Here in the Detroit Metro area, the only mass transportation we have is the bus. And it's a BIG PROBLEM. When you talk other mass transit options in Detroit this is what you hear from various sources such as the mayor, city council, county commissioner, corporations, and small business owners:

Impossible!
Will cost $500 billion for a subway; I've checked the numbers.
Rail lines are noisy.
The Motor City is about cars!
Make dedicated bus lanes. (huh?!?!)
Build more highways. (where?!?!)
We'll make cars more fuel-efficient.

So on and so forth. For here in America, certain things like building subways in existing urban areas is IMPOSSIBLE. Well Thailand doesn't know impossible!

Bangkok's long-awaited subway set to transform gridlocked city

By Pornchai Kittiwongsakul, AFP

BANGKOK (AFP) ¿ Thailand's teeming capital may be about to jettison its reputation as one of the most gridlocked cities on earth, as its long-awaited subway system begins trials this week.

The inaugural subway line in Bangkok ¿ one of Asia's most congested cities ¿ goes on public trial for six days beginning April 13.

Millions of frustrated commuters who endure nightmarish daily journeys through the traffic jams are eagerly awaiting the advent of Bangkok's 'Metro' which will free them from the city's fleet of elderly, fume-belching buses.

The inaugural subway line, a $2.5 billion system with 18 stations stretching 12 miles from the northern suburbs to the edge of bustling Chinatown, goes on public trial for six days from Tuesday.

Hundreds of thousands of joyriders will be able to get a taste of the gleaming new system, which is due to open for business in June after nearly a year of delays.

When all the lines are completed ¿ expected to be by the end of the decade ¿ the combined subway and above ground system will stretch for 69 miles at a total cost of about $7.5 billion.

The government funded 80% of the project, which was built by two separate multinational consortiums.

Wow! Alot lower than $500 billion. If you want to see pictures, head to the Bangkok Subway website. It is simply amazing what the Thai have accomplished. They had problems and delays and they worked through then. But it's impossible here.

I'm noticing a disturbing trend in our great nation. For the "greatest country in the world", we sure are quick to say what can't be done. And we don't give it second thought. This great nation with a vibrant history of pioneers, activists, revolutionaries, inventors, and leaders just says too expensive, not practical, and impossible now. Damn it! We can't even have the coolest cell phones? Leave that to Japan and Korea. C'mon!

There shouldn't be NO major urban area in America that can't efficiently move its citizens. This should not be happening in the "greatest nation in the world". Within these borders should be the greatest of everything. But I guess that American spirit is only on display when we are attacked by terrorists and fighting it out in wars (much love to the soldiers in Iraq).

And that's a damn shame...