Episode

7/8 James McCommons: The Embattled Future of Passenger Rail Service

July 8, 2015

Professor James McCommons, author of  Waiting on a Train: The Embattled Future of Passenger Rail Serviceexplains the history of political compromise that created Amtrak. Why Amtrak will always need public subsidies. Why Amtrak can’t be profitable. Why so few Americans have used train service. When government stopped supporting the railroads. Why politicians attack Amtrak. What we need to do in order to reform and grow the American rail system. Why passenger rail trains run late. Why Republican governors like Scott Walker and Rick Scott killed major rail projects in 2009. Why there is hope for expanded rail in California. And what are the best train lines to ride in the country.

A Tennessee man arrested for plotting a terrorist attack a Muslim community and is released to his family members.

On The Fun Half: Rand Paul thinks the more taxes you pay the more of a slave you are. The EU will not budge on Greece. Can Bernie Sanders attract more voters in the Democratic Primary. How much of an impact can individual teachers really have. Also your calls and IMs.

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