Actually, with all due respect;
just because they do something in Europe, is itself a very poor recommendation as to why we should do it here. Europeans over the decades have done many many things they shouldn't have. So have the Japanese. We should not copy anyone else; but should instead use our own American sovereignty wisely, to figure it out on its own merits for ourselves.

To effectively support HSR, we should stick just to the pros and cons of doing it here. The only pro argument the Europeans give us is the knowledge that it could be done. And that it works - if done well (the French did the TGV very well).

However, it will not be done well in California; because neither Quentin Kopp nor his yes-men minions, know what the hell they are doing - at all. Moreover, contracting law in Californica gives away the store. It will cost 100mil per mile in California when it would be gold plated for only 10mil/mile anywhere else. A 110% tax couldn't raise enough money in California.

But most important: California IS too poor to do much of anything right now - good idea or not! They need to back off and repair/rebuild the bankrupt government first; while restructuring the whole state government; it or it will just go broke again!

Step one has to be repealing absolutely all initiatives (and outlawing them altogether)of the last twenty or so years, that made any form of long standing appropriation from the general fund. The legislature can't balance the budget no matter how high taxes get; because most of the general fund has already been spoken for by various initiatives. The "special interests" get their tribute first; While the legislature gets only the scraps. If we don't repeal them all - now; the state government is headed for total complete collapse! - Anarchy anyone?

Now sadly, all bond initiatives appropriate from the general fund to pay them off (read the fine print). That means us guys! HSR is currently funded (inadequately) by a 10bil bond. To save the state, all such appropriations must go.

As much as I would to see it in my lifetime, I won't. either we give up the bonds (and all other special long standing appropriations as well); meaning we won't be building HSR for many years. Or else the state collapses; also meaning we won't be building HSR for many years - if ever.

OPB