Issue Suggestion: Banning Railroads?

[Aleu]

Name:
Banning Railroads?

Validity:
Unknown

Description:
A recent accident on one of @@NAME@@'s major railroad lines prompts national discussion after chemicals spilled into a major river. This river flows through one of the habitats of @@NAME@@'s @@ANIMAL@@ populations, and the spill threatens both @@ANIMAL@@'s and the local populace.


Option 1:
"I think we should ban railways all together!" shouted esteemed ecologist @@RANDOMNAME@@. "This accident shows that the local railways don't care enough about the environment to protect our rivers and natural habitats from such spills!"

Option 2:
"Come on, lets be reasonable about this." says @@RANDOMNAME@@ of the Transportation Safety Board. "Our investigators looked into this, and it turns out that the railway lacked the money to properly maintain their equipment in the area, including tracks. I think you should fund @@NAME@@'s railway repair services and get them back on their feet."

Option 3:
"I think, at the least, the railroad should fund the cleanup operations. I also agree with the Transportation Safety Board, you should help them repair some of their equipment, and in return they can pay higher taxes." Says economic writer @@RANDOMNAME@@.

Option 4: "It was an ACCIDENT you fools! The railroad should get paid compensation for their loss!" spouts citizen @@RANDOMNAME@@.

[Panageadom]

Why does this set of arguments apply specifically to railroads, and not to any other form of commercialised industry?

[Aleu]

Why does this set of arguments apply specifically to railroads, and not to any other form of commercialised industry?

Once, I saw an issue that applied specifically to a monorail system, this is somewhat inspired by that, and somewhat inspired by a wreck that happened in my hometown in 2005. It sparked many environmental questions and other issues, such as "Should the railroad be forced to pay for damages" and similar arguments.



So I thought, "Hey, why not see if I can make it an issue of it on NationStates?"

[Onora]

I understand the issue is sparked by the spill but perhaps some old arguments by Frank Norris in The Octopus and other works against the railroads may inspire more ammunition against them. The level of control they had in their hay days were a matter of great concern for many who feared the people would soon be unable to resist the railways who would monopolize inter-state trade and travel. I am sure a quick look at these early arguements should help to form another option of better form your current issue plan.