It’s too bad that California didn’t accept the French offer to build HSR on their own dime but the Democrats who lobbied to make sure that HSR crosses their land opposed the idea as they each stand to make millions from the deal.
If government would simply stand aside private firms would build this thing, just as they wanted to do in Texas until Southwest Airlines lobbied to kill it.
That said, there are two arguments against HSR that make whoever use them look retarded and ignorant:
1. “Boondoggle”. Really? Is this the best you got? Then please STFU because you sound like my stodgy old grandfather who thought that everything he didn’t understand was a ‘boondoggle’. Seriously, LIBERALS phrase their arguments with pathetic names when they can’t come up with anything else, be better than that.
2. “The train to nowhere”. Unless you can come up with a way to build the entire system ALL AT ONCE then again, please STFU because you sound like an ignoramus and you make conservatives sound stupid by their association with you.
Unless conservatives can come up with cogent arguments against HSR then just let it go. Argue about the cost, argue that it should be privately built, argue that we can’t afford it, but at least make an intelligent argument, not just run around saying “BOONDOGGLE!!!” like a stupid wind-up-toy.
[/rant]
My goodness. How about, 1)We are broke and can't afford it. 2) We don't need it. 3)The people of California don't want it. 4) contrary to your wishful thinking there are no "private firms" ready to cough up 70 or 100 billion to build a train no one cares to ride. If there is I'd sure like to hear about it--so I could short their stock.