KISS -

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid

Within a few years they were swallowed up by Sovereign Bank. (As was most of our banking system). We stayed with them for a while. But then they, without our knowledge or permission, GAVE our funds to an out-of-state party on an unfounded collections claim. We were livid. Not too long after that, we switched to Fulton Bank - a Lancaster-based bank, and one that has been much more cooperative, even when it has been listed on the NYSE and swallowed other banks.

I think the solution to this is to break up our banking system, and insist on smaller, community-based banks. If companies need more capital than is locally available, then they can tap into other banks in other areas.

Oh, we did try to go with a local credit union, PSECU - but they denied us access to our money because of our credit history (it was just a simple $50 deposit). Wasn't allowed to even withdraw it, and checking privileges were denied. Needless to say, we just let that account whither and die.

From what little bit I know, the ridership in our small transit system is up, but not enough to justify putting in additional routes or extending existing ones.

Over in York County, the transit company over there began running buses for Maryland commuters recently - a sure bet, if there ever was one - but they didn't advertise it. So the kick off was a bust. My suspicion is that they were that short of cash. Hopefully, riders will find the service before it disappears.

To be fair, I honestly think management of our transit system is doing the best they can under the conditions they face.

But they need help.

If the stimulus bill passes with additional aid, transit systems WILL hire new people right away, and any expansion or maintenance projects are "shovel ready."

They are an investment in communities since it also involves people getting to work when the buses don't run and help for seniors and the disabled to get to doctors' appointments (shared ride programs).

It's not just the poor or minorities who ride transit systems. Passengers include the very poor to the upper middle class. It's as broad of a picture of America as you can paint.

I hope members of Congress understand this.

Yes, we WILL.

It was.

However, because of the good work of the poll workers there, we were able to get through really fast - we were numbers 55 and 58, respectively - and we were done by 7:25. They did a great job.

I am also thankful that we have the scanner rather than the touch screens.

Yes, I voted for the straight Democratic ticket - although, like my wife, I darkened the square of EACH candidate rather than choosing to just darken the square of the ticket. I'm not taking any chances.

I will have Shakespeare class tonight at Millersville University, but I hope to be home by 9:30. In the meantime, I will have TPM on on my laptop while listening to a lecture on Macbeth.

Won't it be a kick if it's over before AZ closes?? Can only hope.