Suppose McCain is elected...

[lattasnip9]

and shuts down Amtrak----> what will happen to passenger rail in America?

 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

and shuts down Amtrak----> what will happen to passenger rail in America?

 

Oh I hope not!  Be that as it may, his record on Amtrak is well-known but remember that he would still have to deal with a Congress controlled by the other party on this issue.

[ndbprr]

That would be great if soembody would do that along with every other federal program.  They are all bloated and top heavy with patronage management.  Beside the miltary I defy anyone to name one government program that does agood job or doesn't cost far more than projected or budgeted.  As Ronald Reagen said, "The words that strike fear in most peoples hearts are I'm from the government and I am here to help".  There is nothing that a profit making company can not do cheaper or better than the government but the caveat is it has to be profitable so fares may go up but it would  still be better for the taxpayer.

[Last Chance]

Amtrack has been on the vine since the Carter Administration. They'll be around for a long time yet.

Whoever is in the White House is truly irrevelant.

[canoncityxp]

I'm more worried about Queen Pelosi and her gang staying in power under an empty suit puppet.  America's rail depends mostly on diesel to function while transporting coal & autos.  Pie in the sky alternate energy does nothing for railroads, their employees or us as fans.  Does anyone in these forums model oceangoing tankers, trucks hauling windmill parts or city streets  full of bicycles ?  We need for OUR government employees to protect OUR interests & lifesyles by persuing OUR natural resources.  I will not apologize for holding the concerns of my fellow freedom loving Americans over those who prefer worldwide socialism.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'm more worried about Queen Pelosi and her gang staying in power under an empty suit puppet.  America's rail depends mostly on diesel to function while transporting coal & autos.  Pie in the sky alternate energy does nothing for railroads, their employees or us as fans.  Does anyone in these forums model oceangoing tankers, trucks hauling windmill parts or city streets  full of bicycles ?  We need for OUR government employees to protect OUR interests & lifesyles by persuing OUR natural resources.  I will not apologize for holding the concerns of my fellow freedom loving Americans over those who prefer worldwide socialism.

Should we start exploratory drilling for petroleum in your back yard?  Or would you prefer mining in Yellowstone National Park?

[Anonymous]

That would be great if soembody would do that along with every other federal program.  They are all bloated and top heavy with patronage management.  Beside the miltary I defy anyone to name one government program that does agood job or doesn't cost far more than projected or budgeted.  As Ronald Reagen said, "The words that strike fear in most peoples hearts are I'm from the government and I am here to help".  There is nothing that a profit making company can not do cheaper or better than the government but the caveat is it has to be profitable so fares may go up but it would  still be better for the taxpayer.

Some government agencies are poorly managed.  But others are managed very well as per  objective assessments by the GAO, as well as operational assessments performed by independent auditors and consultants.

I have had experience with the FAA (general aviation), IRS, and Social Security Administration.  All of them performed as well as if not better than private industry.  They make mistakes, to be sure, but I don't know any person or organization that does not do likewise.

As stated by others, the President can recommend legislation.  And he can veto it.  But he does not have the power to terminate Amtrak.  However, he can appoint members of the Amtrak Board of Directors.  And through these appointments he can influence the future course for Amtrak.  He also appoints the Secretary of Transportation, who likewise can influence the course of transportation policy in the U.S., including the role for passenger trains. 

[canoncityxp]

I'm more worried about Queen Pelosi and her gang staying in power under an empty suit puppet.  America's rail depends mostly on diesel to function while transporting coal & autos.  Pie in the sky alternate energy does nothing for railroads, their employees or us as fans.  Does anyone in these forums model oceangoing tankers, trucks hauling windmill parts or city streets  full of bicycles ?  We need for OUR government employees to protect OUR interests & lifesyles by persuing OUR natural resources.  I will not apologize for holding the concerns of my fellow freedom loving Americans over those who prefer worldwide socialism.

Should we start exploratory drilling for petroleum in your back yard?  Or would you prefer mining in Yellowstone National Park?

  typical lame answer

thanks for proving my point , Mr. Pelosi

[Phoebe Vet]

Samantha:

Since I am usually a critic, I just wanted to comment on your positive post.

That said, lets start an office pool.  We can all try to guess exactly what time this thread will get locked.      ... as it should be.

[henry6]

I don't think it will shut down.  And it certainly won't go away.  A total intermodal transportation policy is so sorely needed in this country so the best I can hope for under such a president would be that. 

Elsewhere we have been discussing Amtrak in particular, passenger service in general, and I have noted that in Europe there is private ownership and operation of major airports (BAA:Heatherow, Madrid, etc.).  One of the often sought achievements of Amtrak is that it be profitable if only becaese it was born out of private enterprise.  Since it is desiered by some that Amtrak be privatized (theory [false]: it is the only way it will ever make money) then why aren't we calling for Kennedy, O'Hare, LAX, etc. be privatized so that they can make money, too?  

[Anonymous]

Another example of a well run Federal program is Medicare - the dollar % that goes toward administrative costs for the program is FAR lower than the dollar % in private health care plans, for example Blue Cross Blue Shield.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'm more worried about Queen Pelosi and her gang staying in power under an empty suit puppet.  America's rail depends mostly on diesel to function while transporting coal & autos.  Pie in the sky alternate energy does nothing for railroads, their employees or us as fans.  Does anyone in these forums model oceangoing tankers, trucks hauling windmill parts or city streets  full of bicycles ?  We need for OUR government employees to protect OUR interests & lifesyles by persuing OUR natural resources.  I will not apologize for holding the concerns of my fellow freedom loving Americans over those who prefer worldwide socialism.

Should we start exploratory drilling for petroleum in your back yard?  Or would you prefer mining in Yellowstone National Park?

  typical lame answer

thanks for proving my point , Mr. Pelosi

I think that you missed the point, you support drilling and mining as long as it's not close to you.  The comparison to the Honorable Nancy Pelosi is both flattering and appreciated.

[TomDiehl]

I'm more worried about Queen Pelosi and her gang staying in power under an empty suit puppet.  America's rail depends mostly on diesel to function while transporting coal & autos.  Pie in the sky alternate energy does nothing for railroads, their employees or us as fans.  Does anyone in these forums model oceangoing tankers, trucks hauling windmill parts or city streets  full of bicycles ?  We need for OUR government employees to protect OUR interests & lifesyles by persuing OUR natural resources.  I will not apologize for holding the concerns of my fellow freedom loving Americans over those who prefer worldwide socialism.

Should we start exploratory drilling for petroleum in your back yard?  Or would you prefer mining in Yellowstone National Park?

  typical lame answer

thanks for proving my point , Mr. Pelosi

Actually, your original post is a typical "head in the sand" view that got us in this situation in the first place. Crude oil is a finite resource. With the industrial development of India and China, there are more pigglets to suck up the oil, making it run out sooner. This "pie in the sky alternate energy" is what will replace oil. We import 70% of our oil at this point and there are not enough known reserves in the US or it's territories to cover that by drilling everyplace imaginable. Heaven forbid that "Mrs. Pelosi" et al actually has the foresight to see this and is forcing the research if others want to push through more drilling. Without that, you can kiss your "interests and lifestyle" goodbye in the near future.

I'll let you bury your head again.

[tstage]

Sorry, fellas.  This thread is just too political in nature and too speculative...

Tom