> Bottom line - increased investment is needed for Amtrak to survive


It has always been that way. Congress never once (no matter who was in power) gave it sufficient to actually do the job right; which would be that amount that affords the most cost/revenue efficient level of service; at least two to three times the service level as now (with at least double the employees). If they had, revenues would have by now long exceeded above the rail costs; meaning that only capital subsidies would still be needed. And even "wascally wepublicans" aren't against those.

But Noooooh - we will continue as we are now until hell freezes (and thaws again?) - frittering all our resources away; while the national passenger system remains chronically on the ropes, with no real hope for the future; and while politicians continue to pander their souls to the @#$%&, even as they continue to throw us our pacifying crumbs. But it ultimately will be us that will go to the @#$%& (as will our beloved trains) - in exchange for all that pandering.

Ditto that "no realistic hope", for every other aspect of life as well. But we will (all?) be just peachy happy with that, so long as we get our pacifying pile of crumbs! Just as we have been for well over twenty years now.

That is, until we discover that the free lunch was not free all!

SSDD indeed!