I wonder how much money I've saved and how much pollution I've spared the world

by being car-free for the past three years.

The only argument people understand.

Here's a token CNN article, with token quotes, pointing out how gas prices have caused the biggest annual drop ever in miles driven and a tremendous increase in public transit usage. You're learning, people!

"Praying at the Pump"

Speaking of gas, Zach West comes across an article about religious activists praying for cheaper fuel.

Gas

I don't have a car. I don't need a car. I save money instead of spending it on gas. I don't care how much gas costs at retail establishments. I'm tired of hearing about it.

Welcome to Indiana, where you can't eat without a car.

I'm staying across the street from a Wendy's and a McDonald's. I decided that since I'm hungry, and my meals are on the Company, that I would have one small cheeseburger and one small diet coke. I walked across six lanes of unlit blacktop to get to the other side of the road. I then walked between the road and the drainage ditch, since there are no sidewalks here.

At Wendy's, the dining room was locked. I walked around to the drive through and rapped on the window. An apologetic cashier, whose position I once occupied, came to the window, which he did not open, and informed me that "we're not allowed to take walk-ups." "I guess I'm going to McDonald's," I told him.

So I walked over to McDonald's and attempted to open the door, which was locked even though all the lights were on. A long-haired freak, mopping the floor, mouthed, "WE'RE CLOSED," even though the occupants of a large, white SUV were placing an order at the drive-through box

So: in order to purchase food that retails for $5, one must own a $20,000 vehicle.

The peanuts in the hotel vending machine cost 85¢.

Car-Free

P.S. I've been car-free in Boston for 16 months. I haven't starved to death or anything. I also estimate I'm saving at least $8,000 a year.