High-Speed Rail: Gift Horse or White Elephant?
Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) "slaughter[ed]" the "gift horse" of a federal grant for a Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail project, Time magazine's Michael Grunwald complained a few days ago.
Grunwald isn't alone among liberal journalists who believe high-speed rail to be a no-brainer, a sure-fire "investment" in economic growth.
But is it really, especially when that money could be plugged into other infrastructure investments that make more long-term sense economically?
For his part, Gov. Scott has suggested he'd welcome federal money for port upgrades in Miami and Jacksonville, something the feds are unwilling to do.
But a story posted Thursday at the website for the Miami Herald could highlight the wisdom of plunking money into port upgrades as opposed to high-speed rail:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓Shrugging off the recession doldrums, international trade through South Florida ports last year surged by nearly 21 percent, smashing all records.
The Miami Customs District, which includes airports and seaports from Palm Beach County to Key West, set records for total trade ($95.4 billion), exports ($58.8 billion) and imports ($36.6 billion) in 2010, according to an analysis of U.S. Census data released this week by WorldCity, a Coral Gables media company.
[...]
As the economic crisis gripped world markets in 2009, trade with nearly all South’s Florida major trading partners fell off and overall trade slipped below $80 billion — a drop of 12.3 percent compared to 2008 when previous trade records were set.
But Latin American markets, which have traditionally been South Florida’s top trading partners, rebounded more quickly last year than had been anticipated.
Of course, a conservative argument can be made that federal money should neither go to high-speed rail nor port upgrades in Florida. But certainly it would seem Gov. Scott has in view a higher return on investment, as it were, with money put towards improving Florida's seaports rather than gambling on high-speed rail netting an increase in tourism sufficiently enough to justify the long-term costs.
At any rate, I would be pleasantly surprised if the national media gives both sides of the high-speed rail argument, rather than portray Scott as a fool for spurning the federal government.
- Ken Shepherd's blog
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Comments
Refreshing that an elected
Submitted by Captain Repus on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 2:27pm.
Refreshing that an elected official would opt for real infrastruction/commerce improvement over a federal re-elect Obammy/Plugs porkbarrel bribe.
Unfortunately a majority of the voting population are mindless children who still believe in Santa Clause and Dear Leader.
→ Light Rail Suppository
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 2:31pm.
It's an attempt by the Administration to entice still more Floridians over to the side of government dependency.
Hang tough, Florida. This thing has got more strings than . . . well, . . . a box of party poppers.
What did you think I was going to say?
100,000 cops
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 2:37pm.
This so-called project reminds me of the 100,000 cops that BillyJ Clinton was going to do for us which never got off the ground. Well, they tried to get it off the ground but ended up being a bust.
What happened was that police precints were going to be given so much money to hire more police officers but after so much time, they would have to foot the bill (or get the money) some other way. A lot of those cops ended up losing their jobs after the money ran out.
This rail project is pretty much the same thing. It'll be a bust in the end. But knowing history, it's already a bust before it begins.
-Jon
As a Floridian, let me say
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 2:50pm.
1) I am extremely proud of my new Governor, Rick Scott. I was a tad sceptical of him, but he did run a multi-billion dollar corporation, and obviously understands budgets.
2) I am ashamed and disgusted with Sen. Bill Nelson. **
3) I would much rather this $3.2 Billion in Infrastructure Funding be used to build the bloody fence across Texas and Arizona.
4) Again, in the disgust category, Feinstein, Boxer & Shumer immediately queueing up to get their hands on these funds is shameful!!! We are BROKE!
** I posted this earlier, an e-mail I received from the erstwhile *ahem* Senator Nelson:
A bipartisan group of the state's political and business leaders have pursued high-speed rail in Florida for decades, because it means more than $2.4 billion in economic aid, thousands of construction jobs and a modern transportation link between several of the state’s largest cities. That’s why I support it. I’m joined by state lawmakers and many members of Florida's congressional delegation, who also question the governor’s decision to kill high-speed rail. One is U.S. Rep. John Mica, the Winter Park Republican who chairs the House Transportation Committee. Also, federal transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a Republican, has expressed disappointment. If Florida doesn’t take the money, another state will. So, some of us will look for ways to save the rail project. Meantime, please don’t hesitate to pass along your thoughts. Click here for a video with more information.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
eco-toys
Submitted by MidAmerica on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 3:32pm.
High speed rail and itty bitty 'cars' are just dream elements of the lefties utopian eco-world. Private automobiles are the ultimate symbol of freedom for individuals. Freedom to Lefties equals chaos. They must have order and regimentation. Elimination of private transportation is their ultimate goal. Barring elimination of cars they will just make cars a terrible joke. Like to see that thing navigate during our recent blizzard. But on the other hand they look like they would be great for a game of Bumper Cars.
Good lawd!
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 3:53pm.
Oh man, that is not just a terrible joke, it's a insult to intelligence and idiotic!
I don't know but those designers who come up with those kinds of absurdities just do not have any basis of reality let alone know how to live in one.
-Jon
I'll just stick with a
Submitted by ThatDude on Sat, 02/19/2011 - 12:07am.
I'll just stick with a motorcycle. More fun to ride it anyway. It's like these designers don't understand what vehicles are used for. I thought the purpose of automobiles was to safely transport people and items over distance relatively quickly. The concept cars they are pushing for the future don't achieve these purposes nor do they make any real advancements in other high priority categories. Fuel efficiency is good as are any enhancements that reduce the amount of energy required to maintain or exceed current productivity levels. I'm not inclined to sacrifice productivity in order to feel better about "my carbon footprint" or whatever other moral device others seek to impose.
It's all designed to accomplish the same thing.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 4:26pm.
"Free" money for trains, solar power, wind power; idiotic EPA environmental rules; teachers making a average of $89,000 rioting because their state wants to remain solvent; and a President that everyone assumes has the best interests of this country in his heart; it's all the same crap.
Everything that liberals do is designed to bring this nation to a grinding halt! Don't ever doubt it.
Get over the notion that these morons are patriotic. They may as well (and in fact some might be) be paid agents of foreign interests wanting the destruction of this last bastion of freedom on earth.
It's up to the governors to save us, because Obama sure as hell ain't.