Does Passenger Rail Cost Too Much?

We don't hear much right now from legislators and economists who expect Amtrak to be a money-making operation. Strange isn't it how no other mode of transportation is expected to return a profit? Let me know if you know any interstate highway or passenger airport that's turning a profit.

Last year (2008) the federal subsidy to Amtrak was $1.4 Billion. Highways received more money in 2008 than Amtrak has received over its entire lifetime.