Irrespective of all other issues, we can't afford this train. The debt service alone will be huge enough to adversely impact other programs, such as schools. If the governor & legislature sell bonds in June, I will have to conclude that we don't need to vote for any new taxes whatsoever this November. Any politician who votes for selling these bonds, doesn't need my vote.

What a pile!
Where were you in about the fifth year of the war that was illegal and broke our country?
Crying over Wall Street losses?
It is simple math. The rich do not want to fork over money who live comfortably in their antiqued filled houses on the Peninsula.
You do not hear anyone griping outside of our beloved San Mateo County. Check out the opinion polls of those younger people who have more to worry about than trivial pursuits and guarding what they have left.
America has little or nothing left as a nation. It is those who are rich and comfortable who are very much in agreement with you.

Yes Mr. Gordon, please DO check the opinion polls. 75% of the state is now AGAINST HSR. Hardly only "San Mateo County."

75% Republican financed votes. Not ONE university or college or specific age group was polled.
Mostly over 40ish.
Get a grip.

Mr. Gordon:

Really? From the linked article:

"If a bond measure to construct a high-speed rail system were put on a California ballot today, the state’s voters would reject it by 59 percent, according to the results of a new Field Poll released Tuesday."

"The results highlighted a significant change in voter sentiment since November 2008, when Proposition 1A passed with more than 52 percent of voter approval and successfully established California’s High Speed Rail project."

"Nearly two out of three of the voters who took part in the Field Poll stated they would support the legislature putting the bond measure back on the ballot for another public vote.
By an almost two-to-one margin, — or 59 percent to 31 percent—voters said they would reject high-speed rail, according to results.
The poll also found that 37 percent of voters who approved Prop 1A in 2008 would change their vote to no if the bond measure came on the ballot again."

Web Link

Not 73%, but certainly a majority think the project should be killed.

Re. increasingly expensive transportation:

"The most radical thing you can do now is stay home."
--Gary Snyder

MV -

Remember what George Bernard Shaw said about wrestling with a pig.

Editors: No offense intended to the porcine community.

You're right POGO. Sometimes I can't resist pointing out when someone is so blatently wrong.

MV -

It's a common affliction.

To Cheri,POGO and Menlo Voter:

Love you guys. Let me vote for you sometime. I used to feel so alone, now suddenly the obvious is obvious to others. Union Labor only cares about itself - at the expense of everyone else. All the best - and keep your comments coming.

The parasite is KILLING the host.

As I've said before, I'd rather build a stairway to the moon.

And everyone should note that with this last budget modification (and does anyone believe the new budget is anywhere close to the final number!), this is no longer "High Speed" Rail.

What they are now proposing is just a $60 billion train. Just.

Amtrak already runs from the bay area to LA. If the new HSR isn't really HSR, there's no need for it as train transport between the two areas already exists. It would be irresponsible to build a duplicate, unneeded train.

I love California because we are willing to invest in progressive policies. I do worry that we forget that not all progressive policies are equal in their public return on investment or moral responsibility.

I share everyone’s dream for California to be a 21st century state, but a truly advanced society starts with its children. It’s there we should be building grand dreams.

Chris Chiang
Democratic Candidate for the State Senate
(for San Mateo County/northern Santa Clara County)
More info: www.halfourbudget.org

Mr. Chiang -

Yes, and most of those "grand dreams" you reference have made our state the highest taxed and most indebted state in the nation. Congratulations.

Instead of dreaming about trains, I suggest you focus on a few things that impact citizens of our communities every day.

Here are just three. First, our schools are failing our children and they are dropping out at an absurdly high rate. You want something that impacts our future - think about half of our kids entering the workforce without so much as a GED. Second, our roads are in a horrible state of disrepair and the traffic. If you drive on El Camino Real - as we all do - this road alone is costing you and your neighbors countless wasted hours and wasted gasoline spending every single trip. Grand dream? I'm not aware of a single proposal that will have even the slightest impact on that. And third, instead of our public employees working for the citizens, our citizens are now working for our public employees, especially those that are retired and no longer employed. What was once a few percent of a budget for pension benefits is now the single biggest component. In some municipalities, pensions will be almost half of government spending.

So forgive me if I'm less than enthusiastic about a $100+ billion train to Los Angeles. How about a politician with the courage to address these real issues honestly?