What a Car Can Mean

This car has been parked in the church lot behind our house for weeks. It's not road worthy, the license is not attached, so it can't be parked on a street. The owners hide it behind this church so the police don't tow it. When they need the car, they take off the tarps keeping rain out of the broken windows, laying the wood on the parking lot while they are gone. When they return from their errands, they replace the tarps and wood to protect the car, and carry their wares to their home.

The average middle class person can afford a car with windows and headlights and a license plate that they can park conveniently in front of their home. Often middle class and upper class folks complain that those without means expect to be taken care of, and should find a job.

Working usually requires transportation. In my city the only train system is a limited rail downtown more for tourists. The busses mostly run downtown, which is not where work can be found for the typical person without high skills. So the average person trying to get out of poverty, needs a car. But how to pay for one? If they can scrape some money together, the car may look like this.

One of my parishioners has a serviceable car, and the head gasket recently blew. Where does she get the extra funds to repair the car on her wages from waiting tables? And people often fail to tip. If she doesn't fix the car, and doesn't get to her job, she has no income at all. Such a vicious cycle.

People without means to buy cars need public transportation that goes to parts of the city with work and that remains affordable. Care about such matters, even if you don't personally need to use it. Support busses and trains in city budgets and measures to make the affordable to those who depend on them. Wanna help someone you know with these issues? Buy a bus card so they can get started on their job search and save for a car. Consider donating your used car when you are ready to upgrade to someone who needs it or an organization who provides cars for people, instead of getting that tiny amount the dealer offers for a trade in. You could make the difference for someone who needs a car to start working. These concrete matters impact others. The next time you're ready to buy that sweet ride, find a good home for the old one.