So, of course, much of the recent talk, given skyrocketing gas prices, has centered on hybrids and electric vehicles.

Hybrids, sadly, are a far off dream to many of us. The American working class is largely ill equipped to afford the switch to the more environmentally and economically sane vehicles. In an ironic development, the poor in this country not only bear the brunt of the burden for the rising gas prices, as they are prone to drive older, less fuel efficient vehicles, but they also are unable to afford the price of hybrid vehicles. If they have less than stellar credit, they MIGHT be able to afford payments...at 20% APR or higher. Otherwise, they will continue to foot gas prices fast approaching the $2.50 a gallon mark (more in some areas), for vehicles that often fall well short of 20 MPG.

This is especially hard when mass transportation options are fast decreasing for families in rural sections of the country. AMTRAK abandoned us long ago, and Greyhound is fast moving towards an "Interstate only" policy; if you aren't located on the interstate, tough beans. While that may not seem burdensome to many of you, take a look at a map of Texas, Montana, or many areas of the American southwest, and you will see that there are many communities situated more than 70 miles from an interstate community. Factor in the fact that many of these communities are also relatively impoverished, and the Greyhound snub only serves to burden them further.

If we wish to solve the oil crisis, we should be INCREASING, not decreasing, rural public transportation options. Otherwise, we're going to see a lot more unsafe, 30 year old vehicles blowing black smoke all the way down the highway.