[decimon]

Here's another aspect where W and the gov't have failed us.

I'd prefer to leave gov't out of this to let the market respond to demand.

I'll stand corrected if wrong but I believe the needed railbeds are extant and needing just the rail and the trains.

[chief_bigfoot]

"I'd prefer to leave gov't out of this to let the market respond to demand."

In a perfect world where the government actually abides by the Constitution as written, I'd agree. Unfortunately the reality is that we are burdened by huge beauracratic millstones that restrict, discourage, and outright prohibit the market forces at every turn. The only way I see to get past that and remedy this problem is by W using the bully pulpit and executive order during wartime.

" I'll stand corrected if wrong but I believe the needed railbeds are extant and needing just the rail and the trains."

The railbeds may still be there, but they were either in the wrong place and unprofitable, or now they have been converted to bike paths.

[Thermalseeker]

I'd prefer to leave gov't out of this to let the market respond to demand.

Here here!