I’ve been reading more about hybrid and electric cars. And while I agree it’s the best alternative to cleaning up the environment as well as weaning the United States from the United Arab Emirates and OPEC, I am certainly a long way from being convinced the “average” American is anywhere close to psychologically making that ultimate jump. Especially in cold weather climates, like Minnesota or North Dakota. Never mind in places like Alaska or Vermont where there’s a larger Moose population than people population. I might be wrong, but considering cold weather is expected to deplete an electric car battery faster than in normal temperatures —nah, Norwegians are not known for appreciating “change” to begin with, let alone anything that could also hinder their fiercely held independence. I’m not knocking the local ethnic heritage, I’m simply stating facts.
Something I read recently regarding hybrids and electric transportation that does make sense for now would be to install city buses, as each gas-powered bus needs replacing, with either hybrid or electric engines. Wouldn’t it be nice to drive behind a city bus and NOT have smelly fumes spewing exhaust all around its path? Not to mention, how much gas does it take a behemoth such as a city bus to truck from one part of town to another? Plenty, I’m sure.
The other alternative would be the old street cars once used in every major city in the country.
The only two I am aware of that are still in use are in San Francisco and New Orleans. No, the New York Subways aren’t quite the same, although they may be as efficient. The Bay area of San Francisco also has BART, comparable to Chicago’s El trains.
In the meantime, if President Obama believes the American public is anywhere near considering giving up their individual automobiles that are still and for a fairly long time to come gasoline-powered, someone needs to check out what else is in the DC water pond. I’m betting we might have our own revolution over here if gas prices go to five or six bucks a gallon. The American memory is short—and the Gulf water disasters will be all but forgotten when average folks cannot afford to go back and forth to work every day. I remember the early 70’s well, as do many who lived elsewhere — with populations similar to the FM area now. It was not pretty, and figuring out which gas station might have the shortest line time-wise was a major pain in the kiester. Personally, I’d really rather not relive any of those ‘’good ole days.”
Maybe that’s what Scott Hennen and Governor Schafer and the “Fix it oil tax” gang already know; that the Baaken is going to start seeing a lot more action due to the rapid deterioration of the governments past and present in the middle east. One thing is for sure, North Dakota is poised to make giant leap-frog jumps into the future. Let’s hope a few of the good old boys now running its legislature either have the foresight to recognize that or the good citizens of North Dakota use their vote to let them know.
WHAT’S YOUR CREDIT SCORE?
Do you know what your credit score is? If not, don’t be overly concerned. Experts in the field say it is not just your credit score you need to worry about. It’s also the report that coincides with your score that should be a consideration. Here are some myths that many people follow, but are just that—myths.
** Know what your “utilization ratio” is. That means, know exactly how much you have in available credit. If you make only one purchase and make a timely payment, your credit will look much better than if you have several credit cards with high balances. The larger the amount of debt you carry signifies you might also be a higher risk to a credit bureau. That’s not a good thing.
** It doesn’t take something major, such as a foreclosure or a bankruptcy to really mess up your credit rating. Sure those will certainly do it, but just one late payment can harm your credit score. Another is having too many credit cards. Even if you haven’t used them or don’t plan to, opening double digit numbers of department store credit cards will also make you appear to be credit risk.
** When going through a break-up or divorce where the two of you have joint accounts and joint liabilities, be sure to find out what you need to do to have your name removed or extinguished from as many as possible as soon as possible. Even if you split the bills, if your “ex” doesn’t pay the monthly payment or pay the balance off, if your name is still attached, it will likely hurt your credit as much as your “ex’s” credit. One way to be sure things are not going against your name and credit is by checking your credit rating on a regular basis. This will also enable you to repair or fix something incorrect should you find a mistake on your credit rating. It can also cut down on the possibility of having your identity stolen or find out much sooner if someone is trying to use your identity illegally—like taking a credit card out in your name.
For more information about credit ratings and how to maintain a good one, look on line for SmartCredit.com.
CONGRATULATIONS AND JOB WELL DONE TO ACACIA FOSSUM OF DICKINSON. Acacia blew away her competition at this year’s state individual meet by winning the floor exercise, beam and all-around championship awards. Acacia is a seventh grader attending school in Dickinson, North Dakota. Her parents, Michelle and Darcy Fossum, are beaming!
FAMOUS QUOTES FOR THE WEEK
Cleverness is not wisdom.
Euripides
As a child my family’s menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.
Buddy Hackett
Weather forecast for tonight: dark.
George Carlin
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
Mohandas Gandhi