[MD] Down the road of mediocrity

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Platt]
But, I'm sure there's more to the story, like corruption in government.

[Arlo]
I'm sure there is. Usually these things are the result of 
interplaying forces, like hoping to sustain an economy based 
primarily on one resource (copper). My only point was the large 
forces outside the control of the lowly laborer often are more at 
fault for their situation than simple laziness.

[Platt]
Seems to me there is plenty of opportunity in this country for anyone 
willing to work hard. Since Reagan, the economy has been expanding 
and job growth has continued apace.

[Arlo]
I dunno. I spend lots of time in areas hit by economic devastation, 
and there is little opportunity. For many older workers who lose 
their jobs there is often nothing. Supporting development of industry 
(Michigan has been promoting and lobbying for technology and 
manufacturing jobs) is the best solution, that can begin at the state 
and local levels of government. But in the meantime, in areas like 
West Virginia and Kentucky, where there are simply no jobs, and a lot 
of working poor, providing adequate basic health care and food stamps 
is simply better (in my humble opinion) than tossing the "leeches" to 
the wolves.

[Platt]
All our differences melt away by our mutual love of trains!

[Arlo]
As a kid I used to love sitting and watching the long freight trains 
rumble through town, big ones that would take forever to pass. We'd 
watch the switchers and the yard as they moved the engines around. 
Now I remember the slow rocking of the passenger cars as we'd pass 
through mountain gorges and by farms. I wish we had a better rail 
infrastructure, I try to travel by train whenever I can. The nearest 
station is Lewistown, about 30 minutes south-east. One thing I loved 
about Germany (and all of Europe I gather) is the ease at which one 
can travel by train, from any small town to any other, with very few 
delays, waits or even train changes. I think when our government 
leaned to support the road shipping industry over the rails, it made 
a big mistake, one that is likely way to costly to fix at this point.