The proposed Houston/Dallas bullet train is testing whether America can still build projects of significance. It& #39;s seemingly a perfect project: big infrastructure, many jobs, 100% privately funded, and in low regulation state. 1/4

However, the train runs through the district, without stopping, of a powerful Republican congressman. His argument: it will travel near and through some private property and the project might get into trouble later and ask for a bailout (even though it has no govt guarantee). 2/4

If these factors can kill any large infrastructure project then we as a country should just give up. We need to admit the regulatory state and NIMBYism to be the victor and stop the charade of talking about building infrastructure. 3/4

"While I strongly support infrastructure that addresses the dynamic growth of TX, transportation improvements need to work for local communities, not against them.” -- Kevin Brady

Sounds identical to the NIMBY arguments in CA if you substitute "housing" for "transportation".
4/4