Make the deficit $1.5 trillion + $53 billion.
It would cost at least 100X as much to rebuild new tracks for trains such as this. It’s not the trains, it’s the tracks stupid.
A local talker also likes to point out, these things wear out after 20-30 years. So you set yourself up to spend this every 20 years or so. Not to mention the enormous operating costs.
It's not the trains or the tracks - it's the people. We don't want high-speed rail. And if we did, we'd voluntarily invest in it, not have the government STEAL our tax dollars to build it. If the government had any interest in allowing faster travel, they'd raise the speed limits. This has nothing to do with solving any problems, and EVERYTHING to do with controlling people.