LETTERS: THRIFT PUTS BURDEN ON THOSE WHO HELP

To the editor:

I am writing this letter on behalf of all the people who are repeatedly belabored by others' voluntary need for automobile transportation yet are too nice to say "no" when asked for a ride.

Upon reading the cover story in the Feb. 14 Southeast Missourian, "Gerber family steers clear of cars," two thoughts immediately came to mind. First, someone must have been extremely desperate for something to put on the cover in order to resort to this story. Secondly, the title is completely inaccurate. This family does not steer clear of cars. Rather, they steer clear of paying for cars.

This is not due to an inability to afford a car but an unwillingness to realize that in a city such a Cape public transportation is not a way of life. Therefore, this family chooses to depend heavily upon those around them for transportation.

I do not feel that people who consistently skim off of society in this way should be glorified with a front-page story. OK, so they occasionally take a taxi or walk when time and weather permits.

However, whenever the opportunity exists, they choose to hitch a ride with someone who does own a car. Gerber was quoted as saying that they only spend about $100 a month on taxis. However, no mention was made of compensation to those whose automobiles are relied upon.

People living in this manner need to remember that -- although they are not out the cost of insurance, gasoline and routine maintenance -- those who are giving them rides are. In addition, they should keep in mind that just because the kind people who give them rides do not have a meter running in their car, they need and deserve some monetary compensation. The people who are treated as free taxis for this family need to be paid, especially when the trip requires driving to the outskirts of town, as is the case with the family highlighted.

Though unsavory to address in an apologetic society, the real issue is the conflict between personal thrift and general responsibility. There is a difference between saving money and laying personal expenses on others. While I certainly do not mind giving rides to those with a temporary need, I find it irritating, if not insulting, to foot the bill for someone else's miserliness. We need not exonerate selfishness.

L.J. HINES

Cape Girardeau