Jim Loomis said: "It's hard to believe that McCain and the Bushies can't recognize what every other country in the world already knows and has put into practice: rail is the best way to move people quickly, comfortably and efficiently."

No. Actually the opposite has been true, especially in North America. Canada has very limited rail service outside of the Toronto-Montreal corridor. Mexico has all but abandoned intercity rail passenger service, with, AFAIK, no adverse impact on the overall passenger transport infrastructure. Rail passenger service is economical and practical only in small, densely populated countries such as those in Europe. Even there, however, its usefulness is overrated: despite the high cost of gasoline, the vast majority of intercity trips take place by car. Buses, planes and trains account for the rest.

Just as McCain is right on social security, he's right on Amtrak.