The Portland (OR) Oregonian carried an excellent editorial on Dec. 29, '08, "A 'bail-in' instead of a bailout" by Tim Smith suggesting that the Detroit Big 3 accept our tax bailout on condition they switch to creating "nationwide urban networks of streetcars, light rail and other public transit systems." This would bring us back to the excellent public transit we used to have before cars proliferated.

<www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/a_bailin_instead_of_a_bailout.html>

Running the system would also create a lot of jobs.

We could also do with revamping interstate and intercity rail transport since Amtrak is currently a poor substitute for the excellent nationwide rail service we used to have.