by Jack
Amtrak Train Derailment MAY 14, 2015
Before the last body was removed from the wreckage House democrats were already blaming republicans for not giving Amtrak more money for safety improvements.
But, wait just a second! Amtrak receives a boat load of money from the government every year and they (Amtrak) prioritize how it’s spent. This train wreck was by all accounts due to the engineer who was going over 100 mph as he headed into a 50 mph turn.
For some reason the automatic braking system didn’t work as planned and the train tipped over. The new positive train control system (better auto braking) had not yet been installed, but it’s expected to be in with a few months. How is this the fault of the republicans? Only the lunatics on the far left of Washington politics could come up with this one. What’s their mantra, never let a good crisis go to waste?
Amtrak has cost the government over $45 billion in subsidies over the last 4 decades, allowing it to finance the upkeep of unprofitable routes, overstaffed trains, and the mismanagement of its food services. Forty-four years later, Amtrak appears no closer to financial independence than the day taxpayer assistance began. Worse, Amtrak has no apparent plan to become self-sufficient.
The republicans are on the right track, they want more accountability from Amtrak and that means better management and a plan to bring them into the black. As for safety, the railroad, nor any type of transportation organization will regulate away human error.
Gotta wonder about the mental facilities of those who are unable to tell the difference between a train going twice the speed limit and a budget item in Clowngress.
Oh, wait! They’re Demwits. Only one other thing to add: Despicable! ‘Nuff said.
The US government has deemed a bullet train worthy of $55 billion in matched funding.
What the H are they thinking in Washington as well as California? What is it that prevents politicians and bureaucrats from sensible prioritizing when it comes to infrastructure?
California needs to handle it’s water problem (We’ve known this for at least thirty years) and yet Gov. Brown’s European style pet choo choo project was more important…more important than the farmers who provide us food and more important than the citizenry who are now expected to cut water use by at least 20%.
“Demwits” are particularly bad at spending and managing the people’s money. As PS has pointed out time and again it is the democrat controlled big cities that are in fiscal trouble with high unemployment and crime.
It won’t change until/unless the people wise up and realize that their true power lies in having choices, choices that come with private sector competition and profit incentive. Companies operate on a simple concept…meet the demand…find a need and fill it! then efficiency and competence become the keys to future business as companies must compete for the work. Doing the best job or providing the best product at the best price become goals that serve the public.
Big government bureaucracies have zero incentive to spend wisely, work efficiently, or follow through. They certainly seem to have zero ability to prioritize.
LOL
First off there is something very wrong in this scenario. The facts are not out. a
The new sofety system was installed just no funding for that part of the track. That was a new engine equipped. Again that part of the track was not equipped due to lack of funds.
Second the GOP Congress is slowly defunding Amtrak because they want to privatize all rail like England did. This is the Reagan/Thatcher plan. Thatcher was dead (I think by the time they got their rail privatized. It was a disaster.
There is the other scenario to check out of another train being hit by a rock or shot. There is a report that they have to check out. Did something strike that train? A Question – Left side of windshield.
I do believe the ruckus was about the GOP cutting further funds from Amtrak the day after the crash. So upgrading tracks will still be further slowed down.
Again the Democrats were shocked the GOP further defunded Amtrak a day after the wreck. The system was installed on the previous parts of the track. That part of track was waiting for funding.
Also Those trains enter and leave the stations very very slow. have ya ridden them? I have. That train sped up way too soon. That curve was not far from station. The speed up point was after the curve. So why was the train going so fast? There is something very wrong. Does not add up. We crawl into and out of those stations for a few minutes.
Everything wrong in the world is Democrats and everything perfect is republicans
Life is about a dream
I like having a government. The part of the government that screws everything up is 100%GOP with a a growing population of bought out Democrats.
I rather have a gov than be owned by a corporation
hate will loose your next election Americans are tired of the games
The rukus was about the GOP cutting funding 1 day after the wreck?
Why because besides the fact they want to privatize it away to foreigners thy do not want the safety system finished.
Funny how the wasted $ going to the military is always ok but infrastructure? Oh that’s bad!
I guess some are looking forward to the day you start paying tolls at the end of your driveway
Dewey… A wise man once said “if you are a raving loon it is best that you don’t open your mouth and prove it”!
#5 – Well said!
Note to Dewey – Try spellcheck.