Billions for Burgers
Oct 29, 2012, 1:05 PM | Updated: 1:05 pm
Most Americans know that the budget deficit stems from reckless spending, but they remain unaware of the wasteful nature of the so called “investments.” For instance, the feds spent $85 million last year and—and $834 million over 10 years—just to subsidize snacks on the government rail system, Amtrak.
In Amtrak snack cars, hamburgers go for $9.75 but cost taxpayers $16 thanks to lavish labor contracts. Does it really make sense to borrow nearly a billion dollars more from China to subsidize burgers and fries for Joe Biden and other Amtrak passengers?
Meanwhile, we’ll waste another $16 billion in the next 10 years to finance useless new rail projects like the unpopular commuter line in Honolulu. With spending up 71 percent more than inflation since 1992, the federal money express has become a runaway train.