I don't know where you got that the interstate was considered a boondoggle. Of course it's outside our living memories, but I kind of doubt it.
It's said in the news clip from the period...and in news items:
June 29, 1956
Washington (DC) - The raving socialist President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 today, a huge federal government boondoggle that will end up costing taxpayers $182 billion .
This is despite the obvious fact that this wasteful Interstate Highway-building scheme doesn't pay for itself, a point hammered home by the 1939 report to Congress, Toll Roads and Free Roads. The report showed that "revenue from tolls on most segments would not support the bonds issued for their construction."
We need to send Ike a message: we will not accept Federal Aid funding for this government waste!
Source: Eisenhower Interstate Highway System -Frequently Asked Questions (
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/faq.htm)
I don't think commuters are going to be riding high speed rail at all. There are just not enough people commuting from Orlando to Tampa and visa versa to make the project worthwhile. It is budget candy.
"Budget candy"? Like Boehner's engines or NASCAR advertising for the Army?
Fact is: We don't know who will be riding high speed rail once the system is finished in what, 10 years? Just like we didn't know who would use the interstates way back when...
The problem with the federal money is that it's just bait. If the feds were picking up the entire cost of construction and maintence, I could see Scott taking it,
You're kidding right?
