A Word About Railroads

After listening to the discussion in class (and not really talking due to the fact that I have no voice right now since I've been sick for what seems like forever), I felt like the railroad didn't get all the credit that it was due.  I agree that the major railroad companies were not benevolent and fair, the unions that came out of the solving of this issue were definitely a step in the direction of the democratic horizon.  Like the article "The Iron Horse" points out, the railroad changed the way people think about big business in America and the problems that arise from it, causing unions and regulations that protect people and help enable their participation in democracy.  Plus, the simple fact that trains allowed people to take advantage of their freedom to assemble with people they never would have been able to meet with before was a huge step in making a democratic society and the associations Tocqueville was so fond of.