We love our cars. Devoted so entirely to our automobiles are we, that taking a bus or train is simply out of the question. We are willing to sit in traffic jams and commute for hours each day, burning thousands of gallons of fuel oil, polluting the air our grandchildren will breathe. And we do it all for the sake of our own personal space, time to listen to our music, time to think our thoughts. The Japanese have been dealing with the problem of personal space for hundreds of years. One of the densest populations, limited by an island nation, surrounded by ocean and hostile neighbors, they understand the importance of an ecologically sound environment.

Solutions have been quite creative. Defying historical tradition the Japanese agreed, when the US moved in after WWII and insisted, to mass exodus each morning from their humble homes to huge cities where they worked in factories. The thought of personal transportation was cost prohibitive, thus mass transit perfected. The automobiles they did invent, were substantially more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than any America has turned out. Inventing communications devices, they revolutionized the way we interact with each other worldwide. Returning to historical tradition the Japanese discovered telecommuting to be as efficient as on site employment.

Have you ever really looked at a Japanese garden? Have you ever spent time with a native Japanese? Their sense of personal space is admirable. How can Americans achieve that same personal space and ecological responsibility? Is it our Christian religion that keeps us from opening upto new possibilities? Is it our governmental structure, requiring mountains of red tape just to invent the simplest device? Is it the peer pressure exerted by our omnipotent press? Whatever the reason, we are losing the global race toward human evolution. Just look at whom we choose to represent us as President and Congressional Delegates.