Clearly what works in the rest of the civilized world (nationalized health care, nationalized high-speed rail, etc.) cannot compete with America's "exceptionalism" - note spellcheck doesn't like that word, or spellcheck...

Your argument is flawed. You are assuming door-to-door rail transit. People who fly to a destination have to arrange for local transport - be it taxis, rentals, local sales reps, or friends & family. If the point of highspeed rail is to replace airplanes and not, per se, for local commuters, then the extra needed 'to invest in more than the track' would be a parking garage at the terminus with car rental companies. Heck, make it extremely competitive - make the termini the airports!! (Along with the city centres' "Grand Central" station or equivalent, of course.)

...makes sense, if they only count half the electorate why pay full price. FEI, Diebold CEO was Ohio state campaign chair for Bush in 04 and I think in 2000. Privately declared at Rep functions, "I will do whatever it takes to make sure Bush wins Ohio and the Presidency." Mission Accomplished in 2004. Kerry shoulda challenged Ohio results - Rolling Stone expose showed vote fraud/disenfranchisement was well over his losing margin.