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This comes to me via Friends of Amtrak: ------------------------------ Dear Amtrak Co-workers:
Earlier today, President Bush sent to Congress his proposed budget for FY ’06. It provides no funding for Amtrak. In contrast, this year we are spending $1.4 billion, of which $1.2 billion is from a federal appropriation to support our operations and capital programs across the country.
The President’s proposal does provide $360 million to the Surface Transportation Board for continued commuter and freight operations on the NEC only after forcing an Amtrak bankruptcy. It also isn’t accompanied by any kind of plan for how Amtrak could continue operations. In a word, they have no plan for Amtrak other than bankruptcy.
Obviously, the proposal is irresponsible and a surprising disappointment. It doesn’t acknowledge all the hard work you’ve done over the past two years to run a tighter and better ship. Our costs are more under control than ever before - that’s quite an accomplishment.
It is critical that reforms and improvements must continue, however. Amtrak’s management is engaged with its board, the Department of Transportation and others for this purpose. That work continues. We are committed to an efficient and productive rail passenger system. The plan to force us into bankruptcy would be counterproductive to this goal.
The President's proposal is only the start of a long legislative process, and we are taking it very seriously. This process has alot of twists and turns, and it always takes six to nine months to sort out. It won’t have any impact through the ’05 fiscal year, but there’s going to be very little cash left at the end of this year. Rest assured that after all we have been through, I am committed to doing everything I can to secure adequate funding for ‘06. We have strong support in Congress and a lot of support across the country.
The best thing that all employees can do is to do their jobs professionally, delivering the highest quality passenger service we know how. If we really care about our passengers, others will care about us. As I travel in the Midwest this week, you can bet that I’m going to be looking at service standards. Stay safe out there, and keep your heads up.
posted
I am happy to see Mr. Gunn tell it how it is, instead of "sugar-coating" it like previous Amtrak presidents might have done. I guess there's really nothing else to do. At least Iraq's railways will be up to snuff after we squander billions more over there. Flame all you want.
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
you guys have it right; as 99% of Americans in the Middle East say, Bush is the worst! But to keep this railroad related, let me ask anyone who may know: how MUCH congressional support amongst Republicans does Amtrak have??? That's the key.
Posts: 171 | Registered: May 2002
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For a national system, the support IS primarily republican. Most of the democrats hardly recognize that there is anything outside the NEC.
Remember, the phrase "National or nothing" was coined by a Texas Republican. Her objective being sure that the national system survived, as survival of the NEC is virtually a given.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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I'm not a big fan of the Democrats, though I agree, Bush is the very worst ever. It's hardly just the Amtrak issue--he has submitted a "budget" that doesn't include the cost of the Iraq war! It's so entirely bogus.
But to get back to Amtrak: Which congressional Democrats do not support a national system? I was of the impression that all of them support Amtrak.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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As for who was the worst president ever, Bush is rapidly decending to that place in my mind. But I still have memories of growing up watching Lyndon Johnson on TV spouting his nonsense about Vietnam. Its a little too early to say, but if Iraq goes the way of southeast Asia circa 1968, then Bush will tie LBJ for worst in my opinion. But the body count isn't high enough....yet. If Iraq starts to turn around, Bush will squeak by as second worst.
------------------ "Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience." -- Hyman Rickover The Del Monte Club Car
Oberstar promises fight over Amtrak subsidies Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press February 9, 2005
WASHINGTON -- The leading House Democrat on transportation issues predicted a "test of wills'' Tuesday over the Bush administration's proposal to eliminate subsidies to Amtrak.
"You're either for Amtrak or you're for letting it expire,'' said Minnesota Rep. Jim Oberstar, the senior Democrat on the Transportation Committee.
Quote from Senator Norm Coleman R Minnesota: "Zeroing out Amtrak and limiting help to only commuter and freight traffic in the Northeast Corridor is not an option, and I don't expect Congress will agree to it.
"We need to keep the trains running here in Minnesota, not just in the Northeast, and that includes the Empire Builder,"
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For all you Bush haters out there, have at it. But for all you Amtrak lovers out there, did you know it was a REPUBLICAN who got Amtrak up and running in 1971, when the freight guys wanted nothing to do with passenger trains? That Republican was Richard M. Nixon, God rest his flawed soul. I know, he wasn't perfect, but he loved America. He resigned in order to spare the country the agony of an impeachment trial that he probably would have lost. And my vote for the "weakest" but not worst, President is Jimmy Carter. Couldn't stand up to our enemies and presided over double digit bad numbers economically.
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Don't fret over Amtrak's impending demise fellow US taxpayers! Rejoice in the fact that your tax dollars are getting spent to rebuild/repair/maintain another Country's domestic rail line- Iraq.
Posts: 23 | From: dallas, tx USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Railroad Bob: For all you Bush haters out there, have at it. But for all you Amtrak lovers out there, did you know it was a REPUBLICAN who got Amtrak up and running in 1971, when the freight guys wanted nothing to do with passenger trains?
Yes, that fact is well known. Nixon was a crooked politician, but he was a competent President. Ford, Reagan and Bush Sr. were also thoughtful men who took time to consider the consequences of their actions and showed due respect for people who disagreed with them. I wish I could say the same for the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
[This message has been edited by Mr. Toy (edited 02-12-2005).]
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Mr. Toy, I can say the current occupant has "tried" to show respect for buffoons like Kennedy, Kerry, Peloski, and others; only to get his head handed to him. The viciousness of their attacks leaves little room for compromise.
That said, and based on 4 years of obstruction, deception, and lies by those same liberals, I think President Bush did an "in your face" budget to wake everyone up. He's been constantly ridiculed for over-spending, so now, he can be constantly ridiculed for under-spending. He's showing our nation what those buffoons really want; other people's money for THEM to spend.
Regarding Amtrak, it is just another "howling" point in the budget. In the end, Amtrak gets funded, there's a public dialog about rail, and, with any luck, we should have some sort of national goal for Amtrak/rail travel.
Yes, I am an optimist {and a realist}.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Mr. Toy- I too must agree with your observation. Our current "leadership" chooses to only believe what they choose to believe (facts mare largley irrelevent to them) and punish all who dare challenge their position. I have never seen a more punative and mean-spirited bunch- They don't want to govern ...they want to rule. Sadly- day after day- it's being revealed how this admin has gotten it all wrong- (no small coincidence that these revelations occur after the election). Our only hope now is to mitigate the damage that this admin is doing. I too am an optimist {and a realist}.
Posts: 23 | From: dallas, tx USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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I offer a helpful suggestion for Amtraks financial woes- Maybe the GSA can assign folks to track down the nearly $9 billion dollars the Bush admin transferred to Iraqi government ministries and is now "unaccounted for" (that's a lotta cash, folks)! - We can use these bucks to subsidize OUR domestic rail line. Posts: 23 | From: dallas, tx USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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