Off the beaten path

Jan. 1, 2020

Political action is analogous to war. In a political action battle, you marshal your troops and your allies into coalition forces, deploy weapons and special forces into a campaign that includes skirmishes and battles in which there will ultimately be winners and losers, and the outcome of the conflict can be economic domination or ideological advancement. Although the bulk of proposed legislation does not rise to this level of effort, when faced with a frontal assault by your opponents — you better be prepared to go to war.

NORM PLOTKIN, LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE, PLOTKIN, ZINS & ASSOCIATES

Survey says: Green cars boost drivers' appeal with opposite sex

Enviro-geeks, rejoice! Not only is driving a cutting-edge hybrid vehicle good for the environment, it just might do wonders for your social life.

According to a study conducted by General Motors as part of this year's Challenge X competition, nearly nine out of 10 women (88 percent) report they'd rather be chatted up by a man who owns the latest fuel-efficient car, versus a man who owns a trendy sports car. Eighty percent of Americans (men and women) admit that they would find someone with the latest fuel-efficient car more interesting to talk to at a party than someone with the latest sports car. And more than four out of 10 (45 percent) of 18- to 43-year-olds say it's a fashion faux pas to have a car that's not environmentally friendly.

So forget about the cheesy pick-up lines and suave come-ons: a Prius may be all you need to boost your popularity with the opposite sex.