Flat Roofs

I look at any roof that is flat and think "what a waste of space." In an urban area you really need all the space you can get so why have your entire roof sitting empty. I have thought of different uses and so far come up with the following.

-Put up Solar Panels: Not only will this put good use to the space on your roof but will increase the value of your home and save you money every month on your electric bill.

-Grow plants: Most people in cities don't really have room to grow that many plants so why not take use of all that empty space on your roof and grow something. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, whatever! Just toss some pots up there with some seeds in them.

-Get crazy: This is not as likely for anyone to do but it sounded like fun...Another possible use of space would be to build a halfpipe for skateboarding, etc. Not at all safe, but hey if your just crazy enough, that could be cool.

Summer Vacation

This is a time when many students go home to visit family, go on trip with friends, take summer classes, etc. This is great for the economy because you will see an increase in travel and leisure spending. One thing I have already noticed is the increase in gas prices. Even though I knew this was coming it still upsets me because I was thinking of driving out to New York to visit family since I haven't gone out there in a few years. This brings me to the point that the US really does not have a great transportation system like many other countries. Sure there is an option of driving, flying, taking a bus or train, but the cost of each is pretty high. If people used pubic transit more often the price of taking a train across country would greatly reduce. I did this once on Amtrak which is subsidized by the government and the train was on average around 5% occupied. This is ridiculous, what is the point of having the train if this few people use it? Either get more people to use it or get rid of it because it is costing tax payers millions every year.

Rising Cost of Tution

For all of you students complaining about the rising cost of tuition, please shut-up. I have been a full-time student for six years, cannot afford to pay any of my bills, and have gone into debt with credit cards, loans, etc. and I still think the cost of education at a public University is not that high. Do you realize how little most professors make? Would you want to go to school for your Masters or Doctorates degree just to teach a bunch of kids that are saying their school costs too much as you barely pull in enough money to pay for your bills? Probably not...