Let's not forget that Amtrak is a Quasi government entity. Mostly private with some federal rules. Without those rules they could get away with customer abuse. Let's not forget The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 is a United States federal law that was designed to regulate the railroad industry, particularly its monopolistic practices.[1]
Here is a lawsuit filed by Public Citizen (which is described by corporate media as "left leaning" to disparage it) that got little or no cable news coverage.
Beginning in 2019, Amtrak amended the terms and conditions for its passenger rail transportation services to include an arbitration provision that forces individuals into a private justice system that has no judge or jury, has limited right to appeal and is not bound by precedent. Amtrak’s arbitration provision states that it is “intended to be as broad as legally possible” – applying not only to individuals who buy tickets, but to “family members, minor passengers, colleagues and companies” for whom tickets are bought.
The provision specifies a litany of claims that cannot be heard in court, including negligence, gross negligence, disfigurement, wrongful death, medical and hospital expenses, discrimination and failure to accommodate an actual or perceived disability. The clause also prohibits class actions.............................................................................Amtrak, which began operating in 1971, is an institution of the federal government that must comply with the U.S. Constitution and acts only pursuant to authority delegated by Congress. Congress directed Amtrak to provide passenger rail services to America’s travelers; it did not authorize Amtrak to force travelers to waive their right to go to court if they are injured by Amtrak, the lawsuit says.
Yet complete privatization efforts have been going on for quite some time and continue to do so.
https://www.ble-t.org/pr/news/headline.asp?id=3873
The vehicle for this is corporate owned media who have reduced discussions to only three criterion:
1. WORDS - what someone said, slogans, grouping people into categories. Almost all American media is focused on Words. Take a look at the articles, take notes in front of the TV. See for yourself
2. TONE - How to read into what someone said if you want to put words in their mouthes.
3. OPTICS - statues, facial expressions, gestures, etc
What's missing? SUBSTANCE. In 1984 we had 50 independent news organizations. They have been consolidated into roughly six who have dumbed down the conversations into the three categories I just mentioned so that a politician in America today cannot even run for office without a slogan. If it isn't simplistic, it isn't newsworthy. People are now categorized and grouped by what they SAY and you can't tell the person grouping them otherwise. Even with the ability to do more research today than in the fifties, sixties, and seventies thanks to the internet people are somehow less informed and at each other's throats much more. Who benefits? Those who already have everything that own the media, the courts, and our politicians.
Rant over.
John
