I can guarantee that there are no people starving in their houses just screaming, “If only we had a passenger rail system, I could go to the store for food!”
Actually, there are many low-income Urban Americans who are dependent on public transit not only for shopping, but also for commuting back and forth to work. Public transit is also a vital service for elderly and/or handicapped Americans who may not be physically able to safely operate their own private vehicles anymore.
Although there are a vast many issues where I disagree with liberal politics, I assure you that I am equally proud to dissociate myself from the libertarian bigots and "white flight" Private Country Club RINOs who would deprive these less advantaged Americans of the means they use for transportation to and from shopping and work.
“Actually, there are many low-income Urban Americans who are dependent on public transit not only for shopping, but also for commuting back and forth to work.”
So, they “depend upon” public transportation - as in, there is already a service available to them! More importantly, you did not defend your assertion that passenger rail service in and of itself promotes commerce. Many of those same low-income, urban Americans can walk two blocks (or less) to get their food, to their jobs, etc...
So, are those currently (highly) subsidized services not good enough? Or are you just spewing more drivel into the conversation?