What do you think is the most effective way to turn this idea into real policy? Add your suggestions here for how you think we should run an advocacy campaign to advance the idea – including the overall strategy, messaging, targets, and tactics.

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1. 

   For Passenger Rail to Work, We must end the regulations that make it too expensive.
   
   http://www.ebbc.org/rail/fra.html
   
   Federal Railway Regulations cause:
   
   The Acela Disaster - US High Speed Train Too Heavy.
   
   Commuter Rail - Trains must be heavy enought to compete with freight.  Even where there are no freight trains.  Trains too heavy and waste fuel.
   
   Horn Blowing - FRA Rules make commuter trains on old freight tracks too noisy.
   
   Hills and Curves - Faster Tilting Trains from Japan not allowed.  US trains too slow to attract riders from cars and planes.
   

   Suggested by Steve Redlich on 01/19/2009 @ 04:47PM PT

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2. 

   I just joined Change.org a couple of days ago when it was a citation in the local food co-op enewsletter.  I wish I had seen it sooner.  My idea (for which I was too late) was directly related to this.  Obama has talked about creating a works program similar to the TVA and the CCC from the 1930's.  I thought it would be great for those workers to build the infrastructure for a new rail system.  If we can go to the moon and send a robot to mars, we ought to be able to transport ourselves at least around our own country in a fast and environmentally more positive way than the millions of cars on the roads.
   
   Sarah

   Suggested by sarah cochran on 01/17/2009 @ 03:13PM PT

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3. 

   No single issue can bring about more change than concentrating then nation's focus on expanding our existing rail infrastructure and building new rail thru-ways all across our country.  Aside from the obvious and highly desireable goal of a drastic lowering of dependence on foreigh oil, the air we breath is cleaner as a result of less pollution, we are forced to walk more and are healthier because of it.  We are afforded the opportunity to meet our neighbors as we commute to work in cities that become less sprawling, resulting in more efficient land use and resulting room for locally produced foods.  We no longer are dependent on the automobile but current auto workers are employed as they build the rail cars and rail service industries.  Trains can easily use natural gas in the place of diesel and can gradually be converted to using electricity.

   Suggested by gail poole on 01/17/2009 @ 09:56AM PT

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4. 

   Let's face it.. a paved over world does not a functional biosphere (life support system) make.  We started the problem, let's lead the solution.
   
   We need a national Transnet.  Pods on magnet rails. (t-rails and tunnels)  that speed up to join into trains on the long distance trunks where speeds of over 300 mph would be reached.  Would elliminate highways deaths, cut the cost of the transportation of goods to fractions, cut the energy we use to fractions and elliminate the our dependence on foreign oil, cut the cost of road maintenance and our need for disposable cars, etc. etc.
   
   Sure all revolutions are hard.  But this is one that is worth it on a scale that is hard to immagine.

   Suggested by Rich Lennon on 01/17/2009 @ 03:19AM PT

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5. 

   Hi,
   
   I live in the greater New Haven, Connecticut area, and I know that years ago, the city buried the lines and tracks for the cable cars to blacktop the roads. 
   
   Why not renew the mass transit system and instead of diesel buses, let's bring back the cable cars?  That would bring people back into the cities, reduce individuals alone in cars and increase mass transportation for everyone, not to mention making it easier to get around the city.
   
   Thanks and enjoy the change of administrations!  I know I surely will.
   
   All the best,
   Mary K. Snyder
   Hamden, CT
   

   Suggested by M S on 01/16/2009 @ 11:33PM PT

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