racing rats
Commuting is bad for the world. There are several reasons:
- It uses non-renewable resources
- It causes pollution
- It slow other travelers during rush hours
However, the biggest reason is that it makes people bad. Yes, I'm condemning everyone around me but I'm also condemning myself. Equal opportunity condemnation. I don't have a huge commute - it's about 22 miles each way, most of it on the highway. So it takes about 30 minutes door to door, which is enough to bring out the jerk in me. Let's make another list, this one of how Mr. Hyde comes out in me during the drive:
- I don't like to let people pass me
- I get angry when anyone drives in a way I don't consider "proper" (especially going slowly in the left lane)
- I'm always tense - trying to get there sooner, always sooner
- Heaven help me if I encounter traffic jam
- I even start driving like the improper drivers - but still get angry at the others
I used to listen to books on tape, which would distract me from the rat race without any noticeable change in my commute time, just my attitude. But since I changed the battery in my car, the radio no longer works at all. So now all I have to chew on while I drive is my fury.
Conclusion: Obama should create an investigative panel on methods for commute reduction. More mass transit? Requiring all businesses to have satellite offices within 10 minutes of every employee? I'm sure they'll come up with some great ideas.
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