Posted on 05/11/2011 12:52:25 PM PDT by SmithL
California's chronic inability to govern itself has made it an international laughingstock with a blistering article in the Economist, a highbrow British magazine, only the latest manifestation of that unfortunate status.
The state now has another opportunity to either cement its image as a civic buffoon or begin acting like an adult. It is the disaster-in-waiting known as the high-speed rail project.
On a whim, politicians and voters decided a few years ago that a bullet train connecting the northern and southern halves of the state would be a jim-dandy thing to have, even though nobody knew how much it would cost, whether it would generate enough riders to justify whatever the cost might be, or whether the money could be obtained.
The state High-Speed Rail Authority, made up of politicians and political appointees with side agendas, has supposedly been working on the details. But we still don't know how much it would cost, what the ridership would likely be or what would be the sources of construction money.
Even so, the rail authority authorized construction of a $5 billion initial line from nowhere to nowhere in the San Joaquin Valley because the federal government gave it some money and dictated that it be spent there.
Why? Probably to boost the 2010 re-election chances of a Fresno congressman, Democrat Jim Costa, who faced a tough challenge.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
When considering high speed rail, has anyone looked at the number of accidents with regular trains and what would happen if an accident occured at speeds of 100mph? How may people would say could survive a wreck like that.
a classic ‘ high-speed ‘ rail job
when will voters learn?
I voted against this bottomless crap-hole of an idea, but did they listen to me? NooOOoooOOOo. At least with aircraft, the Satan worshiping goat humpers only have a good shot at it during take off and landing.
the tax money leaves your ownership at high-speed, the rest is Willie Green BS.
That’s today’s liberals: winning the future with 19th century technology.
Make that a high LEFT eyebrow British Magazine
When you can fly on Southwest for sixty nine bucks from Oakland to L.A.......WHY??
It would have to be BART writ large: completely grade-separated, new stations, etc. And who is the ridership for this without massive subsidies? If it is in the Central Valley, what would it connect - Sacramento to Fresno?
Man...that sucks.....seems we have to bus the miscreants to Bakersfield before having the luxury of riding them out of town on a rail......tar and feathers optional.
Because the illegals do not have to show id to ride a train.
The liberal news stations ( That would be all of them) in Florida are moaning about how Gov. Scott gave the 2.5 Billion back that will now go to other states. As Gov. Scott points out, we already lose 35 million + per year on the Light rail system in Dade, Broward and Palm beach counties, probably the highest population density in the state. Enjoy your Avocado’s CA
Those who govern in CA are truly idiots. The problem is not in need for HS rail but the need for more available mass trasportation. If the Redline was still running to all of its original points in the LA basin, the railcars would be continuously overflowing with riders and probably profitable. But nooooo, the want to travel fast and underground. I can only imagine what LA might look like today if they allowed Walt Disney to build the monorail system he offered them for free.
Even if the Big One is not a worry to you the tracks are still going to cross fault lines that move some number of inches per year that has to be a concern to a train traveling over 100 miles per hour.
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