Originally Posted by
teddyballgame
EAS has been pronounced dead more times than Generalissimo Francisco Franco.
By administrations and congresses of both parties.
But, as the late Tip O'Neill always said, "All politics is local".
Sure, let's cut gummint spending... but not in my district.
The same dance has been going on with Amtrak for decades. Congress threatens to slash funding to the rail system every fiscal year; until Congressman Bluster is told that it will mean the loss of passenger rail service in his district.
And then somehow, Amtrak gets funded every year.
Exactly. It boils down to the definition of "essential." Essential to what, reelection?
A 30 minute drive vice a 60 minute drive does not constitute "essential" by my reckoning, but a weasel shouting from the roof tops might convince his voters otherwise.