Health Careless

Yes, our healthcare system here in the U.S. sucks. ("Canadian vs. American Healthcare," OPEN EXCHANGE, April-June 2008. Visit www.openexchange.org/archives/AMJ08/robinson.html) We pay high taxes, and for what? I'm tired of doing for this country so that our government can build bombs of mass destruction and "protect out country"—that's a lie! We feed all these other countries because we need them? When will our country start taking care of it's own people?

We mostly agree, but with one important exception. It's not food aid which is bankrupting the U.S. All foreign aid amounts to only about one percent of our federal budget, whereas the "defense" budget gobbles up over a third of our revenues, not even counting secret spy programs which are "off the books."

Where Can I Buy That Solar-Electric Car?

I recently took a photovoltaics Design course, and your little [solar-electric] car looks good and make sense. ("Healthy Living News," OPEN EXCHANGE, April-June 2008. Visit www.openexchange.org, "Archives.") I have a licence to paint house numbers on curbs in San Carlos. This vehicle might suit my needs as well as many others in my area.

Steve, if this car were available commercially we'd purchase one ourselves! For the present the only electric cars priced from $8,000 to $15,000 are the GEM from Global Electric Motorcars, Zap's Xebra, and the electric Zenn. You can add a solar panel to the Xebra for an extra $2000, but it extends the range only two extra miles. Gem, Zap, and Zenn are great for neighborhood jaunts (30 miles round-trip) but aren't designed for freeway speeds or long commutes. However, there'll be more choices in the near future. Renault and Nissan are building a large fleet of all-electric cars for oil-poor Israel. These cars are fast enough for freeways, go over 100 miles on a charge, and will be priced comparably to gas powered cars. For ultra-quick refueling, Israel is building a network of battery swapping stations similar to "gas" stations. If it can work there, why not here?

Electric Cars Too Expensive?

I believe the "problem" with the [solar-electric] vehicle is the price for starters. And, actually, yes, trunk space is an issue. Safety, no enclosure, and probably slow moving vehicle. GREAT CONCEPT, and would be great at a much lower cost.... Another technology that's extremely low cost and easy [is to]convert current vehicles into water hybrids.

Alas, "water hybrid" technology isn't proven. Some engineers say it works only by pumping more energy into the system than comes out. But all-electric and solar-electric hybrids are viable now. Many of us would rush to buy a freeway-ready $12,000 microcar that never needs gasoline, tune-ups, or smog checks! Yeah, we'd also want doors, a radio, a heater, and enough trunk space for groceries, too.

Not Easy Greening Businesses

The article presented by Susan-Urquhart Brown is missing some very valuable information and also indicates a lack of knowledge on what a green business is. ("Greening Your Business," OPEN EXCHANGE, April-June 2008. Visit www.openexchange.org, "Archives.") The Alameda County Green Business Certification program is backed up over 18 months at this point. The process is not an easy one and requires on-going improvements by business owners.

Greening a Business is a much more substantial process than presented by Susan. Greening a workplace requires a shift in lifestyle, workplace culture, values, and leadership practices.

Sheryl, your point is well taken that official "certification" might not be easy or automatic. But the most important thing to note is that any business can grow greener! And we think Susan did a great job by providing multiple resources and referrals for starting that process.

Childless & Proud!

I read the courageous letter from Paul Kangas with great interest. (OPEN EXCHANGE, April-June 2008. Visit www.openexchange.org, "Archives.") I have been a proponent of population control for more than 30 years.

When I was a child, I lived in India for two years (1961-63), and my father pointed out to me the tragedy of over-population. All I had to do was look out my window to see the throngs of poverty stricken, sick, crippled, and starving people. It made a lasting impression. As a teenager, I decided not to have any children at all. I have an older brother and sister, and my parents supported all three of us in our decision not to have any children. I am 59 years old and have never regretted my choice.

