If the citizens of the great state of Florida believe the merits of a high-speed rail link between a few major metro areas in the state is compelling on its own merits, they will raise the money and build it and subsidize it's ongoing operating deficits annually with an ever increasing tax burden.....if they do not, it's likely that it was only a good idea because it was somebody else's money.....that tells me all I need to know.....I will await future reports on its progress.....
When is the last time any state raised 2 billion dollars for a public project.....especially one with very high unemployment in a post-recessionary time after a deep recession like we have just experienced? Did the people of Tenn. fund the dam project and the TVA after the Great Depression or did the feds? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Valley_Authority
So connecting two cities in Florida together by rail is relevant exactly how to the vast interstate network of power generation by the TVA? C'mon man, Florida already has almost $30 billion in debt outstanding.....adding another measly $2 or so - just 7% - is nothing for this crackerjack project that will generate more than enough income to pay for itself many times over as you yourself have suggested......
Sid beat me to the punch but I will go a step further. Not as much codling, but apathetic attitudes of parents that have hit bottom with their hands out and making more babies to get a higher welfare check is a major part of the product coming out of schools today. When the parents no longer care, what motivation do the kids have?
Isn't that just a little bit cliche? Or do you really think that kids in this country are just a mere product of that strategy? Like I said....good luck to this misguided governor of Florida who is of the mistaken impression that he can undermine the already mediocre Florida public school system and yet still attract large corporations to relocate here. Large corporations have typical American employees who typically have kids....children... whom parents usually care about especially when it comes to a quality education.