What's the top issue you'd like to see Biden Admin tackle in first term? (2 Viewers)

[NoPartyMike]

Caveat, outside of Covid. Mine would be criminal justice reform, inclusive of ending the war on drugs.

 

[Saintman2884]

Precisely. As my example shows - any 2-3 hour flight can easily be replaced with high speed trains with no loss of time and will offer greater comfort.

If we're emphasizing mass public transit infrastructural construction on more from a region-to-region! level, that's something more feasible, and perhaps cost-efficient, and equitable in terms of working on these projects in stages. A more incremental, building blocks sort of approach in terms of ensuring efficiency, quality and quantity works better and is more realistic, IMHO, to achieve.

 

[Dragon]

Sorry I don't really see the relevance of our viking history when in comes to modern transportation. If you talk geographical challenges I can asure you as a nation with more than 500 islands, many connected by train, we do understand those challenges.

We have connected the mainland with our main island (Sealand) and connected Sealand with Sweden.

We're also about to embark on building the longest underwater rail tunnel in the world

https://femern.com/en

 

[Dragon]

If we're emphasizing mass public transit infrastructural construction on more from a region-to-region! level, that's something more feasible, and perhaps cost-efficient, and equitable in terms of working on these projects in stages. A more incremental, building blocks sort of approach in terms of ensuring efficiency, quality and quantity works better and is more realistic, IMHO, to achieve.

That is usually the way it is done in Europe Nothing is build overnigth...
But there is a masterplan which is coordinated by the EU and the local train companies within the different nations

 

[Saintman2884]

Sorry I don't really see the relevance of our viking history when in comes to modern transportation. If you talk geographical challenges I can asure you as a nation with more than 500 islands, many connected by train, we do understand those challenges.

We have connected the mainland with our main island (Sealand) and connected Sealand with Sweden.

We're also about to embark on building the longest underwater rail tunnel in the world

https://femern.com/en

Would this proposed underwater rail tunnel be modeIed around the Euro-Tunnel built and connecting Dover, England to Calais, France from late 80's-early 90's in terms of the size, costs, building materials, manpower, engineers, labourers, how many regional Scandivinavian, foreign engineering construction firms will be involved in this massive public works/engineering project. I would imagine the Danish or other Scandivinavian-related nations governments will have a massive regulatory, oversight role?

If you have some extra time to kill, I'd highly recommend watching an old History Channel show called Modern Marvels episode that discusses the historical background of proposed underwater canals or tunnels between England and France dating back to the early 1780's, the initial political discussions or informal conversations like PR tours, constituent discussions that were done to win over British public opinion in early 1980's and finally the long, drawn out, grinding industrial engineering challenges both British and French workers endured to cut through hundreds of miles of rock gravel, masses of hardened limestone under the English Channel. It's a very educational, eye-opening show and its one of the few modern, massive international engineering feats as it relates to creating a canal, dam, that effects international trade, commerce, cargo hauls like how Panama Canal was undertaken and took nearly 10 years to complete just before the outbreak of World War I

 

[SaintForLife]

Caveat, outside of Covid. Mine would be criminal justice reform, inclusive of ending the war on drugs.

Criminal justice reform and ending the war on drugs are high up on my list.

I would also add getting us out of the ridiculous 20 year occupation of Afghanistan, but it already looks like that ship has sailed. Seller said "More than half of the people in the study group take money from military contractors or work for an organization that does. Lockheed & BAE Systems board members are on the group’s “leadership” committee. These are obvious conflicts of interest."



Your average senator took in $63,592 in campaign cash from defense contractors from 2019-20, and no candidate received more war industry financing over this period than Joe Biden, hauling in $2,421,336 (data via Open Secrets).

It's no surprise that we never learn our lessons from all the wars and military engagements that go badly. Both parties are in bed with the military industrial complex. I was even surprised to learn Adam Schiff was too although it explained his obsession with Russia.

Who Is Adam Schiff?

Resistance leader? Not really. Democratic congressman Adam Schiff personifies the link between foreign policy hawks and deep-pocketed defense contractors.

www.jacobinmag.com

Luckily Biden's Secretary of Defense doesn't have any ties to the military industrial complex...never mind


Austin was on the board of Raytheon. Hopefully everyone is ready for Afghanistan to not end under Biden and for us to continue to involve ourselves militarily to enrich the military industrial complex.

Biden Defense Secretary Nominee Lloyd Austin Comes Under Fire for Industry Connections

static.theintercept.com

 

[Dragon]

As I mentioned - we already have one 5 miles underwater tunnel connecting island of Sealand ( Copenhagen) with jutland and mainland Europe)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Belt_Fixed_Link

And as a matter of fact - if it wasnt for some issues with flooding the 5 miles tunnel would have opened in 1993 - (before the chunel)

 

[Roofgardener]

As I mentioned - we already have one 5 miles underwater tunnel connecting island of Sealand ( Copenhagen) with jutland and mainland Europe)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Belt_Fixed_Link

And as a matter of fact - if it wasnt for some issues with flooding the 5 miles tunnel would have opened in 1993 - (before the chunel)

All impressive stuff, Dragon. Though I might uncharitably point out that a key function of an underwater tunnel IS to keep the water on the OUTSIDE ?

