I am genuinely sympathetic every time gas prices ratchet up. I know it puts the squeeze on so many pocketbooks, particularly for poor people or people on the edge of poverty, and people who don’t have the option of living biking- or walking- or even bussing-distance from their jobs.
But then I also feel a little smug, because I haven’t filled up my tank in months.
According to today’s USA Today story, people are switching to transit in reaction to rising prices; Washington, D.C., had two of its busiest days in light-rail history last week. Since the benefits to getting out of your car exceed the cash savings alone – it’s probably less stressful, more active, and more social to get around almost any way besides driving – I hope that this switch results in a net improvement in their quality of life, not just the cash savings.
Does that make up for the smugness?
