Now, if it comes to rail, we certainly don't have the best rail system in the world.
These subsidies distort priorities, which helps explain why California votes to spend money it doesn't have for a high-speed rail it can't afford.
But Network Rail isn't helping itself.
ECONOMIST: Network Rail's deteriorating performance is under attack
If there's to be high-speed rail linking Glasgow and Edinburgh, it doesn't look so good for the budgets necessary to upgrade rail links between the central belt and both Aberdeen and Inverness.
He said the bridge, though in good condition, couldn't withstand the impact of the rail cars.
"The rail industry doesn't think much of that idea, " commented the BBC's Tom Symonds.
Orb broke from the rail and didn't seem comfortable being surrounded by horses.
The Lib Dems would say Labour promised the rail upgrade but didn't deliver or finance it.
BBC: Nick Clegg interview: deputy PM rails against pessimism
Don't forget this is the second airport rail link they have cancelled.
According to the committee report Wales isn't getting its fair share of investment in rail infrastructure, or getting it fast enough.
"There were a couple of times during my 40-year career where people wouldn't have given very good odds on the private rail system even surviving, " Chairman Goode says.
"Today's announcement isn't just about faster trains - high-speed rail will create up to 30, 000 station-supported jobs in Manchester and help to drive productivity in the region, bridging the economic gap between the North and the South, " he said.
Since congressional Republicans promised to zero out federal funding for high-speed rail, analysts noted, the state wouldn't have enough money to electrify the tracks, let alone build out.
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"Tourism is huge, but also some of the rail lines were washed out and railcars can't get to ships, interrupting the mining industry, " said Amy Norris, 59, a public information coordinator for the city, after finishing up a tour of the Fond du Lac riverfront by Coast Guard airboat.
He also claimed for rail fares to London on days when he didn't go.
And it doesn't even seem to have pressing demand for it, as the rail lobby has other priorities.
We don't want to spoil your fun, but please be responsible and remember that rail staff are there to help you, not to be abused in any way.
But it wouldn't just be an airport - the ambitious plans for a Thames Hub would bring together rail, freight logistics, aviation, energy and its transmission, flood protection as well as regional development.
If high speed rail can effectively feed into long haul air networks and take over short haul routes, it won't just connect the dots in Europe but build alliances with airlines as well.
But Network Rail said it would be "using diversionary routes and putting trains along the lines that they don't normally run on" including a freight line between Knottingley, West Yorkshire, and Doncaster via Goole.
Again, I don't know what message Eric Cantor delivers when he tells you in Washington that it hasn't, but then tells his constituents, gee, I hope we get this grant to build high-speed rail in the district and create jobs.
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