DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Unveiled: China's 245mph train service is the world's fastest

**M_Marked** · 12-29-2009, 03:42 AM

Yeah, I know..its a lot more complicated then most countries as the rail system is so tied into more of moving goods then moving people.

I was just refuting the OP's claims that we could have a rail system like China if we just threw money at it like the bailouts.

China also did things we'd never approve of...

it's not altogether untrue, though it may not be the most effective means of doing things. US transportation policy has long been skewed towards highway by the government while rail is expected to pay for itself entirely plus taxes to local, state, and federal governments. either get rid of the taxes or allow them to apply for federal transportation dollars. you are correct, they can do a lot of things we can't (as bush said, "it'd be alot easier if I were dictator") as can France....OTOH, Spain's network is growing because they actually built an HSR route. proponents were ridiculed just as they are here (people won't ride it) but they've proven popular. and certainly I'd be hard pressed to argue that bailing out the nation's homeowners, who already receive subsidies, banks, and blowing up countries is a better investment than HSR. I'd also posit that the money we do spend is poorly allocated, funding t new highways at the expense of maintenance of existing ones.

12-29-2009, 03:42 AM	#10
M_Marked Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 563 Senior Member	Yeah, I know..its a lot more complicated then most countries as the rail system is so tied into more of moving goods then moving people. I was just refuting the OP's claims that we could have a rail system like China if we just threw money at it like the bailouts. China also did things we'd never approve of... it's not altogether untrue, though it may not be the most effective means of doing things. US transportation policy has long been skewed towards highway by the government while rail is expected to pay for itself entirely plus taxes to local, state, and federal governments. either get rid of the taxes or allow them to apply for federal transportation dollars. you are correct, they can do a lot of things we can't (as bush said, "it'd be alot easier if I were dictator") as can France....OTOH, Spain's network is growing because they actually built an HSR route. proponents were ridiculed just as they are here (people won't ride it) but they've proven popular. and certainly I'd be hard pressed to argue that bailing out the nation's homeowners, who already receive subsidies, banks, and blowing up countries is a better investment than HSR. I'd also posit that the money we do spend is poorly allocated, funding t new highways at the expense of maintenance of existing ones.
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