Yeah, I know, nothing's free. But when you look at the amount of people using the Nation's highways and the economics the system drives, there is no comparison between Amtrak and highways. Same for aviation. The return on investment absolutely crushes Amtrak.

I am all for subsidizing passenger rail transport where it makes sense-- and that's pretty much in short corridors of 500 miles or less between major population centers. Long-distance "land cruises" can be operated by private entities who identify a niche market and are willing to make a go at it targeting people who have the time and money to pay for the experience.