Americans driven from their cars by high gas prices have started to return to the railroads, as Amtrak reported a whopping 14 percent increase in ridership from July 2007, through July 2008. Amtrak posted an all time single-month record this July, carrying 2,750,278 passengers, according to the National Association of Railroad Passengers.

The increasing popularity of riding the rails comes along with the release of figures from the Department of Energy showing Amtrak trains to be 17.9 percent more energy efficient than the airlines.

With many of its routes now operating at or above capacity, and bolstered by its increasing ridership and energy efficiency, look for Amtrak to request an increase in federal funding.

Congress created Amtrak in 1971 as an intercity passenger rail service. Never posting a profit, Amtrak has received over $40 billion in federal funding. Betting on profits from its Acela high-speed train service, Amtrak promised Congress in 1997 that it could pay its own way by 2003. No such luck. Amtrak has asked for and been given government subsidies every year since then.

Also See:
U.S. Anti-driving Trend Continues, Could Grow
Amtrak Dying (2005)

The fact, as reported by U.S. Politics Guide Kathy Gill, that a majority of "likely voters" want to see presidential candidates Bob Barr (Libertarian) and Ralph Nader (independent) included in the upcoming presidential debates speaks volumes for the importance of third party candidates in the U.S. political process.

Women's voting rights, the 40-hour work week and Social Security are just a few of the major social reforms first put forward by third political parties and their candidates.

Also See:
Why Third Parties?
Laws that Protect Your Rights as a Voter
Registering to Vote