I listened to the WOSU radio discussion today about the proposed passenger rail system for Ohio. Moderator, Ann Fisher, interviewed Stu Nicholson, spokesperson for the Ohio Rail Development Commission, Patricia Quinn from the New England Rail Passenger System, and Jon Husted, GOP state senator for Kettering (but he resides in Upper Arlington).
When moderator, Ann Fisher suggested that Husted was "opposing" the rail system, Husted said, "Opposing is too strong a word. I'm worried about the debt."
(Isn't it amazing that the Republicans just noticed the debt! Our country went from a surplus at the end of the Clinton administration to over a trillion dollar national debt at the end of the Bush administration. Do Republicans have any idea how that happened????)
Husted complained that the posted train schedule was inconvenient. Husted then said if he wanted to go to a Reds game, he could leave his home in Kettering, but he'd have to wait until the next day to return to Kettering. At that point, I was laughing hysterically in my kitchen. Husted doesn't live in Kettering!!! If he were going to a Reds game, he'd leave his home in Upper Arlington instead of the abandoned bungalow in Kettering.
Ann Fisher then asked Husted if he could provide a model of a similar passenger rail system that had failed. Husted said he could not provide an example. Duh!
Stu Nicholson also provided ways that the rail system would create jobs and raise revenue--- advertising, businesses in/near train stations, sponsorships, hotel/motel growth, etc.
When asked to provide his examples for how to raise revenue, Husted had nothing.
If you've been outside the states, you are well aware of the passenger rail systems in other countries. Each train station has shops (newspaper stands, drug stores, coffee shops, snack bars, etc.), and a thriving taxi/bus line. Sandwiches and refreshments are sold on the trains. People use the trains to visit relatives, go on vacation, visit friends, go to meetings (catch up on paper/computer/e-mails w/internet access), catch a concert, go shopping in another city, etc.
The passenger rail system could provide thousands of jobs and huge business growth for Ohio. Why is Husted against people having jobs and the start of small businesses?