Hardball talkshow host Chris Matthews had posed a very blunt question for President Obama, Democrats & Republicans, and America at large…
“Why can’t we build railroads — rapid railroads to unite this country instead of making the vast continent between New York and LA “fly-over country” for the bi-coastal elite to look down on? Why don’t we build “anything” anymore? Would we build the subway systems of our country today? Would we build the Empire State building or the Golden Gate Bridge? Would be build this beautiful capital of Washington today? You know the answer. We don’t build because we have neither the money nor the courage to do it.”
Obviously Matthews is sensationalizing a bit in order to make a point. After all, the infamous 2nd Ave subway is being dug as we speak. But if we’re taking the pulse of the nation—after the 2010 midterm elections—his point is right on. If a national high speed rail network is to become a reality, Obama may have to re-evaluate his strategy. New York is ready to build
. Start with us.
Tags: Chris Matthews, Hardball, high speed rail, highspeed rail, infrastructure, MSNBC, New York, NY, President Obama
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 at 6:15 pm and is filed under Opinion, Transit + Infrastructure.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
![\"RochesterSubway.com\"](\"https://rochestersubway.com/images/pixel_white.gif\"){kind=tracking}
Actually, I like to think of the 2nd Ave subway line as a model of what is wrong with the way we build. This project has been in the works since the days of Robert Moses’ NYC. No wonder people are skeptical of large public works like this when they take so long and cost so much. But I will say that I’m glad its finally happening, and the sooner the better. The 4,5,6 trains on the east side have been needing relief for decades. I used to have to take these lines during rush hour, and let me tell you it is madness.
About HSR, while ultimately I’m in agreement with you and Chris Matthews, I cant help but wonder if cities themselves are ready for HSR. Public transportation in the majority of cities is abysmal. It just makes me wonder, are people going to take HSR if they are going to have to rent a car when they get to their destination?
Taking the positive view, I am hoping that the excitement around HRS will encourage cities to improve their intra-city transportation network. We will see what ends up happening.