But society has not supported my decision. I cannot tell you how many people have given me pitying comments and looks for my "plight" of having no children. Many people assumed I was infertile, for no normal woman would make such an unnatural choice. My friends and co-workers told me I was an "unfulfilled woman" and would regret the decision to be childless all my life. People have told me that I was selfish and wanted to hoard all my earnings for my self instead of spending it dutifully on my children. Or that I was a child-hater. Or that my opinions and feelings had no real merit because I had never experienced the sanctity of motherhood. Or that I could never be a member of the women's community, because I refused to share their most common and sacred experience, childbirth. Or that I was letting down my "race" by not producing more of same. Or, conversely, that I am a racist for promoting a lower birthrate among minorities. Or that I had declined my duty to God for not obeying his commandment to be fruitful and multiply. Or that I was a coward, afraid of responsibility. Or that my decision indicates that I am mentally ill and hate people....

I chose not to have children because I believe it is immoral to bring three or more children into an already overcrowded world. I also believe it is immoral to bring children one cannot afford to take care of into an already economically overburdened world (forcing other people to pay the price for one's own choice). In fact, having more than two children is the essence of selfishness. It is putting personal satisfaction above the common good.

The problem of overpopulation is never going to be addressed until it becomes politically incorrect to harass women for choosing not to be mothers. Until men and women see this as both a sexist and environmental issue and confront it as such. Until people realize that not having children is an act of love of life (and children)—by making sure there is enough room and resources on Earth for all species to thrive. And until women who choose not to become mothers are seen as heroines instead of misfits.

Proof Of An Afterlife?

Thanks for your Fred Alan Wolf interview and for posting it on the web so that folks like me have access to the ideas of such an interesting and thought-provoking scientist. (OPEN EXCHANGE, Jan-March 2008. Visit www.openexchange.org, "Archives.")

I was fortunate to attend the Forever Family Conference in San Francisco this past January. It was a special opportunity to meet and hear the foremost scientists interested in discovering proof of an afterlife. Fred Alan Wolf [told] how quantum physics may intersect with our understanding of the soul, or mindbody, or spirit, or all three.

Most of us at the conference had lost loved ones that we miss on this earthly plane. But many of us have had encounters or communication from those loved ones that already convinced us personally that there is most certainly an afterlife, and that we can see and hear our loved ones back here on earth.

So good of you to take the time to write! But to clarify Fred Alan Wolf's position: quantum physics does not deny the possibility of immortality, but science has yet to provide definitive proof. Our knowledge is limited, so there's still plenty of mystery at the borders of faith and reason.

	Ralph Nader, hero or spoiler?

No Third Parties?

Interesting discussion in your OPEN EXCHANGES page last issue on third parties. I've considered it quite a bit and my bottom line is that they don't work here in the U.S. with two political parties which are exclusively favored by "the system."

Liberals tend toward a sort of myopic idealism that ultimately thwarts their ends. Someone really needs to smack them upside the head. I really do believe third party votes are a total waste.

Although Gore won in 2000, if Ralph Nader hadn't been in the race, the Bush syndicate would never have been able to pull off the theft. Progressive commentator Thom Hartmann disagrees with this. He thinks the thieves would have found 90,000 votes somewhere anyway. Who's right? I don't know.

We've talked with quite a few liberals who are still mad at Ralph Nader for inadvertently helping Republicans steal the 2000 election. Clearly, Nader was wrong in believing that there wasn't much difference between Al Gore and George W. Bush. The Bush wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost well over a million lives, something Gore never would have condoned. And don't even get us started on the topic of global warming! That said, we still believe that Nader and third parties ought to be heard, and that many voices should be aired in the early stages of an election. Once we're down to two candidates, however, it's time to set aside idealism and make a practical choice, if only to steer the ship of state away from an encroaching iceberg. In other words, continuing the Iraq War would be a Titanic mistake!

Los Angeles OPEN EXCHANGE?

Recently, I found your magazine while I was visiting San Fransisco. I live in Los Angeles, and I've been wondering if this magazine is also issued in LA.

Our focus is Northern California, but you can always read editorial online at www.openexchange.org. Click "Archives" to read articles from previous issues. And be sure to check out our Calendar when scheduling visits to the Bay Area.