I used to work for an international construction firm that had a long standing relationship renovating auto factories for one of the big three in the country. One of the plants I worked on in our capacity as construction managers had been converted to make tanks during WWII, and another had made bombers in the same period.So why is it we should just give money to Ford and GM? Why not take the same amount of money and have them re-tool a couple of their plants to make railroad cars and engines? And the company that makes their bucket seats could make comfortable passenger car seats. The stamping plants for engine parts could make train wheels or retool to make rails. This makes so much sense on so many levels government probably will not even consider it.
Level one is that big business always bemoans welfare to the poor. Don't they always say, "let them get jobs." Well, I think that applies to the big three. Can't sell cars because the poor are not working because we are in a recession then don't make cars. Make trains.
Due to the fuel crisis and our need to be more green and less dependent upon foreign oil more freight companies have been piggybacking their trailers between major cities rather than trucking them. As I reported in an early blog this has caused some issue with trains because of aging track and cars. We need more capacity to ship more stuff.
Our reliance on airplanes for travel is also silly. Planes really waste fuel. And the contrails from the number of planes in the skies at anyone time are believed to be increasing the effects of global warming. More of us need to take trains for those between town jaunts to visit Aunt Helen. And if the SUV could come with us on a specially built train car we would not need a rental car at our destination. Fifty cars riding on a train are not burning fuel wastefully and contributing to greenhouse gases like the same 50 cars on the interstate.
Transporting cars on trains for long distance travel also reduces wear and tear on our aging interstate system until much needed repairs of the infrastructure can be effected. Maybe we can use out-of-work United Auto Workers who will not compromise on their benefit packages. (Does this sound like CEO's and golden parachutes?)
So no bailout money for auto companies without a plan for them to produce something we can use. Let's make trains.
Great idea. Instead of perpetuating the main problem which is that we use our cars to get everywhere, let's invest in public transportation. And as anyone can attest who has availed themselves of the wonderful rail system of Europe, not only is it convenient and fast, you can actually enjoy the scenery stress-free.
ReplyDeleteI e-mailed this blog to Obama's transition headquarters and to my US Senator. Our governor here in New Mexico, Bill Richardson, is already committed to light rail and if he ends up being Energy Secretary he might move on this.
ReplyDeleteWe need to change our directions to be more green and less dependent on imported oil for sure.
I certainly agree with your assessment...makes sense to me!
ReplyDeleteAny bail-out will be a waste of money if the people can not afford to buy vehicles. One still needs employment to afford ANY merchandise!
Twelve years ago, I visited my sister who has lived in Europe for several decades. What impressed me the most was the reliance on rail travel as opposed to vehicles. Of course, what helps this is that gas is ridiculously high priced there and was even twelve years ago, but Europeans have relied on rail travel for decades now and are light years ahead of us in that respect. They are also given to building pedestrian friendly towns where you can walk to do all of your shopping. Where I live, all of the shopping is just outside city limits on the outskirts of town both east and south of town, so if, like me, you live in the center of town, you have to rely on your car to get any kind of shopping done. Downtown died when Wal-Mart moved in and it has yet to recover. Everyone goes to Wal-Mart these days because our local store just became a "SuperStore" with grocery shopping under the same roof as everything else, so everyone goes there now to do all of their shopping for everything under one roof. Convenience has won out over supporting local businesses, sadly.
ReplyDeleteI miss rail travel. When I was little, we went places on the train, and it was so exciting. Traveling by rail in Europe was so sentimental in a way and brought back the excitement of traveling on a train. I loved it and wish the US would get with the program and re-institute its once great rail travel system, which used to be the best in the world before Big Auto and Big Oil killed it.
The railroad barons ultimately felt remorse for how they raped the west and donated lands that became the foundation of our National Park service.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you like to see the oil barons show some remorse for how they raped our environment an changed us to a sprawling, auto based culture while destroying communities along the way. Their mea culpa could be an integrated and efficient light rail system linking satellite neighborhoods, and high speed trains between major cities.