Worst Inauguration Day Selloff In History

[Dignity]

I suppose it is no more necessary than a train line from Chicago to St. Louis. But I don't think there is any doubt that this project will create jobs -- or keep people employed -- which is the underlying theme of the Act. Many (if not most) of the "projects" are not "necessary" when taken piecemeal, but the hope is that these projects taken together will create jobs and stimulate the economy, while hopefully providing service or infrastructure that is good for the people of this country. By its very nature, however, if the gov't is going to spend close to a trillion dollars to keep people employed, it is going to need to "find" projects to do. This is likely one of those conjured-up projects (though apparantly conjured up many years ago). Although this project is of little use to me personally, I find it much better than the projects that cannot be reconciled with the purpose of the Act. One of the favorites on the blogosphere is the money that is being used in MS for doorbells. Dapoes' Stimulus Watch link provides some "projects" that many will claim as morally reprehensible. Although we may find this project useless to us, at least it is in the spirit of the Act by creating jobs.

if the train was actually to be used for another means of a city public transportation so people could get back and forth to work, such as a subway..I may actually agree...but of course this probably is only a project for those to be able to link.. for weekends to go gambling. even though it probably will result in the creation of jobs, those who think spending money to it makes is "easier" to go and gamble really do not have their priorities in the right place.

 

[dapoes]

acccording to the article this is suppose to be another means of traveling for a Vegas weekend get-a-way to go gamble.. because of the traffic? they are actually going to use Stimulus money to finance this type of project?

I do try to be understanding and this may in fact create jobs.. I guess.. to build it, but is it really that necessary? it seems like a total waste of money to do this at this time..

I recall when I lived in so cal that this idea was tossed around every other year. Feasibility studies shot it down at the sheer cost and return on investment. If its to benefit Vegas why not have the casinos subsidize it.

Los Angeles basin needs a better rapid transit/subway, etc more so then a bullet train to vegas. Its only 4 hours by car and specials all the time from LAX and Long Beach airports to vegas that gets you there in 45 min. Its a stupid idea. Build better rapid transit infrastructure and then give tax/payroll incentives for people to use.

 

[Dignity]

I recall when I lived in so cal that this idea was tossed around every other year. Feasibility studies shot it down at the sheer cost and return on investment. If its to benefit Vegas why not have the casinos subsidize it.

Los Angeles basin needs a better rapid transit/subway, etc more so then a bullet train to vegas. Its only 4 hours by car and specials all the time from LAX and Long Beach airports to vegas that gets you there in 45 min. Its a stupid idea. Build better rapid transit infrastructure and then give tax/payroll incentives for people to use.

it seems like a complete waste of money to me. I wondered did air service just stop between LAX and LAS? that would be a no, or drive in the car?

if they are to build a train they should focus on something everyday people can use daily all day long for transportation in the city, again a subway, that just makes more sense to me.

I am very concerned most of this new stimulus money is just going to be wasted on projects such as this. But probably most of the money will end up going overseas which probably will happen regardless..

 

[dapoes]

it seems like a complete waste of money to me. I wondered did air service just stop between LAX and LAS? that would be a no, or drive in the car?

if they are to build a train they should focus on something everyday people can use daily all day long for transportation in the city, again a subway, that just makes more sense to me.

I am very concerned most of this new stimulus money is just going to be wasted on projects such as this. But probably most of the money will end up going overseas which probably will happen regardless..

:blink: :blink: :blink: Exactly!!!! I just dont see the benefit. How is this going to make money? Or is it going to be subsidized like the rest of the railways for decades? Its great for bragging rights but thats about all it worth. I used to fly to Vegas on Jet blue from Long Beach for $40 round trip, now its around $60-80. And im there in 45 minutes, feet on the ground.

 

[Gilding the Lily]

:blink: :blink: :blink: Exactly!!!! I just dont see the benefit. How is this going to make money? Or is it going to be subsidized like the rest of the railways for decades? Its great for bragging rights but thats about all it worth. I used to fly to Vegas on Jet blue from Long Beach for $40 round trip, now its around $60-80. And im there in 45 minutes, feet on the ground.

