My Gas Tax Donation

This June, out of frustration over that sad state of public transit in America, I decided to charge myself $0.50 on every gallon of gasoline I bought for the summer and donate the money to a pro-transit organization. At the time I wrote:

Do you think America needs better public transportation? Me too, but our local, state, and federal governments lack the vision to plan it and the political will to fund it. I'm not talking about maintaining current service levels during the recession, nor am I referring to a 10 or 20 percent increase in funding. I'm talking about investment in the system we need for our future. Currently the federal gas tax is 18.4 cents, a figure which hasn't risen since 1993. Massachusetts adds an additional 41.9 cents. In Europe, taxes can amount to over 70% of the cost of fuel, but in America they make up only around 25% of the cost. Unless we pay more at the pump, we cannot reduce the collective miles we drive, nor can we afford bicycle lanes, trams, trolley buses, or trains.

In light of my representatives' inaction, I have created my own gas tax. For every gallon of gasoline I buy, I will contribute 50 cents--nearly doubling the taxes I currently pay--to an organization that promotes more sustainable transportation options. I haven't chosen the group yet, but I am thinking of Reconnecting America, the National Complete Streets Coalition, and the LivableStreets Alliance. I invite you to join me in my small effort towards creating a more sustainable and liveable America.

The summer has now ended, and I saved $49.18 for my cause. I decided to round that up to an even $50 and donate the money to the LivableStreets Alliance. It was at the top of my list along with WalkBoston for Massachusetts-based organizations promoting more sustainable transportation. I'm working for WalkBoston starting this September, so it seemed to make more sense to donate to LivableStreets.

From the LivableStreets Alliance website:

LivableStreets Alliance is a non-profit organization that believes urban transportation has the power to make Metro Boston more connected — and more livable. We challenge people to think differently and to demand a system that balances transit, walking, and biking with automobiles. We promote safe, convenient, and affordable transportation for all users in urban Boston. Streets that are enjoyable to use will better support neighborhoods and business districts.

Now that's an organization worthy of the money from my gas tax. Hopefully in the future we can get our elected representatives to raise the state and federal gas taxes to benefit our public transportation agencies directly.

Obama and Sebelius 'Ready to Drop the Public Option'

I am absolutely outraged over the news that HHS Secretary Sebelius is ready to drop the public option. I called Representative Neal's office a few weeks ago to tell him that Healthcare reform with no public option is no healthcare reform at all, and I stand by that belief. My health will not be for sale. I called the White House just now but they're not answering the phone (it's Sunday), so I will call tomorrow. The number is 202-456-1111 and the HHS is 202-619-0257. I'll call Rep Neal again and likely Senator Kerry (as useless as he is).

I'm willing to live without single-payer healthcare, but to live in the only country without universal healthcare and some kind of government option? It's embarrassing. I keep my Danish health insurance card as a reminder of what I once had: access to high quality, single-payer health insurance, paid for by progressive taxes, where my coverage was no different than that of any other fellow human being in the country.



Here again are the numbers:
White House Comments 202-456-1111
Health and Human Services 202-619-0257
Representative Neal 202-225-5601 or 413-785-0325
Senator Kerry 202-224-2742 or 413-785-4610

Make the calls. You, the 47 million uninsured, and all other Americans deserve better.

The Saab Returns

I'd say it was about due. I hadn't paid for a costly repair on my Saab for two years. Last Friday it overheated and blew a coolant hose with a big "POP!" in my lucky spot--right across from the AIC campus in Springfield. It spewed green coolant all over the road and the engine compartment. Although I won the Model Congress competition on the campus, on the opposite side (State St) I was robbed and nearly carjacked three and a half years ago. I should probably avoid that area in the future. My friend Emily was visiting me, too, so it was rather embarrassing. At least it happened during the day, because the abandoned house at the spot where I pulled over was marked on the sidewalk with "CRIPS" and the 6-pointed star. Oh, Springfield... Thankfully my folks pay for AAA membership, so I had a free tow.

After a few days with Walts Brothers Auto in West Springfield, the Saab is back with me! I really do love my car... I just wish I could live without it. I've owned it since I was 16, when it gave me my freedom from suburbia. I have a special emotional bond to my Saab (her name is Suzy). There's nothing like turning a corner and hitting the accelerator at 25mph in second gear for a huge boost from the turbo, making a shot for 50. I doubt that you could find a car of the same age (14 years) that's just as much fun and still gets 32mpg on the highway. Despite my strong bond with Suzy Swede and all of the fun she gives me, owning a car is still a big headache. It's also not environmentally-friendly. I dream of living car-free in a truly walkable neighborhood, where I can walk to everything including my job. For any place not within walking distance, I want to be able to ride my bike or take the train. I talk a lot about selling my car. I might actually do it when I go to grad school. Still, I face the emotional dilemma of most any other American who might want to give up their car because of the money, the hassle, the environment, or any other reason but has a hard time going through with it because in our culture we love our cars.

Holyoke, City of Dreams?

Yesterday I had an awesome tour of Holyoke, a planned industrial city in the Pioneer Valley. I connected with Brendan Ciecko online, a Holyoke native and young entrepreneur, and he offered a tour to me and my friend Emily. His knowledge of the city's buildings and its history was outstanding. I'm very grateful that he took an hour and a half out of his day to show us around! Thing is, it will probably pay off. He cares deeply about his city and wants to see it rise to its former glory in a post-industrial age. After that tour, (excuse the double negative) I can't see how my future couldn't include working for that city. I am a serious fan of late 19th century downtown buildings and in Holyoke there are beautiful examples everywhere. Many of them are unoccupied and in dire need of renovation. One eight-story building at 400 High Street, built in 1880, featuring outstanding facade detail and a 360 degree view of the valley on the upper floors, is for sale for just $125,000. Brendan described it as more of a liability than an asset, needing a complete gut-rehab. Still, it's just one example of the city's potential.

From what I saw, Holyoke is on the way up. The downtown is full of life, mostly from the large Latino community. Walking around you see people of all ages socializing, relaxing in the parks, listening to music with a great beat, and just going about their business. The city hall is gorgeous and in good shape. In 2006, the Holyoke Health Center opened in a building restored with marble floors, tin ceilings, and a beautiful reconstructed balustrade as the cornice. Open Square, a series of former mills on the canals summing 685,000 square feet and producing far more electricity from the dams than it can use, offers affordable space for offices, retail, artists, live/work lofts and more.

One day after leaving the city, I find myself dreaming about making a living by saving and restoring the historic buildings downtown. I won't claim to know a lot about business, but at such low prices, I don't think the barriers to entry for historic rehabilitation work could be much lower anywhere else. For now it's a dream, but someday soon I hope I can call it a goal.

First Post

I had a pretty good blog going while I was abroad and although now I’m home in Western Mass, I still have plenty to say! Let’s see how this goes…