Trains.com

Suppose McCain is elected... Locked

2065 views
13 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Friday, August 22, 2008 3:29 PM
Sorry, fellas.  This thread is just too political in nature and too speculative...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Friday, August 22, 2008 1:40 PM
 canoncityxp wrote:
 CSSHEGEWISCH wrote:

 canoncityxp wrote:
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.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, August 22, 2008 12:16 PM
 canoncityxp wrote:
 CSSHEGEWISCH wrote:

 canoncityxp wrote:
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.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 22, 2008 12:04 PM

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.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 8,156 posts
Posted by henry6 on Friday, August 22, 2008 11:51 AM

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?  

RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Friday, August 22, 2008 11:22 AM

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.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Leavenworth
  • 66 posts
Posted by canoncityxp on Friday, August 22, 2008 11:12 AM
 CSSHEGEWISCH wrote:

 canoncityxp wrote:
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

Embrace those you love today. Tomorrow may be too late.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 22, 2008 10:21 AM

 ndbprr wrote:
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. 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, August 22, 2008 10:15 AM

 canoncityxp wrote:
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?

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Leavenworth
  • 66 posts
Posted by canoncityxp on Friday, August 22, 2008 8:55 AM
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.
Embrace those you love today. Tomorrow may be too late.
  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 880 posts
Posted by Last Chance on Friday, August 22, 2008 8:51 AM

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.

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Friday, August 22, 2008 8:43 AM
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.
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, August 22, 2008 6:52 AM
 lattasnip9 wrote:

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.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Edina, Minnesota
  • 109 posts
Suppose McCain is elected...
Posted by lattasnip9 on Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:49 PM

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

 

Robbie

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy