includes:
$5B a year for corridor development ain’t chump change.
The “devil is in the details” but sounds like on the right track [:S] of course, not likely to pass the current House.
This would actually be worthwhile, the kind of self-investment a serious country does. Unfortunately, it’s just another of the distractions Obama is offering up these days to divert attention from his myriad domestic- and foreign-policy failures. He knows there’s no money for it, and that Republicans (properly) will not agree to increase borrowing for discretionary spending.
So even though it is a worthwhile investment, because the president proposes it, it is (properly) rejected. Brilliant.
Absolutely. Would like to see some one do an analysis of the present FY 2014 money compared to this proposal.
Pretty well put! It’s a good idea that doesn’t stand a chance.
So, what should we do to help push things like this along?
I suggest this:
-put heat on government to fix the debt by tackling entitlements and tax reform. This would “allow” Republicans to spend on “things”. There are exactly zero politicians who don’t like posing in front of things or with shovels, taking all the credit… (just look at the recent “water” bill…)
-put heat on Amtrak to continue to become more efficient. They are the point man in this game and they don’t have as good a reputation as they could have. They need to work on showing they are good stewards of the money they get.
Pretty sure that 's not what he said. What I read was that it doesn’t stand a chance because Republicans aren’t going to increase the budget deficit for this reason and he thinks this is proper (I do, too.) The implication is that in order get increases in discretionary spending, there would have to be cuts or revenue increases elsewhere. That pretty much means entitlement reform and/or tax reform.
So, if we want more and better passenger rail, we might think about getting behind those pushing to get the Fed budget on a sustainable path. Otherwise, all we get to do is the “righteous indignation” thing.
The President has come up with a solid proposal for passenger rail improvements. This is not the time for us to wring our hands about politics and the budget. This is a time for us to get behind this plan and help sell it.
Yes, Amtrak needs to help sell it. Yes, NARP needs to help sell it. But, the greatest sales force is we the people. Don’t use obsticles as an excuse. Use opportunity as a motivation.
The deficit has dropped each of the past 4 years and as a percentage of GNP is at the lowest level in years. The “debt crisis” was created by a number of forces, but not by Social Security or Medicare entitlements, which do not contribute one penny to the debt. So-called austerity programs have not worked, as can be seen with nations like the UK, whose economy is still in the tank. We should be investing in infrastructure (not the same as spending on agricultural subsidies, ethanol subsidies or defense, for example), which in private industry would be a capital expenditure, not an operating expense. Such wise appropriations boost the overall economy and provide for higher productivity through more efficiency. But for reasons political, one party refuses to do so, even though they voted for enormous unfunded and/or budget-busting measures when they controlled the WH for 20 years.
True. But, the current gap is still very high by historical standards. It was crazy high in 2008 and 2009.
Not true. https://www.fixthedebt.org/why-it-matters
and
http://crfb.org/blogs/everything-you-need-know-about-budget-gimmicks-8-charts
(Both these groups are bi-partisan, BTW)
Don’t confuse the budget deficit and national debt, either.
So, $19B a year for passenger rail? Worth fighting for? Not happening until we get the big things fixed.
Be an advocate. But, don’t be foolish, either. Push for the things that will clear the path.
I have to say it…
Imagine how many baggage cars you can buy with $19B! [:P]
Not false either. Quite complex with many assumptions, not simplistic.
http://baselinescenario.com/2012/11/28/social-security-and-the-national-debt/
In any case $19 bil. as an investment in infrastructure that improves the economy long-term through greater efficiencies (some of that $19 bil. on track helps the freight lines, too) is peanuts compared to other discretionary spending. Waiting for Congress to actually tackle other reforms, including taxes, means none of our serious problems will be resolved and we will decline economically.
Don:
You made two incompatible statements:
$5B a year for corridor development ain’t chump change."
and later:
“$19 billion per year for passenger rail”
Which one is currently “operative” as they used to say in DC?
The total for passenger rail is $19B a year. Of that, $5B is for earmarked for corridor development.
It’s not clear, but I suppose the other $14B is good state of repair for the NEC plus commuter rail work.
Yes, Social Security is the easier entitlement to fix, but it’s joined at the hip to Medicare, which will eat the whole budget. Amtrak included.
Economic decline? You should read “Balance: The Economics of Great Powers from Ancient Rome to Modern America” by Hubbard and Kane. Fascinating book.
And, for those who don’t have the book, a fascinating Web site.
A good companion would be Paul Kennedy (1987). “The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict From 1500 to 2000.”
Does “corridor” refer only to the NEC or does it cover other corridors? I would think the plan would be dead in the water if it only covered the NEC.
-Erik
nonsense.