John mica for the head of the usdot.

[samfp1943]

Dakguy201

I agree that folks who criticize Amtrak should be listened to in order to evaluate their positions.  In many cases they have valid, and valuable, points.

That said, I fail to understand how finding a job for a 12 term ex-Congressman whose record in that office was somewhat pedestrian (I'm being polite) conforms to the theme of "draining the swamp".

 

        I really agree with both of Dakguy201's points.  Absolutely, we need to listen to critixisms of AMTRAK's service ( or the lack there of).      Many here are pinning our hopes on the abilities of Wick Moorman to get AMTRAK into a position in all areas as a viable and reliable National Passenger Carrier.

     Much of that will come from efforts at the Federal Level, both legislatively, and with positive consistant financial support.

   It is to that area I have concerns that abt to be former Congressman John Mica,is NOT someone we need in an authorative position in Washington. He need to take his 20 years as a legislator and go to Florida, retire and drink mohitos on a beach.

Here linked is a recent article published about his career as a derail on AMTRAK's main line.  @ http://www.trainsandtravel.com/amtrak-nemesis-mica-is-in-trouble/

"Amtrak Nemesis Mica Is In Trouble." by Jim Loomis

  The lead in paragraph pretty well lays 'it' out. FTA:"...Congressman John Mica (R-Florida) has made a political career out of bashing Amtrak, “America’s soviet-style railroad”. (Mica has been using that line for 20 years. He delivers it, then pauses and smirks, waiting for the audience reaction, which is usually a few polite titters.)..."

 Certainly, does not seem to be a good start for someone who could be steering the future of our National Rail Passenger Company.  It does seem that in his 'fight' against AMTRAK, freight rail comanies could suffer as collateral damage. Just

Here is a previous FORUM link from 'PASSENGER' site here @ http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/743/p/259528/2914245.aspx

  Re: [Ex] Florida Congressman John Mica

[wanswheel]

Is Martin Whitmer, the transition team leader for transportation and infrastructure, possiby cabinet material?

http://www.whitmerworrall.com/martin-t-whitmer.html

 

[BaltACD]

Dakguy201

I agree that folks who criticize Amtrak should be listened to in order to evaluate their positions.  In many cases they have valid, and valuable, points.

That said, I fail to understand how finding a job for a 12 term ex-Congressman whose record in that office was somewhat pedestrian (I'm being polite) conforms to the theme of "draining the swamp".

Swamp is filling rapidly with the unemployed.

[Dakguy201]

I agree that folks who criticize Amtrak should be listened to in order to evaluate their positions.  In many cases they have valid, and valuable, points.

That said, I fail to understand how finding a job for a 12 term ex-Congressman whose record in that office was somewhat pedestrian (I'm being polite) conforms to the theme of "draining the swamp".

[CMStPnP]

I can't get too excited about this because typically Secretary's carry out policy of the Executive instead of making it up themselves.   Secondly, he had a point to a lot of his complaints even though he did not illustrate them well.    I don't think folks that criticize Amtrak should be demonized, I think they should be listened to.

[ROBERT WILLISON]

Now here a friend of Amtrak. We can thank him for Amtrak diner or dinerless tlong distance trains.