Awesome letter, Dana! 
 
It's true, we had a better, safer, more energy-efficient transportation  
system in 1920 than we do today. The early 20th century system, as you note, was  
based on rail, not automobiles.
 
The absurdity of our highway-based transport is obvious during a snow or  ice 
storm which would not affect railroad operations, but which sends cars  and 
trucks off the road or into multi-vehicle pileups. 
 
All progress is change, but not all change is progress.
 
Tom Mathews
 
In a message dated 2/16/2009 7:02:51 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

What do we need for  transportation?
Deborah Fink, Ames Feb. 12, 2009
 
Regarding David Swenson's Feb. 5 Iowa View: He's is absolutely right in  his 
criteria for ranking stimulus projects. Infrastructure and schools are  urgent 
and practical targets.

What I missed was any movement beyond the  status quo. We need a certain 
infrastructure of roads and bridges because we  drive cars almost everywhere we 
go. Should we maintain this infrastructure?  

For more on this article go to 
_http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902120342_ 
(http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902120342) 
 
Dana
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