Free Republic

A $4.7 billion plan to build high-speed rail lines and expand bus service in the Denver area would add about 6,200 jobs a year and give a lift to the local economy, a new study showed. Over a 12-year development period for the project, known as FasTracks, about 2,400 construction jobs would be created annually, and 3,800 positions would be added indirectly, according to a report requested by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. As construction companies spend money on everything from concrete to computers, even more jobs would arise, creating an economic ripple that could inject $2.9 billion in...

During rush hour recently in Shanghai, China, I traveled 19 miles in 7½ minutes. I wasn't flying, exactly. I was aboard a high-speed magnetic-levitation transportation system. Now I can't help but ponder more efficient ways of moving people into, between, within and around our cities -- especially when I'm stuck in traffic. Let's face it: American transportation problems result from our love of private automobile ownership and the government policies that enable our oil addiction. Driving cars in cities is like using a pair of pliers to bang a nail into a wall -- the wrong tool for the job....