Hence saying that the tunnel would have been completed before the Chunnel if it wasn't for the floods might be SLIGHTLY missing the point ?

 

[Dragon]

All impressive stuff, Dragon. Though I might uncharitably point out that a key function of an underwater tunnel IS to keep the water on the OUTSIDE ?

Hence saying that the tunnel would have been completed before the Chunnel if it wasn't for the floods might be SLIGHTLY missing the point ?

Well it wasn't the tunnel that leaked or flooded as such but a weakness in the seabottom that submerged one of the drilling machines...

It was a geological anomaly which did not show up on any of the geological surveys.

 

[wardorican]

It's about 1,100 miles from Seattle to Los Angeles. A flight costs $215 and takes 3 hours. A business traveler can board a 6am flight and attend a 10am meeting, then return that night and be home by 10pm.

A train would have to average 350mph and cost that same $215 to compete.

I don't see that happening in my lifetime.

Also factor in time in the airport, security, weather delays, and getting from the airport to your meeting.

I'll use the South Shore line as an example. it goes from South Bend, IN, to Michigan City, IN, Gary, IN, then eventually to Chicago. It lets you off down town, right by Millennium Park.

Towns within a 20 min drive all can easily get to those stations, and you just board. I know Amtrack has some level of security, but it's not the same as air travel. It's a lot easier to drive and park to these stations. Also, in the case of Chicago, you're right down town. Almost 50 various companies are within a 2-3 block walk to the high rises there.

 

[SaulGoodmanEsq]

Criminal justice reform and ending the war on drugs are high up on my list.

I would also add getting us out of the ridiculous 20 year occupation of Afghanistan, but it already looks like that ship has sailed. Seller said "More than half of the people in the study group take money from military contractors or work for an organization that does. Lockheed & BAE Systems board members are on the group’s “leadership” committee. These are obvious conflicts of interest."



Your average senator took in $63,592 in campaign cash from defense contractors from 2019-20, and no candidate received more war industry financing over this period than Joe Biden, hauling in $2,421,336 (data via Open Secrets).

It's no surprise that we never learn our lessons from all the wars and military engagements that go badly. Both parties are in bed with the military industrial complex. I was even surprised to learn Adam Schiff was too although it explained his obsession with Russia.

Who Is Adam Schiff?

Resistance leader? Not really. Democratic congressman Adam Schiff personifies the link between foreign policy hawks and deep-pocketed defense contractors.

www.jacobinmag.com

Luckily Biden's Secretary of Defense doesn't have any ties to the military industrial complex...never mind


Austin was on the board of Raytheon. Hopefully everyone is ready for Afghanistan to not end under Biden and for us to continue to involve ourselves militarily to enrich the military industrial complex.

Biden Defense Secretary Nominee Lloyd Austin Comes Under Fire for Industry Connections

static.theintercept.com

If only the GOP would stop appointing Supreme Court Justices who give us gems like Citizens United.

 

[zztop]

It's about 1,100 miles from Seattle to Los Angeles. A flight costs $215 and takes 3 hours. A business traveler can board a 6am flight and attend a 10am meeting, then return that night and be home by 10pm.

A train would have to average 350mph and cost that same $215 to compete.

I don't see that happening in my lifetime.

I for one welcome our hyperloop overlords. It seems really cool (if) it ever gets built out more. Last I read there were going to be some built around Denver. I think it goes..500? 700 MPH. I'm not much of a airplane traveler (uncomfortable seats, cramped leg room etc), but I would totally sit in a vacuum tube and be shot across the country (kind of like those pneumatic tubes you see outside of banks and such)

 

[wardorican]

Criminal justice reform and ending the war on drugs are high up on my list.

I would also add getting us out of the ridiculous 20 year occupation of Afghanistan, but it already looks like that ship has sailed. Seller said "More than half of the people in the study group take money from military contractors or work for an organization that does. Lockheed & BAE Systems board members are on the group’s “leadership” committee. These are obvious conflicts of interest."



Your average senator took in $63,592 in campaign cash from defense contractors from 2019-20, and no candidate received more war industry financing over this period than Joe Biden, hauling in $2,421,336 (data via Open Secrets).

It's no surprise that we never learn our lessons from all the wars and military engagements that go badly. Both parties are in bed with the military industrial complex. I was even surprised to learn Adam Schiff was too although it explained his obsession with Russia.

Who Is Adam Schiff?

