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[quote user="YoHo1975"] <blockquote> <div></div> </blockquote> I for one think HSR is the right thing to do and I think its the right thing to do right now. I also think that expansion of medium distance and commuter trains is the right thing to do right now. So naturally, I see the application of subsidies as a good thing. Others may not read the Enviro-social-planning tea leaves the same as I do. That is their right to do so, but strictly as a tool for enacting behavioral and Urban Planning changes, Subsidies are both valid and oft used As another aside, this one political, I wonder how many people against subsidies would be all for tax breaks? Tax breaks are a form of subsidy as the government is forgoing revenue to encourage a business with the theory that such business would not be economically viable without the tax break. Is this not the same?    <div style="clear:both;"></div> [/quote] On the last page, I mentioned that people who want a subsidy in their interest will try to justify it by showing how many other people get subsidies.  In response, you said this: <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> “In this case, I don't think its about arguing that they [HSR] should get a subsidy, because everyone else is rather, its a counter to the argument that "This shouldn't exist because it requires a subsidy."      <o:p></o:p> But in several places earlier in this thread, you did argue that HSR should get a subsidy because highways get a subsidy.  You also argued that windmills should get a subsidy because oil companies get a subsidy.    <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I mentioned that one way to amplify your case that you should get a subsidy because everybody else gets one is to use a very loose definition of subsidy.  I offered an example of calling a tax break a subsidy.  And I mentioned that you could loosen the definition of tax break in a way that everybody gets one.  You can do this by saying that everybody is getting a tax break because the government is not taxing them at 100% when they have the power to tax at 100%.  So, with that clever manipulation of the meaning of subsidy, everybody gets a subsidy.   <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Now, here in your quoted post, you swerve right into that manipulation of definition for the purpose of advancing your argument that HSR should get a subsidy because everybody else is getting a subsidy.  That is what led to the discussion of land grants.  You brought them up as yet another example of ubiquitous subsidies.  And yet, as you make this case over and over, you say you are not making such a case.  So you are making my case over and over here.
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