A Free Ride

Cheaper, cleaner, more efficient. Isn't that the American way? Apparently not, because many people in this country are not just neutral to public transportation, but actively against it. We love our cars, even if buses and trains would cause less pollution, cost less in upkeep, and dramatically reduce the problem that local politicians constantly complain about but can't fix, traffic. Despite the historic significance and modern importance of railroads, Congress and the Executive are working together to destroy the national rail system by making Amtrak bankrupt and then privatizing it. Despite the fact that public transportation could easily be extended to reach every small corner of the country, we continue to spend inconceivable amounts of money on building more roads and maintaining existing ones for the ever-increasing number of cars.
Ever since the tire companies bribed city officials to stop popular streetcars and trolleys in Baltimore and other cities (Goodyear was found guilty of this in Baltimore; it's in the public record), there has been a trend of politicians supporting automakers' profits over their own citizens' best interest. The two possible projects in Maryland now are a real subway system in my lovely city and a giant highway between the D.C. suburbs and the Baltimore suburbs. Guess which one is going to happen.
The solution is an enormous re-investment in the rail system, big increases in local bus and subway systems, and the elimination of fares for passengers, so that everyone can use them. This might seem expensive, but not if you compare it to the cost of cars, roadbuilding, suburban expansion, gas, and gas-driven foreign policy.