Some people choose to live places with less infrastructure and support, and that’s a reasonable choice. But it’s not ok when it affects the education of the next generation. Parents may be the most important voice in raising children, but we as a society have a vested interest in them being well educated, and need our actions to reflect that

4h ago

For most US drivers, electric vehicles offer emissions benefits and cost savings, according to a new study by MIT researchers

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 4h ago

Actually lack of that is one of the reasons we have high electricity prices. There was an expectation to buy cheap and clean electricity from Quebec, that kept getting blocked for reasons outside our control. I suppose at the moment with the political BS it’s just as well we were never able to get connected.

…. But our planned wind farms have also been blocked for many years. We finally got one open despite the federal government. It’s not even directly for us but is expected to cut 1.5¢/kWH off our overall cost of electricity

14h ago

Property tax cuts sound great — until your city can’t fund schools or police

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

same amount of money to run a school no matter where it’s located

Not at all. Some of us live in places with much higher property values/taxes so building the school is much more expensive. We live in high cost of living areas so all employees pay can be significantly more. And yes we may choose to spend more because we value our kids education more.

So I disagree with that contention, but completely agree that yes, paying for schools mostly from property taxes is hugely unfair. We need a “department” of “education” as part of the federal government, setting minimum standards for equity, inclusivity, education levels, and additional support for those who need it. Even better if it could be proactive, set higher standards, override those localities shortchanging our children

14h ago

In the US, why doesn't a personal savings account make more sense than health insurance?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

You have the option of not going through insurance. I do have that situation, almost …. The reason we goto the pharmacy we do is they have a list of common medicines they decided are at their cost. My insurance may decide a medicine is worthy of a $30 copay, but they say “cash price $6”

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

Very tempting, but I’ll take the knee pain preventing them from reclining, since there’s nothing I can do about it

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

You sure about your height? I’m 6’3” and find it very painful in my knees when the person in front of me reclines, since the pivot point is too far below knee level. If I were to recline my seat, it doesn’t change that since reclining only affects your back.

There are many aircraft where if the person in front of me reclines, I am looking down on their head and find it easier to watch their screen than mine

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

Reclining seats don’t work that way. My knees are still the same place, my lap is still the same place, the tray is still the same place. All of them are infringed upon, even if I pay the entitlement back on the next poor soul, until the person in the non-reclining seat in the last row is screwed

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

Personally I see it like …. As a bigger guy, I can easily shove my way through a crowd so I’m not delayed demanding that I not perform that action because it is more convenient for you not to be pushed to the ground is … well … yes, I do feel like it is a good analogy. In both cases an entitled person is physically infringing on close personal space to cause pain and make someone else less comfortable, and potentially damage their devices. The difference is that one of these actions has entitled people thinking it’s ok

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

You might look at airline fees again. I’ve typically seen $50 or more. Even worse, since airlines now charge for everything, if I want both legroom and for my family to sit together, there are times when it would double my ticket price

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

But we don’t get priority on seats that fit. We used to but now airlines upcharge everything. Even if you can afford paying extra fees, they go fast: I have rarely seen them available.

FYI - on many planes the bulkhead isn’t even beneficial for tall people. The thing is it’s a flat wall. Even though there’s more room overall, there may be no place for feet/legs. Normal seats are much closer together, but there can be more room for your feet under the seat in front

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

So, just like you adjust to more room and comfort, the person behind you should adjust to less room, less comfort for your entitlement? Do you really see them the same?

14h ago

Put your seat back or no?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 14h ago

No. Should not be allowed. For some reason airlines have been allowed to narrow that space more and more to the point where it’s just not reasonable to use. You are infringing on the person behind you. Sure it’s mainly the airlines fault, and the government regulators that are supposed to serve the people, but don’t be an asshole about basic human courtesy

for those of us on the taller side, you reclining can be painful on the knees. How is it any different than me walking by punching your shoulder. Should I do that? Not ok
for those of us on the taller side, if you recline, we may no longer easily see the whole screen
Even short people no longer have room for a laptop and reclining means you quite likely damage it. That’s not ok
While the trays are supposedly independent, if reclining, they aren’t entirely. You reclining will bump the tray and potentially spill a drink. Not ok. On some aircraft the recline will partly crush a tall cup or can on the back of the tray or knock it over. Not ok
those of us on the bigger side may no longer even fit a standard paperback. Now you’re not even letting me read because you feel entitled?

As someone both big and tall, I have had people in front of me recline so my normal breathing is in their hair. I have to admit to playing that up to success. There’s nothing like some entitled asshole turning around to glare that someone is breathing in their hair, and suddenly realizing just how close the seats are and it’s their fault. My edgy revenge fantasy is to rest my novel on top of their head because it literally would be easier to read than in front of me

19h ago

Any Other Guys wish they were short/shorter

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 19h ago

Kind fit. 6’3” here. Most of my life I was just enough taller than average to be uncomfortable, but normal in my family.

But now it’s more than uncomfortable. My knees are shot, making it hard to get in and out of cars. Of all things using the bathroom sink hurts my back because “standard height” is too low. Mostly work though, sitting in chairs that won’t adjust properly.

Then again, some of that is because I’m also big. I can’t really blame anyone other than me for that

But yeah, tall white dude definitely benefits

19h ago

US planning to halt immigration at 'sanctuary city' airports

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 19h ago

We all know that soccer is unamerican (because we’re bad at it). Anyone coming here to watch soccer deserves to be punished

19h ago

In the US, why doesn't a personal savings account make more sense than health insurance?

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 19h ago

As others have said, insurance is for covering the catastrophe that you can’t, but also …..

My teen recently had a paperwork issue refilling a prescription. Originally they couldn’t find our insurance info and tried to charge $335. However they eventually did, and it was just $30 copay

19h ago

For most US drivers, electric vehicles offer emissions benefits and cost savings, according to a new study by MIT researchers

Jump

AA5B @lemmy.world 19h ago

While that is what plugin hybrids are good for, remember that you don’t see the advantage unless you actually plug in for those local trips

You may also take a look into trip charger options for where you take road trips. So far I’ve found there are always multiple choices wherever I want to go, so there’s no reason for range anxiety. For me. And even without trip chargers, is there a chance to charge at your destination? Even the most rural places have electricity