@lntl @Rentlar Why is how the public ownership of railways could work a hypothetical in the US?
Many countries already do this right now.
Here's a link to the Australian Rail Track Corporation: https://www.artc.com.au/about/
It's owned by the Australian Federal Government, owns rail track infrastructure, but doesn't operate any freight or passenger services itself.
Here's a link to VicTrack: https://www.victrack.com.au/
It's owned by the Victorian state government, owns rail infrastructure in Victoria, but doesn't operate any freight or passenger services itself.
@naught101 @lost_faith It predates the internet.
Back in 2000, a guy named Robert Putnam wrote a book based on his research into why there has been a breakdown in community in America: http://bowlingalone.com/
(If you ever hear someone use the phrase "social capital", they're alluding to his research.)