Obama Hails High-Speed Rail

High-speed rail, a labor-intensive project proposed by President Barack Obama means jobs, helping the environment and achieving energy independence.

The Republicans are going to hate this idea.

From Brian Knowlton in the Times

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday highlighted his ambition for the development of high-speed passenger rail lines in at least 10 regions, expressing confidence in the future of train travel even as he acknowledged that the American rail network, compared to the rest of the world’s, remains a caboose....

'What we need, then, is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st century,' he said, 'a system that reduces travel times and increases mobility, a system that reduces congestion and boosts productivity, a system that reduces destructive emissions and creates jobs.'

And he added, 'There’s no reason why we can’t do this.'

Right on.