Eastern Railroad Discussion > Legislation not the answer everytime.

Not many of railroading's customers (shippers) would be around or would even want to be around if they had customers and personnel that felt that the remedy for every grievance was suit and government regulation. I know that railroads do err and that they have created many an inequitable situation for some individuals (myself included). This does not make them unique but rather normal as both businesses and individuals go, today.

Their litany, asking the government to force RRs to do this and force the RRs to do that, borders not only a plee to a return to Pre-Stagger's Act days but to (pardon the descriptor) socialism.

It is beginning to appear that things would be better for everyone if Railroading was put under the Justice Department and the STB dissolved. In the process although the RRs could be treated more harshly in some cases they would have a more level playing-field in others.

Railroads should have the right to operate their business, within reason, the way they want to. This is the environmnent their customers and most businesses operate in. If in the end, a "free" market provides an adequate return on investment then competition and more/better jobs will enter the industry. If it doesn't then who wants it? Let the trucks have it. If this is the case, the shippers will really have something to complain about and perhaps the union can create other protected jobs for the contract employees.

Doug