Drake Votes to Subsidize High Speed Rail
June 14, 2008 by Cato
Filed under National Politics, Transportation, Virginia, Virginia Politics
Rep. Thelma Drake voted this week to “improve high-speed rail today.” Translation – Drake voted for a fat subsidy to AMTRAK.
How many times has the government attempted to “reform” AMTRAK? Neither Drake, nor those applauding her actions, seem to get it. If AMTRAK could really make it on its own, the for profit roads would be in the passenger business. In this context, “investment” is just more Clintonese for “tax dollars down the federal rat hole”.
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im as big an amtrak critic you can find…but on this you’re actually, you’re way off…the bill’s provisions for High Speed Rail had nothing to do with amtrak. the high speed rail part of the bill allows private companies to compete for the first time and bid with the DoT for the ability to develop a high speed rail system. Not a subsidy, but allowing private industry to finally move forward on this important issue…something Amtrak has always tried to block before.