If pulling in revenue is your "test" for whether such projects are suitable for the Act, then I think you will find that most of the projects will not meet your standards. The Act was not created for the primary purpose of bringing in revenues (i.e. building bridges, etc.). Your issue is less with the specific project, and more an issue with the entire Act.

 

[dapoes]

If pulling in revenue is your "test" for whether such projects are suitable for the Act, then I think you will find that most of the projects will not meet your standards. The Act was not created for the primary purpose of bringing in revenues (i.e. building bridges, etc.). Your issue is less with the specific project, and more an issue with the entire Act.

The specific issues is what makes up the majority of the act. If it cant sustain itself, then it will have to be subsidized like the rest of the rail industry. Thats why this project could never pass in California in the past. The feasibility studies showed that it just couldn't sustain itself and soon become a burden on state.

 

[Dignity]

today it just does not make any sense to link LA to LAS when there are airfares for sixty dollars and you are there in less than an hour.

Maybe 20 years ago it seemed like a good idea, but that was 20 years ago! To spend money just to be spending it on a rail system that does not make any sense is not very responsible.

so they are projecting people who are can barely afford their homes will just end up taking the train to Vegas and then gamble whats left of their mortgage payment away and spin the slots? I mean come on already.

when that was the subject on a radio talk show yesterday, I thought it was a joke. apparently they are serious doing this project and its just more spending..just because now they can..with stimulus money part two in play...

 

[Garfield]

I think even the most hardcore Messiah supporter has to struggle to support this bill with all this garbage like this LAX/LAS railroad there is so much BS in this bill it is unreal

 

[Garfield1966]

I dissagree about the rail way.

First, we have crap for public transportation and we need to start investing somewhere. As far as I am concerned, this is as good place as anywhere to start. It's a public works project that will provide jobs and maybe put some folks back to work. Also, it takes a hell of a lot longer than 1 hour to fly to Vegas. I have to be at the airport 1 1/2 -2 hours early, ATC delays, mechanicals and what have you. It takes me another hour from the time I get off the plane to get my luggage and get a car/tax to go to town. After all is said an done it takes 4 or 5 hours for a 1 hour flight.

Granted it will probably be screwed up. I suspect it will not be a bullet train, it will not have the frequency needed and it will probably not be reliable. If we could get the Swiss or Japanese to design/run the project it would probably rock.

 

[dapoes]

I dissagree about the rail way.

First, we have crap for public transportation and we need to start investing somewhere. As far as I am concerned, this is as good place as anywhere to start. It's a public works project that will provide jobs and maybe put some folks back to work. Also, it takes a hell of a lot longer than 1 hour to fly to Vegas. I have to be at the airport 1 1/2 -2 hours early, ATC delays, mechanicals and what have you. It takes me another hour from the time I get off the plane to get my luggage and get a car/tax to go to town. After all is said an done it takes 4 or 5 hours for a 1 hour flight.

Granted it will probably be screwed up. I suspect it will not be a bullet train, it will not have the frequency needed and it will probably not be reliable. If we could get the Swiss or Japanese to design/run the project it would probably rock.

This really isnt something you could consider as mass transit public transportation...from Vegas to LA??? Money would be better spent in transit railway, subway, etc projects in the metro LA area w/incentives for use.

Its been discussed plenty in the past and every time it got shot down after feasibility studys were done. Plus after all is said and done it the budget will run into cost overruns and more money will have to be pumped into a losing proposition.

 

[dapoes]

Look at this article from 2/08

300-mph train would whisk travelers from Vegas to Disneyland

Backers of DesertXpress, among them Nevada GOP powerbroker Sig Rogich, are pouring millions into their project and courting Nevada lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., a longtime supporter of MagLev.

The most recent delay to afflict the Anaheim-to-Vegas MagLev plan was a drafting error that blocked $45 million the project was supposed to get in Congress' 2005 highway bill. Legislation to correct the error cleared the House last year and is awaiting passage in the Senate, where it has been tied up by unrelated issues.

