U.S. plans to inject $53 billion into passenger rail

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Reuters:

(Reuters) - Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced an ambitious $53 billion U.S. program to build new high-speed rail networks and make existing ones faster over the next six years.

But the plan drew immediate fire from majority Republicans in the House of Representatives, who said building high-speed rail requires private investment rather than a government plan.

Biden, who estimated he has ridden Amtrak trains between Washington and his home in Wilmington, Delaware, some 7,900 times, made a strong pitch for rail transportation to enable the United States to compete and lead internationally.

"This is about seizing the future," he said, making the announcement at Philadelphia's busy 30th Street station with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The United States should follow the example of Japan and China and build high-speed rail, Biden said. "If we do not, you tell me how America is going to be able to lead the world in the 21st century," he said.

President Barack Obama's budget for fiscal year 2012, to be unveiled next week, includes $8 billion for the plan. The rest of the money would be allocated over the six-year time period.
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Joe Biden, the administration's pitchman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF_yLodI1CQ

[clearvision]

Putting Biden as the face on the train (yes I know he rode Amtrak to work) seems the sure kiss of death.

[Rokke]

Putting Biden as the face on the train (yes I know he rode Amtrak to work) seems the sure kiss of death.

Putting the government in charge of anything is a sure kiss of death. FedEx makes billions in profits doing same thing the post office loses billions doing.