[MD] Down the road of mediocrity

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Arlo Bensinger <ajb102 at psu.edu>:

> [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.

I'll buy that. The last great depression in this country was due to the large
outside force of incompetence in government. Many suffered through no fault of
their own. But most survived without government hand outs. Then along came
Lyndo Johnson and his Great Society. What a boondoggle! 

> [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.

Do you think local and state governments should use taxpayer funds to
give special breaks to business? (I like your acknowledgment that it
is business that creates wealth.) 

> [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.

Now that I think about it the role of government in killing passenger service
on the railroads may have been the kicker that got me into the anti-government
business, subsequently reinforced by the horrors perpetrated by totalitarian
regimes. I bow to the Europeans in having the intelligence to preserve and
enhance their rail systems. I can't wait to go to Germany and Switzerland
with a rail pass!  


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