The Amtrak legislation represented in SB294 passed in the Senate. Now we need to contact our House peeps because the discussion will center there – and a Bill needs to arise from The House. Everyone in this Country seems to know that improving our rail system – both for freight and passenger purposes – is the way to go. Parade Magazine is sponsoring a poll. I just voted. It asks whether or not Congress should be spending more money on our rail systems. Of course no one wants to spend money frivolously, but in a consistent fashion, regular people like you and me are voting to improve the rails. This current poll had over 6,000 respondents when I was in there this morning. 96% of the voters said YES put more money into our rails! In fact, I would encourage all of you to vote in the poll on improving train service here.
You can read the entire article written by Peter Richmond in Paradeon the same page as the poll above. But I want to put one quote here. It talks about our next step in the Senate, and that is also led by Sens. Lott and Lautenberg:
“….The Lautenberg-Lott Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, designed to completely overhaul the system, may reach the Senate floor this session. The legislation would commit $10 billion over four years to develop high-speed, short-haul rail corridors modeled on the European city-to-city routes. They could run between Washington, D.C., and Charlotte, N.C.; Portland and Seattle; Chicago and Detroit; Miami and Jacksonville, Fla.
“We’re sick and tired, and we’re not going to take it anymore,” says Frank Lautenberg, who co-sponsored the Senate bill. “We spend money on all other means of transportation, but we already have the best thing right in our hand….”
Okay I admit I do not read Parade magazine unless I am stuck in a dentist office or some place similar. So I thank Andrew Bremer, the Ex. Director of All Aboard Ohio for providing the ‘go to’ info above. I stopped getting the print version of the PD which means I don’t get Parade anymore. But here is the thing: readership of Parade is high. Would you not agree with me that it is representative of a boatload of reading interests in The United States? So the poll above, while not scientific, is truly just one more example of the average U.S. citizen like you and me being light years ahead of what should happen on this issue compared to our legislators on every level.
One more good blog link (also courtesy of Andrew) which I am going to have to add to my 3C Recommended Reading list. This is James Kunstler, a terrific author who talks about train travel here. And btw, apparently Steve LaTourette is one of the people we should all be lobbying regarding the House bill above. Peace Out – 3C
0 responses so far ↓
1 Leanne Paynter // Nov 8, 2007 at 11:56 am
Carole, I just voted and noticed that now it says 97% of voters said YES!!!
Having done some traveling in my lifetime, I’m amazed how some cities make it so easy to get around via different modes of public transportation and others seem clueless. San Francisco is the best when it comes to getting around without a car. Loved it.
2 Carole Cohen // Nov 9, 2007 at 12:01 am
97 per pretty darn good no? I hope some day we can all rival S Fransisco. And New York!
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