Comment

Comment by Steven D.Upshaw on February 27, 2011 at 4:34pm

I sent Senator Bill Nelson an e-mail voicing my disaproval of the high speed rail system. His responce was that he had spent ten years trying to get backing for this project and he thinks this project will bring thousands of jobs to Florida. He also stated that the federal money would cover most of the initial cost.  I can't help but wonder first why he spent ten years on something that floridians have said they don't want. And second the rail road is union so the jobs it brings here will be union jobs and probably from out of state contractors. Third who will pick up the cost when the federal money is gone and the cost over runs start pooring in and the rail system doesn't support itself.

Comment by Kerry Kelley on February 27, 2011 at 4:30pm

Rail, for moving people ALL THE WAY FROM TAMPA TO ORLANDO? That is so "two centuries ago" as a concept.  At the end of the day, it will only benefit those outside of Florida and probably feed more of my money to unions so they can fund crooked politicians' re-election campaigns.  Just use buses.  Oh, and if you must, make them hybrids.

Comment by Shavaun Wojciak on February 27, 2011 at 4:28pm

Sen Bill Nelson is all for more vote buying federal funding to come His way....It is his way or the highway, and I will not waste any more of my time to try and convince him away from his tyrannical decision making. Vote this bum out! Here is a link to Neal Boortz' commentary on the Money Pit Vote Buying Union Favoring Monorail http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/2011/02/spend-this-money-just-for-jobs...

Comment by Kerry Kelley on February 27, 2011 at 4:19pm

Everyone should also mention the environmental impact that the construction will bring.

 

Really Bill, John, are you that deaf to your constituents or just need the kickback money for your next campaign?  Bill please retire!

Comment by Peggy F. Talbert on February 27, 2011 at 3:30pm

Yes to Lewis Veal's comment- Gov Scott is right- we do not need or want Fed Money to build any high speed rail in the state of Florida.  After all, Fed Money is our money and we are broke. Tell Senator Nelson to listen to the people of Florida, not to Obama

Comment by Lewis Veal on February 27, 2011 at 3:16pm

The only Democrat I ever trusted was Rep Charlie Bennett and he smudged his good record at the end of his service by succumbing to the lure of Federal money for Jacksonville's "People Mover."  Miami warned Jax not to do it because their own had been a costly white elephant, but to no avail.

 

Now, while Jacksonville's budget is in the red, it must continue to operate its People Mover at a loss of $5 million per year because to shut it down would mean having to pay back the original $100 million of Federal seed money.  It is the very definition of a "white elephant gift."

 

High Speed Rail will be the same virtually riderless boondoggle as the People Movers, but on a state rather city scale.  Its primary appeal will be to tourists who may take a "fun ride" before renting an automobile to get around in Florida..  To make any practical sense at all, its proponents will argue for statewide expansion, but each extension will only expand the operating and maintenance losses, throwing good money after bad just like Jacksonville's and Miami's money pit People Movers.

 

Initial HSR jobs will be short term and many will go to out-of-state contractors because its initial construction will be a Federal Project that is bid on nationwide.  The HSR cars will likely be of foreign manufacture (France, Italy, Japan) as are the subway cars in most US cities.  Required operators will be few and maintenance work will likely be performed by a few specialty companies that may or may not be Florida-based.

 

Proponents, including Sen Nelson and Reps Mica and Brown, claim "private interests" will pay any cost overruns and assume operational and maintenance costs, thereby relieving Florida taxpayers of responsibility for future costs and losses.  How many "private interests" are willing to keep feeding a white elephant?  No private business can long remain in business if it accepts endless losses.  No, the only "private interests" tha

Comment by Eric Ingram on February 27, 2011 at 3:14pm

I would write the illustrious Mr. Nelson, but I have gotten tired of receiving condescending contradictory responses to my communications essentially telling me what an ignoramus I am for not agreeing with the senator's position on whatever issue I have chosen to write him about. I wish he would pick somewhere else to live after we fire him rather than return here to Florida that way I would not have to risk having to run into him in public with my children in tow. There is simply some language I would rather they didn't learn from me. Mr. Nelson has been the final factor in bringing me to the conclusion that we really need to go back to having the state legislature appoint these jackals so at least we can recall them from D.C. and not have to wait out their term to fire them if they do not act in the best interests of both the state and the nation.

Comment by Joseph Theodore Troupe on February 27, 2011 at 1:17pm

Tell them to put the high speed rail between  Washington and San Francisco so Nancy Pelosi can have a quick ride home in comfort.  Putting a short high speed rail between Orlando and and Tampa or across any part of the State of Florida will, most certainly, be a waste of money.  Most everyone drives that route in a short span of time anyway with two interstates crossing at Miami and Daytona.

This high speed rail is another boondoggle to richly reward a relatively few, and will cost Florida taxpayors a fortune over the years.  There is no benefit for any part of the State for this rail.

Comment by James S. Meeks on February 27, 2011 at 12:51pm

Even if Florida is off the hook for construction of the high speed rail we will still have to pay for the operation of the system. It will never turn a profit so will have to be subsidised by florida taxpayers.

Comment by tamara stephenson on February 27, 2011 at 12:19pm

there is no referendum against high speed rail.  in fact, the 2009 florida legislature (republican controlled) passed rail laws.  many of those legislatures were voted back into office.  Haridopolus voted for it and is now senate president.  While the constitutional amendment was repealed, i would argue that Rick Scott being voted in as governor with 49% of the vote is not a referendum against high speed rail.

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