When I was 13, I attempted to learn the guitar. I actually managed to learn
2 chords. I would have been a shoo-in if Iggy Pop had decided to reunite the
Stooges. But even if I had managed to progress, I probably would have bored
myself to death with Bob Dylan and John Denver covers. I'm not a songwriter.
Do you guys really live a minimal existance? Perhaps it is a weakness on my
part, but I really don't care to deprive myself of the sound of unique and
creative musicians, such as Stevie Ray, Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and David Gilmour.
Thus, I seized on the opportunity when I saw that Aiwa compact stereo at
Best Buy. It has just about every feature you would want, it sounds damn good,
and it only cost me $154.00 (which I paid in cash). You gotta live a little, man!I agree with you regarding mass transit. The Dallas area has DART (I call it "FART".).
It sucks. The Fort Worth area's "Texas T" probably isn't much better, and it doesn't
extend very far in Northeast Tarrant County. Maybe if enough people get interested,
we can get a good metro rail system like the DC area and Los Angelas enjoys.
Well, to get to the topic of this post, we've got a better opportunity than ever
today to improve the system. Can you say "Internet"? Sure you can!!! We can put
together a real "quality work circle". With donations from concerned citizens,
we can build a Web Site, and then we can gather ideas on making the system work
for all of us, on EACH wrung of the ladder. A flat tax rate with less bullshit
red tape and paperwork is a good place to start. God only requires 10%, and I
see no reason why Washington can't be as simple. Accountants can submit some
ideas on that. We can assemble these ideas together, and then one way or another
submit them to Capitol Hill. Space on this board doesn't permit me to go into
specific details.
As for Tenants Union, well let's call it Residents Association. I hate the word
"union". Again, the power of the 'Net will come in handy. Resident organizations can
be created on either the State, County, or perhaps City or community level. Here, we
refer to Hurst, Euless, and Bedford collectively as "H-E-B", one big happy community.
Using the Internet for this is a safe method, because most apartment complexes have
rules against soliciting, that apply both to outsiders, and residents. If you go door-
to-door, you run the risk of a tattle-tale neighbor turning you in to the
management. Again, I want to make this short as possible, so my suggestion in setting
up these unions, er, associations, is to do it by chapter, using the apartment
complex names for the chapters. Once there are enough neighbors who have joined online,
they can go out on the property en masse (There is strength in numbers.), with printouts
of the ideas, and distribute them to each unit. The manager can't evict everyone, after
all. Then the neighbors can come up with a final petition, and present it to the
management. Once these associations gain strength, they can become effective tools for
negotiating rent, and the landlords will no longer be able to just add or change any rule,
cancel any amenity, or change any policy without first getting our vote. If there are any
apartment managers or owners reading this, hey! We are customers, and we have a right
to specify how we want to be served!!! To close this idea, this is better than anything
mandated by the State or the Feds (State rent control is NOT the answer!).
As for all other businesses, including McD's, consumer groups can be organized on the Net,
and ideas (and grievances) can be submitted to the Corporations. Remember! There is strength
in numbers, and if we get together, then we can hold the companies accountable for
the quality of their products and services.
