The existing tunnels are at capacity. The new tunnels would have relieved the congestion. But we can't have that, can we? If everyone's riding the train, who'd notice that the entrance to the GWB was blocked?

When will the idea that Republicans can't be trusted to build, expand, or maintain physical infrastructure sink in with the electorate? Amtrak's decaying rail network (and the aging of its passenger coaches) and the older US highway bridges of the Northeast are only the tips of the icebergs of impending collapse.

If the electorate chose their candidates to represent their interests instead of voting for candidates who (A) play on their fears or (B) appear the most photogenic, the country would be ready to re-enter the first rank of the world's advanced industrialized countries.

At this point I have little patience not only for Republicans, but the apathetic voters who don't pay attention, the idjits who treat elections like American Idol contests, and the alienated centrists who have woken up to the fact that Republicans don't represent their interests yet continue to believe the swill put out by Faux Noise network and other right-wing propaganda organs.

To tel you how horrible the Republicans have become with infrastructure, I almost miss Trent Lott and Kay Bailey Hutchison, neither of whom could be considered progressive, but supported Amtrak more than the current bunch of Republicans.