Travelling through the countries of foreign countries is quite different from travelling in the U.S.  The U.S. has fallen behind in the world of travel.  We have a lot of airlines that fly in and out of the country every day; but, if you want to ride a train, we are still living in the dark ages.  Why has this happened?  A number of reasons are airline competition, citizen opposition, and investor skepticism.  Riding a bullet train is very fascinating, especially if you are standing on the platform waiting for the bullet train and another whizzes by and the force of the wind as it is passing makes you think about the speed this train is travelling.   The trains that I have ridden and tried to sleep on in the U.S. were a constant vibration, clickety-clack, and constant lurches when slowing down for each town.  Where is the progress of America that I grew up in?  Have our politicians caused us to lose our “MOJO” by being paid off by the airline lobbyists?  We must force these politicians to bring America into the 21st century.

We must give these airlines some competition because they are treating us like cattle at the airports.  I am disgusted with the security that we have to entail, the cramped middle seats or any seat unless you are in first or business class, the long lines, the pushing and shoving when entering the airlines, the food they  serve which is nothing but junk food, and no more waiting for a plane to be repaired (while being bumped and are rerouted causing extra hours or days at the airport).

What ever happened to the bullet train fast track in Texas – Texas TGV, the company that beat out a German-backed rival for the Texas franchise in 1991?  The biggest mistake which was made is leaving it in the hands of politicians and lobbyists.  The fate of the bullet train may not have the urgency or  issues like education and crime (but it seems that even education and crime have failed the people of Texas).  Why is it proper for the government to impose social preferences on private activity like abortions and hiring practices and not transportation?  It  is time for our state of Texas to start updating our transportation system in the train area so that all folks have more options rather than wasting time at the airport.  The government would argue that high-speed rail costs are enormous and would need the help of the government to stay afloat.  Well, so what, isn’t that what is happening in every government program in the U.S.?  With the cost of fuel rising, it is a necessity and not a luxury any longer.  The case for the bullet train in Texas is social not economic to move people around more efficiently.  The bullet train uses less energy, creates less pollution, and makes passengers more comfortable than airplanes.  All of the criticism from the lobbyists and politicians of the train has been that it “will fail” and leave Texas “holding the bag.”   According to the facts, this is a false premise.  The biggest concern should not be that “it will fail”  but that ” it will succeed.”  Just think how many jobs would be available.  We don’t have to wait for Washington to make bullet trains available in Texas.  Remember the old tale, “if you build it, they will come.

kommonsentsjane