And not a minute too soon. $4.19? Really? No joke. About 3 weeks ago, with the pressure of rising gas prices, and smelling the impending doom of my aging Ford Explorer, I bit the bullet and bought a Hybrid. I went with the Ford Escape. I have nothing against the Japanese, or the Germans, but I am somewhat pleased that I was able to get what I wanted and still support American manufacturing, which these days is increasingly hard to do. Take a look at the "made in" for the next 10 things you buy (other than food). 8 will be made in China & 2 will be from Mexico. Depressing, especially when things economically, seem to be headed in the wrong direction. Save the political & social deterioration of America for another post.Back to the car. I discovered that Crystal and I
qualified for the Hybrid car tax credit based on our income, which for the Escape H, is $3000. That basically sealed the deal for me. I built my car online, got a competitive price, and literally the next day went and traded my 14 mpg bucket of bolts for my new metallic ice blue beauty. I spared no expense, and loaded this pony up with all the trimmings: leather, moon roof, 6CD-SIRIUS satrad, because after all, happiness is all about 
the little things. I'm getting about 28 mpg... and loving it. I do have mixed emotions about the purchase. I probably didn't need a "new" car just yet, & if I wanted to be more sound economically, I should have looked harder at used vehicles. In a time where Americans as a whole should probably be more responsible with their money, I sort of hate buying into the Republican economic stimulus philosophy of consumer spending . I does feel pretty good though. I will be using our government stimulus check to pay down the new car debt... That's admirable, right? Save your $$, but if you have to, Go GREEN! Enjoy the pics.
As a side note: Get involved in activism, even if it is just taking a stand against something in your daily life. Shit has to change, and it won't unless we start revolting against corporate control. It's hard to break out of routines, but I'm trying, and it really isn't that hard.
Suggestion: Don't buy disposable plastic water bottles. Don't do it, & pass it on to someone else. You'll be fine. Just buy a reusable bottle (BPA free) that you can refill. Surfrider quotes estimates that only 20% of them get recycled... which leaves 80%, either floating somewhere in the ocean, or NOT bio-degrading in a land fill.
Addendum: Jae Lee is responsible for discovering the 411 on the Hybrid tax credit, which was critical to the purchase of this car. Thanks Jae!
