Choo! Choooooo!

While sitting at a hotel in beautiful downtown Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (Best Western - the nicest one I have ever seen), I came across this Quinnipiac poll from a few weeks ago, and there were a few numbers that were interesting. First, take a look at these three questions:

How satisfied are you with the way things are going on Ohio?

• Very Satisfied 2%
• Somewhat Satisfied 30%
• Somewhat Dissatisfied 39%
• Very Dissatisfied 28%

Do you approve of the way Strickland is handling the economy?

• Approve 39%
• Disapprove 45%

Do you think Strickland will improve education in Ohio?

• Yes 31%
• No 29%
• Do Not Know 40%

Based on this, you would think that Strickland would be in trouble as we head toward next year's election. Despite the support he received when he was elected, and how Democrats have done over the past few years, these numbers seem a little low. Despite the dissatisfaction, Republicans do not appear to be making any advances...

In the 2010 election for Governor, who would you (registered Republicans) select as your candidate?

• Mike DeWine 32%
• John Kasich 27%
• Kevin Coughlin 2%
• Someone Else 2%
• Do Not Know 37%

Who would you vote for Governor?

• Strickland 51%
• Kasich 31% 

• Strickland 50%
• DeWine 34%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Strickland is handling his job?

• Approve 56%
• Disapprove 30%

My favorite question in the poll:

Is the passenger train service between Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Cleveland a good idea?

• Good Idea 64%
• Bad Idea 29%
• Do Not Know 7%

If train service is established, would you use it?

• Very Likely 18%
• Somewhat Likely 28%
• Not Too Likely 14%
• Not Likely At All 39%

So - the train service is a great idea, but no one is going to use it? Sounds like the perfect use of stimulus money. It's a good thing none of it is being wasted.

-RSKnopfJr

Comments

[Amanda]

Funny that people think having a train running but would not use it poses a serious question. If made available by spending millions of dollars to create it are we just spending money to spend it? People, if you think something is a good idea don't you think you should try it?

[burns_girl]

Most people agreed that having a train was a good idea, but I think that if a train was available more people would use it than we realize. Rather than spend gas money and wasting hours people would be able to play games and enjoy the time with their family. Citizens are going to make the trips with or without the train, why not create a more economical form of transportation for the trip?

[swilkins]

I agree that more people would use trains than they realize. In today's economy, people are looking for cheaper means of transportations. Not only do trains save on gas money, they are less costly than plane tickets.

Trains also provide an excellent form of carpooling. Because trains have a greater capacity for passengers than cars do, choosing to ride trains can eliminate many cars traveling through Ohio.

If times continue to be hard, people should look into alternate means of transportations that saves money. I believe trains could be a good choice.

[L.kay]

Even though people said they would not use it, I would like to think positively and believe that they would. Maybe since they do not utilize train transportation now, they do not consider it as an option. Yet, I believe if it was an option, more people would understand its cost and carpooling benefits. If so many people said it was a good idea, then they are at least keeping an open mind to the possibility. Nonetheless, whether it is implemented or not, we cannot just leave things the way they are now because it is obviously not working.

[Emily]

I think that the poll results about the train is pretty acurate. Yeah, its a good idea, but I dont think it'd get used all that much. I dont think that the train would be a good thing to spend money on, especially when as a nation we do not have much of.

[kd]

If the train was an option of transportation, I believe many more people would use it than the poll shows. Driving a car is a waste of gas if another cheaper option is provided.

I also believe people who think the train is a good idea should at least try using it. If the train is going to be built based on the poll, it would be a complete waste of money.

[clarkt10]

If people had the chance to use the trains, i think they would. For one, it would save them gas money, which is needed even though the prices are low for now. However, trains would be slower than cars, so it would probably be a waste of money.

[Brittany]

I think it's a great idea, but i dont think it would get used as much as people think.

[C.J.]

The train may save money and such, but wouldn't we be taking a step back in history while other countries continue to move foward and leave us in the dust?

[Cumminsfan]

If the train was an option of transportation, I believe many more people would use it than the poll shows. Driving a car is a waste of gas if another cheaper option is provided.

I also believe people who think the train is a good idea should at least try using it. If the train is going to be built based on the poll, it would be a complete waste of money.

[PMG]

I believe that more people than we think would welcome the option of taking the train. Not only is it cheaper than having to pay for car insurance, gasoline,repairs, etc., but it is also more comforatable than being packed like a sardine on an airplane.I grew up in a country were everyone uses public transportation. There are Bus and train stops in every major city.You can go anywhere,without being tired from driving by the time you arrive.The only complaints I hear from my family that is still in my home country is when the have to sit in the car for more than 20 minutes to go anywhere. And ok so the train is slower than a car,relax, look out the window and enjoy the ride.

[Raje]

I think that train is good idea because, it part of public transportation. The people love to live on a place that has all kind of public transportation so that make their life easy. There is a lot of benefit to use a train. First save you gas money and help you in the long run. Secondly save our environment. Then it is faster to take public transportation than taking your own vehicle.
Using public transportation will help save the gas that is left on the earth and will also save you gas money.

[charlotte]

I think the train system is a great idea and I believe that it would be utilized by many people.