travelers would ride Amtrak LD trains even if more were available.
You've entered the fact-free zone.
https://www.bts.dot.gov/newsroom/2018-traffic-data-us-airlines-and-foreign-airlines-us-flightshttps://www.bts.dot.gov/newsroom/2018-traffic-data-us-airlines-and-foreign-airlines-us-flights
All-time high in 2018, surpassing previous high in 2017, up 4.8%.
I'm more than willing to admit I'm wrong, honestly I based my opinion on airline gloom-and-doom headlines, but I just checked that link Charlie supplied and I see plenty of stats, but no "butts-in-seats" stats. Are they up, or down? And where do we find the numbers?
charlie hebdo alphas What are the stats for you saying air travel is less and less popular? There's been more and more griping from air customers since the increased security and [since] most [airlines started] charging for all luggage (and some even for carry-ons) All-time high in 2018, surpassing previous high in 2017, up 4.8%.
alphas What are the stats for you saying air travel is less and less popular? There's been more and more griping from air customers since the increased security and [since] most [airlines started] charging for all luggage (and some even for carry-ons)
What are the stats for you saying air travel is less and less popular? There's been more and more griping from air customers since the increased security and [since] most [airlines started] charging for all luggage (and some even for carry-ons)
With respect, I think alphas was talking about 'popular' in the sense of satisfaction, not in the sense of patronage. I doubt you'll find many people who think air travel is more enjoyable now; it's going to be interesting to see what the effect of Delta's service changes starting November 5th will be ... not in terms of number of 'butts in seats' but in terms of quality and service reviews or lower numbers of complaints.
From Mike:
https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2019/10/10/baltimores-living-room-developers-present-concept.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWUGQlzvOt8&t=2h3m41s
Overmod charlie hebdo alphas What are the stats for you saying air travel is less and less popular? There's been more and more griping from air customers since the increased security and [since] most [airlines started] charging for all luggage (and some even for carry-ons) All-time high in 2018, surpassing previous high in 2017, up 4.8%. With respect, I think alphas was talking about 'popular' in the sense of satisfaction, not in the sense of patronage. I doubt you'll find many people who think air travel is more enjoyable now; it's going to be interesting to see what the effect of Delta's service changes starting November 5th will be ... not in terms of number of 'butts in seats' but in terms of quality and service reviews or lower numbers of complaints.
Maybe he was, but satisfaction surveys are less reliable and/or valid than number of passengers using, which is the same as 'butts in seats' AFAIK.
OvermodWith respect, I think alphas was talking about 'popular' in the sense of satisfaction,...
Indeed - I flew one airline on a trip to AZ last year that seemed to go out of it's way to be inconvenient, even to the point of not allowing me to upgrade my "economy" seat. It wasn't even a case of no upgrades available - it simply wasn't an option. I won't fly them again.
According to JD Power, customer satisfaction with airline travel is at an all-time high, topping last year's record by eleven points on its 1000 point scale.
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2019-north-america-airline-satisfaction-study
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.