HSR will benefit the economy

Now that the Senate has upheld the will of the electorate on high-speed rail, let's consider Economics 101.

The shovel that the governor uses to start the project will be bought from Orchard Supply, who will pay a stocker, who will buy gas to obtain food produced by a local farmer. Said farmer will repair his tractor and take his family to Disneyland.

The debt service on the bonds used to finance this project will be paid to me and people like me, who will buy our health care and lavish the rest on our children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. A first-grader today will help design and build a magnificent engine to power and run HSR on opening day.

Every dollar invested in this project will be reinvested a dozen times, generating generous tax revenue and a robust economy. Hoarding money under a mattress will just cause a pain in the back.

My generation was saddled with the debt of the world due to a war where we really did funnel our wealth down a hole. We survived and prospered, as has every later generation in spite of their wars. If high-speed rail never turns a nickel in profit, it will still enrich the state and country many times over.

GENE RICHARDS

Modesto