Resistance leader? Not really. Democratic congressman Adam Schiff personifies the link between foreign policy hawks and deep-pocketed defense contractors.

www.jacobinmag.com

Luckily Biden's Secretary of Defense doesn't have any ties to the military industrial complex...never mind


Austin was on the board of Raytheon. Hopefully everyone is ready for Afghanistan to not end under Biden and for us to continue to involve ourselves militarily to enrich the military industrial complex.

Biden Defense Secretary Nominee Lloyd Austin Comes Under Fire for Industry Connections

static.theintercept.com

I mostly do agree here.

However, Let's be clear about political funding. Any presidential candidate is going to haul in more than any Senator.

It looks like Biden got about $3.1 million from Defense for his campaign and Trump got around $2.3 Million. Both totals are pretty much small potatoes compared to their totals. Trump raised just shy of 800 Million (not counting PACS) and Biden raised about 1 Billion.

 

[porculator]

Ugh.
Dammit, Pete.
America has spoken loud and clear on the subject of trains. Those words were "Eff trains."
Yes, trains are better, more efficient, faster, all those nifty things.
BUT
Trains absolutely require public transit on both ends. Your basic traveler needs to not have to drive to the station and pay for parking. He needs to get to his final destination without renting a car or being forced to Uber.
We don't have that.
America's 'last mile' public transit is for shirt. It's utterly pathetic in every city but a few.
New York; maybe Philly, Chicago and Frisco.
Sure's hell not L.A. Not Portland or Seattle or San Diego. Not Dallas, Houston, Miami, Denver, etc.
Give up on the freakin' trains and fix our rickety bridges and dams. Those things are killing people right now. Get that 3rd world crap up to snuff and we'll talk about trains, ok?

Biden is like Amtrak's #1 customer, and because of the obvious environmental benefits, I figured trains would be a priority. And there is definite interest in high speed trains on the coasts.
But California's struggles with the bullet train should definitely be a warning. They are spending decades and billions upon billions to complete the easiest part of the route, with no clear plan to finish it. I don't know if its just too late to reasonably secure the right-of-way needed for high speed rail or what, but having ignored passenger rail for the last 70 years sure seems to have screwed us.

 

[SaulGoodmanEsq]

I mostly do agree here.

However, Let's be clear about political funding. Any presidential candidate is going to haul in more than any Senator.

It looks like Biden got about $3.1 million from Defense for his campaign and Trump got around $2.3 Million. Both totals are pretty much small potatoes compared to their totals. Trump raised just shy of 800 Million (not counting PACS) and Biden raised about 1 Billion.

It's also a bizarre argument for SFL to make because I thought he was a libertarian and surely a libertarian wouldn't care how much money corporations spend on campaigns.

 

[Saintman2884]

If only the GOP would stop appointing Supreme Court Justices who give us gems like Citizens United.

If you consider the opposing side's logic, from a right-leaning perspective I'm pretty sure they complain about past liberal SCOTUS justices being appointed for lifetime jobs on decisions they disagree with or Dems haven't used political ideology as a sort of litmus test to determine which of the 2-3, or 4 possible judges they feel will likely advance their agendas, judicially.

Both parties do it and Citizens United aside, it's a bit disingenuous and God forbid, holier-than-thou to say just because you and I'm sure many others disagree with Citizens United 2010 decision, their wouldn't be right-wing or conservative politicians who wouldn't potentially disagree if some liberal-leaning SCOTUS voted to strike down the Heller case on gun ownership/restrictions, or a lower-court case involving the death penalty or whether affirmative action policies are discriminatory or cause too many negative, unintended consequences.

 

[SaintForLife]

I mostly do agree here.

However, Let's be clear about political funding. Any presidential candidate is going to haul in more than any Senator.

It looks like Biden got about $3.1 million from Defense for his campaign and Trump got around $2.3 Million. Both totals are pretty much small potatoes compared to their totals. Trump raised just shy of 800 Million (not counting PACS) and Biden raised about 1 Billion.

He wasn't comparing senators and Biden. He said Biden received the most from the defense contractors of all the Presidential candidates:

Your average senator took in $63,592 in campaign cash from defense contractors from 2019-20, and no candidate received more war industry financing over this period than Joe Biden, hauling in $2,421,336 (data via Open Secrets).

 

[wardorican]

He wasn't comparing senators and Biden. He said Biden received the most from the defense contractors of all the Presidential candidates:

Your average senator took in $63,592 in campaign cash from defense contractors from 2019-20, and no candidate received more war industry financing over this period than Joe Biden, hauling in $2,421,336 (data via Open Secrets).

I know what it said. But how it is presented makes Biden's total look alarming, so I looked at the Open Secrets data and applied some context. What's wrong with that?

 

[SaintForLife]

I know what it said. But how it is presented makes Biden's total look alarming, so I looked at the Open Secrets data and applied some context. What's wrong with that?

Context is fine. What do you think about all the people in Biden's cabinet with connections to people who profit off of war and military engagements?