"There isn't public transportation in this country that pays it's own way."

That's true.....but......properly planned and run, they more than pay for themselves many times over.New York City became the financial capital of the world because it was able to transport the hundreds of thousands of people it needed to run the financial services industry from the outer boroughs to the financial center quickly and cheaply. By investing in an extensive mass transit system, they created an environment in which millions of jobs were also created. In return, NY has for years been subsidizing other states, helping them to develop. For instance, for every dollar NY sends to Washington, it only gets back 79 cents. Florida, on the other hand receives a return of $1.02 for each dollar it sends to Washington.

We used to invest and plan for the long term in this country, it's a shame we don't do that anymore

It seems in every state that I have lived in some politician claimed high speed rail would cure that state's ills. and each and every time the taxpayers of that state voted it hands down. Americans like their cars. Americans like the suburbs. american like to travel on their vactions with family by car.
So why is it politicians like speed rail and taypayers do not? Its obviously a rhetorical question.