If it gets the financial boost, the MagLev project plans to issue bonds and seek government loans.

The holdup has given Rogich time to make his case.

"I'm hoping that the Senate as a whole will look at what's been spent to date and ask specifically what is this $45 million for," Rogich said.

MagLev has received more than $9 million in federal money over the years, spending most of it on design plans, ridership projections and other studies. The additional $45 million would pay principally for government-required environmental reviews.

MagLev's higher price tag comes from its technology: superswift, silent trains propelled over special tracks by electricity and magnetic forces. The technology is in commercial use only on one short route in China.

Over the past several decades, a number of MagLev proposals in this country have never moved beyond the planning phase. That is just one reason many are skeptical either train will ever leave the station.

Among other reasons: Neither proposal actually brings travelers to Los Angeles. DesertXpress says extending its tracks that far south is too expensive and unnecessary.

Even a train that ran between L.A. and Vegas wouldn't guarantee financial success. Amtrak's Desert Wind between the two cities was canceled in 1997 because of low ridership.

 

[Seatacus]

If Las Vegas wants a bullet train for depositors then let them build it themselves. How many times have you seen free bus rides and discounted airfares for people to go to casinos. If people want to go gambling and lose their money ( and they all lose ) then let them lose a little more getting there or have the casino supply the transportation.

 

[dapoes]

If Las Vegas wants a bullet train for depositors then let them build it themselves. How many times have you seen free bus rides and discounted airfares for people to go to casinos. If people want to go gambling and lose their money ( and they all lose ) then let them lose a little more getting there or have the casino supply the transportation.

There was some discussion in the past of the casinos subsidizing the cost. Even they thought it would be hair brained.

 

[Dignity]

I dissagree about the rail way.
I honestly believe and think its not a good idea

First, we have crap for public transportation and we need to start investing somewhere.
The best situation would be to actually invest in the crappy public transportation rather than building a railway that makes no sense at all


As far as I am concerned, this is as good place as anywhere to start.
but one must ask themselves, will this venture sustain jobs into the future..more than likely no..

It's a public works project that will provide jobs and maybe put some folks back to work.
that can happen with other projects rather than building a railway that is really unnecessary, how about repairs the roads? how about buying people cars?(they are trying to give them away now-a-days)


Also, it takes a hell of a lot longer than 1 hour to fly to Vegas. I have to be at the airport 1 1/2 -2 hours early, ATC delays, mechanicals and what have you. It takes me another hour from the time I get off the plane to get my luggage and get a car/tax to go to town. After all is said an done it takes 4 or 5 hours for a 1 hour flight.
that still does not justify this senseless waste of taxpayers dollars on this 20 year old project that has gone no where for the past 20 years..

Granted it will probably be screwed up.
it will be screwed up not probably

I suspect it will not be a bullet train, it will not have the frequency needed and it will probably not be reliable.
it will end up failing to provide the necessary transportation every day people really may need to go to work or just where they need to go, such as a subway or train system in a surrounding city that may be actually necessary..

If we could get the Swiss or Japanese to design/run the project it would probably rock.
that would mean sending stimulus money overseas, was that the point of it all??

over all I think its a really neat concept(for throwing ideas around) actually an inner city train would more than likely help some in communities that have lengthy traffic delays..but if the casinos will not subsidize any of it..you know there is a problem..

 

[Garfield1966]

You make valid points. I am looking at it more as a public transportation starting point. That rail line gets hooked up to other rail lines and more rail lines get built.

My sister was looking to come out and visit. They did want to fly as her husband just had major surgery and the plane ride was not in the cards. Any way. From ONT to DW would take 2 days. Forty plus hours. I can drive it non-stop in less than 20 hours. Could not even take one train Had to over night in Austin.

I believe road repair is part of the stimulus bill. As for cars, I'd rather see the money go into public transportation than cars. IMO, we need to start moving away from private vehicles.

The Japanese/Swiss thing was just so that it works. If the Swiss or Japanese say the train will leave at 12:00:00. It will be gone at 12:00:01.