My automotive instructor told us that most Americans (in the 1960s) were "car poor." He was describing my father very well. He bought many, many cars always because they were a "bargain." He made good money as a truck driver, but spent every bit of it. He paid nothing for my college education or my three other brothers' and sister's. We lived a lower middle-class lifestyle, he retired early and had a long retirement with union pension playing golf and enjoying life and had nothing left for my mother by way of inheritance or pension when he died.

I delayed buying cars until mid college when I paid for $100 rusty "transportation", $.25 per gal gasoline, and $80 per year for liability insurance. I paid for my college by working and scholarships without debt, and have a comfortable retirement with some inheritance. But the middle class is sliding into the lower class rapidly and most people who can afford to buy a car spend too much on style and convenience, etc. for their cars, insurance, and on gasoline for unnecessary trips.

While public transportation is much better than it was back in those, "good old days," in sprawling cities like Houston, there are still gaps in service that make riding bus and walking, especially for working people, often very difficult and time-consuming. There is no freedom when most of the money you make goes to your car so that you can go to work/school.

Ron

I was a starving student in Chicago and walked and rode busses. When I came back I lived in Cleveland and again, walked and rode busses. I never had a car until 1966. The kids and I still do a lot of hiking and go chipping for fossils. We even chase corn snakes!! LOL!! I enjoyed this write because it makes me think back and realize what a privilege it is to enjoy the fruits of my labor. You always come up with something that makes me think about cool stuff. Thank you!!

Love ya!

Jane

Growing up as a New Yorker I would walk, take a train or I would ride the bus. Riding trains were so much fun. As kids we took the train to Coney Island or Far Rockaway Beach. It was also a beautiful thing to ride to the end of the train line and explore new horizons. My friend Steve called our adventures, "Lots of Times" because we had such great experiences every week. Looking back I think that I had a BETTER childhood than most. Fast forward, many years later when I was stationed in the US Air Force in Tokyo I enjoyed the trains once again. My wife and I would ride to towns in the mountains and explore the surrounding area. I would venture off and explore on my own first and when I would find a place that was fun and exciting I would take my wife there. We called it "doing site surveys" and it was a time that was filled with wonder and adventure all over again! While in Korea I would ride the bus and enjoy the Korean countryside. I was not afraid to wander off with a friend or on my own. In fact, that made my stay in foreign countries much more enjoyable. If it were not for my childhood experiences I doubt that I would have been so adventurous. Now I live in Florida and having a car is a necessity. My exploration trips are when I ride my bike or walk. It's so much more fun to walk because you see things that you would miss if you would just drive by. So to all the folks driving by in their cars, you don't know how much life and love you are missing by not walking, taking a bus, a train or riding a bike! Enjoy Life! Amen!

Absolutely! I view my car as a vehicle for independence.