The Times is right on track today in their editorial for more Amtrak funding. A pending bill would double the public-private rail service’s federal funding from its current $1.2 billion. But the bill is being held up by Republicans who want to use public money to build a high-speed, private rail service between New York City and Washington, D.C. Apparently this will make the bill veto-proof.

The Times rightly calls using scarce public transit funds on a private rail service idiotic. What’s lacking in the editorial, though, are the necessary exclamation points and bursts of profanity to convey how mind-blowingly moronic the private-train plan is. People wishing to commute from Washington to New York already have about 9,000 options — two of which are from Amtrak, including (get ready) a premium, high-speed train. Meanwhile with gas prices soaring and the carbon-filled air warming, entire swaths of the country have little choice but to rely on cars for their long-distance travel.

On the other hand, with the Republican plan, lawmakers wishing to catch a broadway show or talk in person to a Wall Street lawyer may have a bit of convenience added to their lives.-MB

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