Dear Editor,
It never fails to amaze me how the politicians who control the High Speed Rail Authority continue to plunge California on to further financial destruction, just like the captain of the Titanic raced on to the disaster of that great ship.
According to a recent article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, “California continues to run deficits of $20 billion to $25 billion each year and must address hundreds of billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities in years to come. The state is facing severe service cuts and significant tax increases (again), yet it persists in pouring in billions upon billions of dollars to subsidize the train travel of a tiny percentage of the population.”
So, despite lack of a viable financial plan, poor management, insufficient planning, lax oversight and reliance on revenue guarantees for private investors, public concerns about costs, noise, vibration and project design, as well as homes, businesses and farmlands that will be taken by eminent domain to build the system, it continues to move forward – just like The Blob from the classic 1950’s Sci-Fi movie – devouring everything in its path.
This can only mean a very few politicians are going to get very rich off this colossal boondoggle, while those running this monster continue to show their real attitude of “The public be damned …”
James Fennell, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
