Ride Network

I take issue with something I heard a CBS reporter suggest; she said "Americans stubbornly continue to drive despite high gas prices". The fact is that any review of our transportation options will show there are in fact no practical alternatives. I was one of those who back in the late 70's thought it was obvious then that we needed to support expanded public transportation options, or pay the price. Now once again those chickens come home to roost!

The "over riding" or "driving problem" we face is an absence of leadership. Again and again our politicians sell out to corporate interest rather then fulfill their obligation to address the needs of their constituency. All of the challenges we face result solely from greed and corruption. These are the causes which need addressing, anyone who can't admit it, is just part of the problem.

Ok since government can't fix the problem I would like to propose another commercial solution. Any big IT company could make it a reality. The idea is to create a subscription "ride network". Using cell phones and GPS drivers and riders could easily connect with each other, creating a computerized ride network with almost no additional infrastructure. With a Bluetooth application account records could be managed almost automatically. No money would change hands and security would be provided though member identification and password verification, perhaps including photo ID's or even facial recognition.