Warren Meyer [1] points out that the website of the proposed California high-speed rail bond says that the thing will generate 450,000 [2] permanent jobs, which is an amazing thing when you consider that all of U.S. rail employs about half that many right now.
[3]Leaving aside your (quite correct) “principle” points, If they’re going to use THAT many people, Billy [4], you can pretty much figure the operating costs of the thing are going to be off the ceiling at the off. I don’t think they’re lying abut that figure, though. No question that I could see them going that high, given unions and government put together always equals around 75% waste of money and time. I fail to see how that’s a benefit, however. I mean… you think the taxes are high out there now?
Wait. Just wait.
I suspect the high speed rail will be a project most will use only once… in leaving the state.