Uncle Sam is handing out a cool 50 billion to the states for high speed rail passenger service with no takers (Maine and Vermont, I think, are still in the loop).  I guess it is easier to cut out something that isn't yet in place than to cut existing services---like Essential Airline Service (the name of the program) to regional and feeder airports.  Also, the definition of High Speed Rail (often confused with light rail and commuter rail) is so vague that it would include anything faster than a skateboard.  What we really need is reliable on-time trains with convenient connections.  (Quick: how do you get from the railroad terminal in Denver to the Greyhound station?  I thought so.)