I disagree on two fronts: before I realized that I would be miserable I had everything set to go to Annapolis, which would have been free, although I would have been an indentured servant / officer for four years afterwards, but at least I would have been paid and would have gotten great experience. I was poor enough that college was essentially free, due to being a full-need student on financial aid. Since my college years financial aid for poor people has gotten even better.

Viv-a-vis getting a nice car and consigning myself to driving, I don't understand how 35 years after the first oil embargo this country has done absolutely nothing to wean itself from imported oil. Al-Quaeda would be nothing if we had switched from imported oil, we wouldn't have invaded Iraq, and the Twin Towers would be still standing. I for one am trying to do my part by boycotting imported oil to the maximum extent possible. Hence I haven't driven since last week. Whenever possible I try to travel by foot or by bicycle, and when I use non-me-powered transport I try to use trains, which have a lesser carbon footprint than airplanes or cars.