Thursday, August 2, 2012

Amtrak Pepsi Crisis

Every civilized country in the world subsidizes its rail system, however the USA had decided that the federally-owned railroad must turn a profit in accordance with the rules of capitalism and this year alone Amtrak lost $84.5 million on its food service which charges $2 for a $.50 can of Pepsi. Yesterday a Florida representative attacked the losses in the Washington Examiner by stating, “Over the last ten years, these losses have amounted to a staggering $833.8 million. It costs passengers $9.50 to buy a cheeseburger on Amtrak, but the cost to taxpayers is $16.15. Riders pay $2.00 for a Pepsi, but each of these sodas costs the U.S. Treasury $3.40.” I have to admit that any business should operate in the black with 400% profit on a can of Pepsi and who knows how much they make on those wretched hockey pucks they call a cheeseburger. Capitalism is failing on Amtrak, but then it's failing everywhere in the world. It's just that the capitalist can't hear the footsteps of doom. Of course no one mentions how heavily the government subsidizes the auto industry to the tune of billions and billions of dollars, because that's good socialism.

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