Regarding the support of the public for farm subsidies etc. here is
another example. The Washington Post reports in a poll that support for
Amtrak subsidies is very strong - and it is strong regardless of Amtrak
use. Here is the link and some key sentences.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43767-2002Aug4.html
A large majority of Americans favor
continuing federal subsidies to
Amtrak, and a substantial
percentage would increase federal
funding so the ailing passenger
railroad can increase service,
according to a Washington Post
poll.
The survey showed that
pro-Amtrak sentiment was
somewhat stronger in the
Northeast, which already has
extensive train service, but all
sections of the country were solidly
in the Amtrak camp. All age
groups, education levels and
household incomes were in favor of
Amtrak subsidies and the 18-to-34
age group supported the subsidies
overwhelmingly..... It also may help explain
why members of Congress and
other politicians from across the
country have supported Amtrak for
many years, even when their states
or districts have only one train that
passes through in the middle of the
night.
Alex
