Powering America’s new golden age with rail

The United States’ first golden age was forged from steel and steam. It was a time of vision and forward-thinking, and nobody appreciated that idea more than President Abraham Lincoln. With the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, Lincoln sought to unite East and West with a true transcontinental railroad that would connect industry and opportunity and allow expanded economic growth for our country.

Today, that same spirit of ambition and ingenuity can fuel a new American golden age. A powerful rail revival is forming across the nation that could promote a modern golden age focused on economic independence and manufacturing strength.
 
The idea of a transcontinental railroad represents a declaration of self-reliance in the manufacturing and transportation industries. Now, that spirit of self-reliance can be renewed through the proposed merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). A merger that will give America the opportunity to better connect manufacturers, distributors, and consumers, all while lowering the cost of goods, transportation, and the inefficiencies that come with the lack of a single, unified rail network. We must allow this merger to proceed to avoid an increasingly fragile supply chain and decreasing global manufacturing competition.

Read more at Human Events.