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The US Congress is increasingly funding transportation from the apparently bottomless well of budget deficits - fuel tax receipts covering barely a half of the socalled Highway Trust Fund. All in the name of 'Job creation.' Nothing on the jobs destroyed by the capital market effects of unlimited federal borrowing and ballooning debt.

But now we find the miracle workers of Capitol Hill can bring the dead back to life.

All around the country reporters are tapping out reports that toll agencies (and other highway operators) are "bracing" for a surge of holiday traffic. This is a melodramatic way of saying that the tollers are preparing for extra traffic.

But where's the news?

Christopher Conkey transportation reporter for the Wall Street Journal has broken from the pack. He reports today that a Obama stimulus program is "designed to kickstart" highspeed rail. Most of his colleagues - New York Timers, Washington Posties, AP, ABC - have settled on "jumpstart".

Conkey risks being ostracized for this odd, what is it, motorcycle metaphor.