Sorry, but you got to start somewhere. If I support some unconstitutional federal agenda because I feel it is better spent there than on some other unconstitutional federal agenda then our society merely continues to spin recklessly toward some socialist “utopia”. I can’t support that. Either our Constitution is valid and means something or it doesn’t. I can’t play it half way.

Again, I ask is there no limit to what we want the imperial federal government to provide for us by first taking from us?

If Kawasaki is assembling in Yonkers, Alstom in Hornell, and Rotem in Philadelphia, are they really all that foreign? (Yes, the parts are coming from overseas, but tell me with a straight face that an American company wouldn’t offshore those in a heartbeat.)

It helps take the GOP reach states of Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington out of contention, is a minor boost in Michigan where he’s already defending a lead, mobilizes the Democratic base in Southeastern Pennsylvania (defense) and Northern Virginia (offense), and makes a strong play for Missouri and Indiana.

The electoral politics of intercity rail advocacy are actually pretty good, and it’s refreshing to see that Obama recognises this.

A lot of them seem to be defunct, but generally they are in the traditional rust belt areas — Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, etc. Of course there isn’t as much manufacturing involved in setting up rail, since the cars last longer and serve more people. But at least it’s something. Of course to get a good transportation system we also need the best technology, and I doubt the U.S. is at the forefront of rail innovation… but maybe catching up wouldn’t be too hard.