by KSmitty
KEN PATRICK wrote:...roads are public, railroads are private...Just think it should be noted, this statement doesn't pass your "straight face test" Roads are public, but trucking companies are private. Railroads pay property taxes, and right of way maintenance costs, locomotive/car maintenance costs and fuel taxes...Trucking companies pay fuel taxes and vehicle maintenance costs. They have a built in advantage in that they can use public roads at little or no cost. If the gov't were to maintain the railroads, or make trucks drive on 100% privately built infrastructure then it would be a fair competition.