Are we too poor for the bullet train?

In short: probably yes. The state is broke and private investors aren't exactly scrambling for new projects to sink their cash into. Sure, it would be lovely -- 2 1/2 hours from San Francisco to L.A.! -- but it would also be pricey. Prop 1A, on the ballot next week, would provide nearly $10 bill to get the thing started, but the first leg alone would require $33 billion -- and none of that money has been committed. Perhaps this project should be saved for a future economy. [LA Times]