Election opinions, environmental concerns and earthquake issues rock Highways’ inbox

Good Sam Club Highways
January 2009

Highway to Recession?
John Sullaway’s article “Highway to the White House” in the November magazine missed the most important issue to RVers and the real difference between the two presidential candidate—namely, their reactions to the financial meltdown.

During the crisis, Senator McCain rushed to Washington to see what he could do to help. Why? Because he knew the meltdown was coming as early as 2005 and introduced legislation to stop it from happening. Obama, who hadn’t functioned as a senator for at least a year, did nothing. McCain would extend the Bush tax cuts; Obama’s plan lets them expire.

In the famous exchange with Joe the Plumber, Obama inadvertently revealed his plan “to spread the wealth around.” Nearly all RV-related manufacturers and businesses will be impacted by this philosophy. Obama’s catchphrase of “change” is a throwback to Jimmy Carter–era policies, and we all know what a huge impact that had on the RV industry. Obama’s plans will make that era look like real prosperity.
David C. Janzen, Metamora, Illinois

All Shook Up
I’d like to add to Joe and Vicki Kieva’s column on earthquake preparedness in the November issue. We were visiting Petrolia, California, during the Cape Mendocino earthquakes of 1992 and saw what a big temblor could do. As we drove out of town, we lost count of the houses that had been knocked off their foundations. The second and third quakes that night caused fires that burned up parts of downtown Scotia, another town in the area. Another fire incinerated the building that housed the fire department and post office of Petrolia, reminding us of the value of having a fire extinguisher handy.

The FEMA website (www.fema.gov) has excellent guidelines for what to do before, during and after an earthquake. Read them before you need them. With enough preparation, you’ll be ready to enjoy the ride, like Joe Kieva.
Stacey Wallace, Hydesville, California

The Kievas’ article about earthquakes triggered a memory of my service with the U.S. occupation forces in Japan in 1947. We were attending a movie when the shaking began. Suddenly, the picture began moving all over the screen and, in accordance with our training to evacuate buildings in the event of a quake, we exited the theater post haste. We assembled in the street as the shaking subsided.

As we stood there, we began to laugh. We’d all escaped the theater safely before realizing we’d been attending a movie in an outdoor venue with just the moon and stars over our heads.
Carl Dykman, San Antonio, Texas

Receptive to Recycling
My husband and I are amazed that very few RV parks have recycling receptacles. The amount of plastic, aluminum cans, newspapers and other renewable items that RVers send to landfills is astounding.

We recycle when we’re at home and we’re always surprised at the amount of stuff two people generate. It really hurts us to see our beautiful nation being destroyed by litter and disposal of waste that could be recycled. Parks need to start offering recycling.
John and Judy Hurst, Louisville, Tennessee

Consider taking matters into your own hands. Ask campground management to offer recycling and encourage other guests to make the same request. Campground operators just might get the message.—Editors

Hard Copy Versus Digital Edition
I commend the staff of Highways and the Good Sam Club website for your survey to determine if members are interested in receiving a digital edition of Highways in lieu of a hard copy.

As full-timers, we depend mostly on e-mail for our communications. Most businesses now offer online statements and provide online billing, so snail-mail is becoming a thing of the past. I look forward to the day (hopefully, soon) when we no longer have to pay to forward your magazine.
Verna Norris, Green Cove Springs, Florida

Thanks, Verna. To take a look at the digital edition of the current issue, log on to www.goodsamclub.com/highways.

Staycation Temptation
You don’t have to go a long way to enjoy RVing. We just got back from staying on the Norfolk River below the dam at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Quarry Campgrounds, about 10 miles from our Mountain Home, Arkansas, residence. Our site was situated right on the river.

If you love fly-fishing, come to this part of Arkansas and give it a try.
John and Guyla Roberts, Mountain Home, Arkansas

Turn to “RV Budget Boosters” on page 37 to learn more about RV “staycations” and other ways to cut camping and
travel costs.—Editors

Small Rig, Big Mileage
My wife and I enjoy leaving Wisconsin winters for a couple of months every year but found that fuel for these trips was very costly.

The answer? We sold our motorhome, which got 8 miles per gallon, along with our dinghy. We then purchased a new dually pickup along with a large truck camper. It’s perfect for us and gets about 13 miles per gallon, a mileage increase of more than 50 percent.

Our RV is a nice-looking rig. Now we’re wondering what kind of response we’ll get at the Good Sam Parks when we pull into a space alongside a large motorhome or fifth wheel.
Adrian and Ramona Johnson, La Crosse, Wisconsin

DROP US A LINE
We love to hear from Good Sam members. Write to us at deargoodsam@goodsamclub.com or Dear Good Sam, P.O. Box 8545, Ventura, California 93002 or send us your comments online at www.goodsamclub.com/ highways. Please include your name, hometown and state or province. Letters may be edited for length and clarity and published in Highways and on the Good Sam website.