I'd rather see private companies do the job but if the government felt there was a security advantage and an economic advantage for the country to quickly get the railroads across the country maybe they had a point.
That is the big question and the issue here along with politicians and other government employees getting profitable insider knowledge in return for funding private enterprise with public moneys and sculpting policy to favor the connected (and generous). Not who makes a better case for deserving the spoils of government largess.
Hard to say. It's natural that those that were already in the business would know the best way to do it and would've positioned themselves to do this great undertaking. It's also natural that there would've been people who fought to get this great undertaking on their land. After all, states still vie for these kinds of projects, it brings in revenue. Some states make a better case than others and win. Thoses that know the business are more likely to position themselves to win.
Like today we have stories of $800 monkey wrenches and $1500 toilet seats. And Hillary's cattle futures, senators like Toraccelli, DNC chairmen like Terry McCallauff(sp?) making millions on Global Crossing.
My uncle was a small town pol here in NJ. He told me it was very difficult to stay honest but possible. He said it was impossible at county level and forget state. Federal is even worse. That is why this talented man stayed local - he was honest to a fault. Just because it's the way of the world doesn't mean I have to like it or accept it.
> but if the government felt there was a security advantage and an economic advantage for the country
Sorry to say those are always the reasons trotted out for this stuff. That's why it is important to study the history of this crap closely. When enough people realize how many scams are conducted in the name of the people's benefit or national defense and their taxes get high enough maybe, just maybe the brakes might be applied.