(JohnMcGrew) writes:

Blame it on NASA. If there is a lack of alternative "heavy lift"
capability, it's only because over 20 years ago, NASA mandated that
all future government payloads be designed around the shuttle, and
all alternatives to the shuttle be scuttled. This was in order to
make the shuttle a "necessity" to America's space program.

This same kind of thinking happens all the time in other areas. For
instance, here in Sacramento, a Light Rail system (dubbed "Late Rail"
by local wits) was installed at hundreds of millions of dollars a few
years ago--in spite of an analysis by the area planning agency that
expanding the bus fleet would be cheaper and provide better service.
What happened after Light Rail was installed?

First, all the outlying express buses--which used to run around the
'burbs picking up people, then make a non-stop run downtown--were
turned into feeder buses for LR, because nobody would ride the damn
thing otherwise. Then people's commute time *doubled* because now you
had to wait for two vehicles, and the LR made stops that the buses
didn't.

Second, just about everybody who rides it regularly has stories of
harrasment and abuse by young or mentally ill riders. Unlike a bus,
where the driver can see what's going on and take action, the LR
trains have a single isolated driver so there's no authority figure to
squelch the perps.

Finally, building the rails and buying cars is hugely expensive and
only possible because Uncle Sugar picks up most of the bill--like the
Shuttle.

Someday this house of cards is going to collapse. The sooner the
better I guess.