Working for a failing automaker to make enough money to keep your beat-up, failing mini van rolling through your sprawled-out, failing city. From today’s New York Times story on escalating gasoline prices.

For ordinary Americans like Phyllis Berry, a 31-year-old factory worker for General Motors in Cleveland, gasoline costs are starting to hurt.

“I
used to fill it up pretty regularly, but now I drive it until the tank
is almost empty, looking for the cheapest place to buy gas,” said Ms.
Berry, who drives a beat-up Dodge Caravan.