Ugh. Am I being too cynical?
NOTE: You must read the prior post for this one to have the proper context.
"Detailing his vision for the biggest transportation investment since the Eisenhower administration, President Barack Obama said the U.S. can create jobs, ease congestion and help the environment by building a high-speed rail system between major population centers. 'Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination,' Obama said in remarks at the White House. 'This is not some fanciful, pie-in-the-sky vision of the future. ... It is happening right now, it's been happening for decades. The problem is, it's been happening elsewhere, not here.' The economic-stimulus package passed earlier this year included $8 billion over two years for high-speed rail, separate from the government's annual subsidy to the Amtrak passenger train service. Obama's budget proposal would add $5 billion over five years to a program for states to invest in high-speed rail. The White House says the money is a down payment on the system and a new direction for U.S. transportation policy. 'What we need ... is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st century, a system that reduces travel times and increases mobility, a system that reduces congestion and boosts productivity, a system that reduces destructive emissions and creates jobs,' Obama said. Obama said clogged and aging highways are costing the U.S. $80 billion a year in lost productivity and wasted fuel. The Federal Railroad Administration will begin awarding the first round of grants by late summer. The initial funds will upgrade existing infrastructure to boost speeds on routes from 70 miles an hour to more than 100 miles an hour."
To me this looks like another extension of government control. The ultimate beauty of car ownership is freedom to decide when I go where. If I'm dependent on "public transportation" then I am no longer making decisions for myself. I admit that I am dependent on the government(s) to provide the roads, but fuel (and other transportation-specific) taxes are available to pay for a lot of that.
"Detailing his vision for the biggest transportation investment since the Eisenhower administration, President Barack Obama said the U.S. can create jobs, ease congestion and help the environment by building a high-speed rail system between major population centers. 'Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination,' Obama said in remarks at the White House. 'This is not some fanciful, pie-in-the-sky vision of the future. ... It is happening right now, it's been happening for decades. The problem is, it's been happening elsewhere, not here.' The economic-stimulus package passed earlier this year included $8 billion over two years for high-speed rail, separate from the government's annual subsidy to the Amtrak passenger train service. Obama's budget proposal would add $5 billion over five years to a program for states to invest in high-speed rail. The White House says the money is a down payment on the system and a new direction for U.S. transportation policy. 'What we need ... is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st century, a system that reduces travel times and increases mobility, a system that reduces congestion and boosts productivity, a system that reduces destructive emissions and creates jobs,' Obama said. Obama said clogged and aging highways are costing the U.S. $80 billion a year in lost productivity and wasted fuel. The Federal Railroad Administration will begin awarding the first round of grants by late summer. The initial funds will upgrade existing infrastructure to boost speeds on routes from 70 miles an hour to more than 100 miles an hour."
To me this looks like another extension of government control. The ultimate beauty of car ownership is freedom to decide when I go where. If I'm dependent on "public transportation" then I am no longer making decisions for myself. I admit that I am dependent on the government(s) to provide the roads, but fuel (and other transportation-specific) taxes are available to pay for a lot of that.
posted by MichaelPolutta at 11:01 AM
1 Comments:
yeah, keeping in mind that G_d is in control is key. It's difficult to see his hand in things when it seems our government's hands are getting in the way. We can only rely on the fact that He put planets, stars, galaxies & constellations in place. He can handle a country and a rogue president.
I know that "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance," but that has to apply to individuals, families, churches, cities, counties, states & regions. If we want to see our nation change, we must first see that change in our lives... then in the lives we can immediately impact. G_d is bigger than the boogy man and the economy. I know it's not fun to think... but these times in our nation could be the beginning of a refining fire for our families, churches, cities & states.
I'm saying all this hoping that I can also deepen this conviction in my own heart & mind. It is depressing to see this once-great country dive into socialism so willingly. But the Creator has worked in even more dire circumstances.
We'll be okay so long as we remain faithful. Even if it means our doom as a nation, G_d is faithful.
Think about it, He is able to destroy entire galaxies at a whim... What is man that he is even mindful of him? (Colliding Galaxies)
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