Actually railroads are a very profitable industry and railroads are constantly expanding, especially in the midwest. It makes more sense to move goods by rail than people.
The money comes out of our general budget? About 40% of funds to pay for roads is paid for by gas taxes. Another 20% are paid for by car taxes and fees. The other 40% is paid for out of the general funds... however, due to the anti-tax movement in the US this will probably continue to drop.
Actually the US hasn't given up on trains, just passenger trains. The US (along with Canada) has perhaps the most efficient and utilized freight rail system in the world, with some of the lowest rates. Oh, and it's also almost completely unsubsidized. The freight rail industry is supposed to be one of the fastest growing industry's next year.
When you think about it, it makes more sense to ship goods on rail and people by automobile. I think our system makes plenty of sense.
The US has the most advanced mass transit system in the world. As a matter of fact, it's so advanced that you can go anywhere you want, anytime day or night, in complete privacy and comfort.
Eh... there's really no better way to earn karma on slashdot than crying about a government conspiracy... hell you could write a program to automate it.
That doesn't necessarily mean that this list shouldn't exist. That may just show an increased need for law and order. Just because there is a fear of retribution doesn't mean that something should be attempted (for better or for worse).
Both government are imperfect but I won't get into which one I think is better.
First off, Supreme Courts aren't stacked, those judges have to be ratified by the senate. And amendments seem to me to be *much* harder to pass than to enact the notwithstanding clause.
In the US, a constitution lacking this clause has allowed slavery, discrimination, and long-term detention without trial.
Apples to oranges, in the US those weren't and in some cases still aren't rights. I think it's dumb to have a provision in the Constitution saying that we can take away what rights we pretended to give you in the first place.
I dunno, I can tell you I prefer our form of government.
Why should we accommodate your laziness and/or stupidity? Ever hear of an absentee ballot? As for registration, yeah it's so hard to go down to town hall for 1/2 an hour to register. If you don't want to put in the effort to vote, then screw ya'.
Yeah but don't you see the problem with that? You'd have supreme court justices campaigning on how tough they were on terrorists or something, other than interpretting law.
Direct democracy is not a good thing. Hell, I'm in favor of repealing the 17th amendment as a matter of fact.
That is not my understanding of a republic and the difference is important to me. IMO a republic is a highly decentralized union of city-states who run themselves and elect representatives who have a say in the federal government. Think Ancient Rome before Caesar.
This is different from a more centralized democracy. IANA political scientist so correct me if I'm wrong.
Slashdot Mirror
Um..... we have these impressive flying high-speed trains called jets that I'm fairly sure you could take right now, if you wanted to. :)
Actually railroads are a very profitable industry and railroads are constantly expanding, especially in the midwest. It makes more sense to move goods by rail than people.
The money comes out of our general budget? About 40% of funds to pay for roads is paid for by gas taxes. Another 20% are paid for by car taxes and fees. The other 40% is paid for out of the general funds... however, due to the anti-tax movement in the US this will probably continue to drop.
.02 cents per mile.
Another factoid:
Automobile subsidy:
Amtrak subsidy: 23 cents-per-mile
Actually the US hasn't given up on trains, just passenger trains. The US (along with Canada) has perhaps the most efficient and utilized freight rail system in the world, with some of the lowest rates. Oh, and it's also almost completely unsubsidized. The freight rail industry is supposed to be one of the fastest growing industry's next year.
When you think about it, it makes more sense to ship goods on rail and people by automobile. I think our system makes plenty of sense.
The US has the most advanced mass transit system in the world. As a matter of fact, it's so advanced that you can go anywhere you want, anytime day or night, in complete privacy and comfort.
Eh... there's really no better way to earn karma on slashdot than crying about a government conspiracy... hell you could write a program to automate it.
... yet they have no problem buying drugs from abroad. Yeah, they're REAL patriotic.
You're a fucking idiot... these are already public files you moron. This just makes them easier to find.
That doesn't necessarily mean that this list shouldn't exist. That may just show an increased need for law and order. Just because there is a fear of retribution doesn't mean that something should be attempted (for better or for worse).
How are we not living up to our ideals promised?
I think freedom-loving people will vote with their feet. We shall see.
Well any republic or democracy is only as good as it's citizens, unfortunately, so you may be on to something there.
First off, Supreme Courts aren't stacked, those judges have to be ratified by the senate. And amendments seem to me to be *much* harder to pass than to enact the notwithstanding clause.
In the US, a constitution lacking this clause has allowed slavery, discrimination, and long-term detention without trial.
Apples to oranges, in the US those weren't and in some cases still aren't rights. I think it's dumb to have a provision in the Constitution saying that we can take away what rights we pretended to give you in the first place. I dunno, I can tell you I prefer our form of government.
Eh, I follow Canadian news and I'm not impressed. I'll take the US anyday.
Look up the Notwithstanding Clause in the Canadians Constitution before you do, mmmkay?
Famous last words... heh. It's fairly foolish to think that simply having open source and a paper trail will mean "secure voting".
Ahhh, laziness AND stupidity. The ol' 1-2. I thought so.
You might wanna try reading the Canadian constitution before you do that.
Greens take limited government to heart? Haha, are you also a comedian?
Why should we accommodate your laziness and/or stupidity? Ever hear of an absentee ballot? As for registration, yeah it's so hard to go down to town hall for 1/2 an hour to register. If you don't want to put in the effort to vote, then screw ya'.
The supreme court. Heh, we have division of government for a reason.
Yes and this is why some believe Bush is spending like crazy. Deficit = debt = printing money to pay off debt = lower currenty.
Yeah but don't you see the problem with that? You'd have supreme court justices campaigning on how tough they were on terrorists or something, other than interpretting law.
Direct democracy is not a good thing. Hell, I'm in favor of repealing the 17th amendment as a matter of fact.
That is not my understanding of a republic and the difference is important to me. IMO a republic is a highly decentralized union of city-states who run themselves and elect representatives who have a say in the federal government. Think Ancient Rome before Caesar.
This is different from a more centralized democracy. IANA political scientist so correct me if I'm wrong.
So you'd like for the court to be elected? The supreme court nominees had to be ratified (by the then Democratic congress) you know.
He's also a known fool and incompetent (and incidentally a billionaire). Don't listen to what he says, no one here does.