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Amtrak is a government sponsored, commercial enterprise.  Its commercial competitors include intercity bus companies and commercial airlines.  It also offers an alternative transportation option to motorists, although few of them appear to take advantage of it. National parks, wilderness areas, national monuments, libraries, etc. are a different category.  They are not commercial entities, and they are not expected to cover their costs directly from the users. Every poll that I have read showing Americans want passenger trains is flawed. They only include the results from people who could be contacted and responded to the pollster's questions.  They do not include the results of people who could not be contacted or people who refused to answer the questions.  How many of those who say they are in favor of passenger trains understand how they are financed?  If they did, would their responses be the same or would they change?  If they understand the impact of continuing deficits on the national debt, would they still favor running deficits to support intercity passenger rail? As of today the national debt of the United States, including inter-government debt, is $17.6 trillion. Throw in state and local debt and the debt burden jumps to $20.1 trillion.  It is approximately 120 per cent of GDP, which is one measure of the seriousness of the debt burden.  How did we get here? Not because of Amtrak's deficits, although it is a factor. In part it is because every interest group in the U.S., i.e. public television, public radio, the arts, subsidized crop insurance, Tricare, etc. believes the federal government should support an activity that they are not willing to cover. Clearly, there are activities that the government must perform irrespective of the cost.  But how many and how widely is a legitimate debate. Amtrak is part of the problem.  It needs to be part of the solution.  Eliminating the long distance trains would be a meaningful albeit small contribution to the solution.   I don't believe the government should be in the passenger rail business, anymore than I believe it should be operating an intercity bus line, airline, or cruise line.  These activities are best performed by private enterprise.
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