This presidential election was a break through in a many different ways. One of the break throughs was Virginia and North Carolina voting democratic for the first time in a while. This change could become permanent if the democratic leaders help change the demographics of the states for ever.
Now is a great time to increase and rebuild the infrastructure in the States to help rebuild their failing economy. One Infrastructure project that should be undertaken would be highspeed rail into the South. Currently there is highspeed rail from Boston, through New York, to Washington D.C. This should be expanded to Richmond, Virginia and Raleigh and Charlotte North Carolina. This would connect this growing cities with the North East cities rather than other southern cities. The high speed rail could be extended to Greenville, South Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama.
These are all important cities in respect to the recent presidential election. Urban areas are usually more democratic and thus connect these cities the democratic base in these states may grown. This could turn them into battle ground states or turn them into safe democratic states. If you look at the recent voting data most of these cities voted for Obama rather than McCain. One notable exception was Greenville which heavily favoured McCain. But what also is important is that only the central city of these communities voted democratic. By changing the demographics then the whole urban area may become more democratic.
If a rail system was put into place it would be important to reduce the divides between the North and South. This would mean that the trains that leave the southern end of the system should continue all the way to Boston. This would allow people to travel the whole lenght with out changing trains or modes of transit. If there was a change than there would be a feeling of disconnect between the two regions. As it would be easy for the train company to have two different trains that both go to Washington. A Northern and a Southern route, which would not have the desired effect.
This high speed rail corridor could have the effect of changing the boundaries of the BosWash. Not ending at Washington but all the way into North Carolina. This new urban Megalopolis would include over 60 million people, or 1/5 of the USA population. Connecting the New South to the Northeast, changing the political landscape of the USA forever. The landscape where Virgina and North Carolina would strong democratic states.
These are all important cities in respect to the recent presidential election. Urban areas are usually more democratic and thus connect these cities the democratic base in these states may grown. This could turn them into battle ground states or turn them into safe democratic states. If you look at the recent voting data most of these cities voted for Obama rather than McCain. One notable exception was Greenville which heavily favoured McCain. But what also is important is that only the central city of these communities voted democratic. By changing the demographics then the whole urban area may become more democratic.
If a rail system was put into place it would be important to reduce the divides between the North and South. This would mean that the trains that leave the southern end of the system should continue all the way to Boston. This would allow people to travel the whole lenght with out changing trains or modes of transit. If there was a change than there would be a feeling of disconnect between the two regions. As it would be easy for the train company to have two different trains that both go to Washington. A Northern and a Southern route, which would not have the desired effect.
This high speed rail corridor could have the effect of changing the boundaries of the BosWash. Not ending at Washington but all the way into North Carolina. This new urban Megalopolis would include over 60 million people, or 1/5 of the USA population. Connecting the New South to the Northeast, changing the political landscape of the USA forever. The landscape where Virgina and North Carolina would strong democratic states.
