I consider myself very fortunate to have grown up in the '60s when classic muscle cars were king: Mustangs, GTOs, 'Vettes, etc. etc. etc.
But the days of cheap gasoline are over,
Full size SUVs will never make a comeback, let alone the muscle cars of my youth.
The GOP is STUPID and myopic for opposing construction of modern passenger rail.
As gasoline becomes more costly, more Americans will demand efficient rail transit. And the GOP is on the wrong side of progress.
If I was wanting to prove that high speed rail would actually make a profit this is how I would do it.
Buy the right a way and put in the roadbed and bridges and tunnels needed. A straight unimpeded route from city A to city B. Pave it and run regular modified buses at or near the speeds predicted with the high speed rail. On a fairly level route with no intersections and no other traffic you could get a bus up to much higher speeds than found on the Interstates in good weather. If the bus ridership means an increase in bus traffic on the route then install the needed signaling equipment for the train system but have the bus system try it out to make sure it works good.
When and if the bus system reaches a point where it can’t handle the demand then tear up the pavement and lay down railroad tracks. Myself I would run diesels locomotives for a few more years before investing the capital costs of electrification needed for true high speed rail.
My friend, The GOP is not stupid. I will refrain from descibing you, but you are talking to an ex-drag racer and short track driver. And....if you claim to be so versed in automobiles and their gas comsumption rate, I suggest before mouthing your opinion, you ought to read any current issue of Car & Driver Magazine or Motor Trend Magazine. You will kindly take note of the “dozens” of new and upcoming cars with over 300HP engines. Ever hear of these, Camaro, Mustang, Corvette, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, how about Volkswagon, Toyota, Nisson, Honda, how about the various USA pickup trucks. And....forget it, friend, check out the wide range of SUVs coming up. Now as for railroads, give me a break, they ain’t gonna make it!!! Hey, sir, you Barack Obama and the entire Democrat Party are never going to end the love affair that Americans have with their cars, and Europeans, and Japanese, and...now China (PRC) and India. etc. Get real dude, you been drinking too much Obama “Kool-Aid”!!! Passenger trains are passe, big time.