We were jolted when our car lost its power steering as we were pulling away from one of the last stops we were to make that day.  The first thing you fear is that driving, which was possible although quite difficult on the turns, would harm the car further.  We called our Chrysler service and were told to bring the car in.  With our hearts in our mouths we plotted a course that would bring us without too many turns to the location in Hollywood on 441.

It turns out that a hose that was tightly held to a connection by a metal clamp and a key that turned it tighter had given way and the hydraulic fluid was spouting out and the car had no power added to steering the wheel.  It took a little while for the new clamp to connect the parts and fluid poured in and then steam cleaning of the engine to be completed.  And, we drove away with a lecture about the new cars that were coming along and that we could get a good deal if we acted soon.

I remember when power steering became an option on more expensive cars and then standard on all new ones.  This was years and years ago so I had become used to driving with no effort in turning the wheels and tons of vehicles responding effortlessly to my touch.  It was hard but I was able to get the car to where it needed to go even without that power assist.  These days, I would not be without it.  So, I am a sissy but I know of no one who would buy a car without power steering.

In life in all its aspects we need power steering.  There are so many things that we cannot accomplish alone.  We need help and another pair of hands usually are required although I still think in terms of when I did many jobs by myself because it was easier than having to teach the other pair of hands how to do what I did effortless – back then.

There is a curious contradiction in our country which is a creation of 50 states unified around a central government.  In actuality each is a sovereign state within its borders.  Crossing the border is the business of the central government. Village, town, city and county governments all do work that is similar and resent intrusion of the U.S. Government – the dreaded agencies of FBI and CIA and other more secretive groups.  It is interesting to note that the whole power of the U.S.A. is now directed to keeping one brain dead woman alive.

I guess it is the power that is the important thing.  I would like to get power to do the things that need to be done from the sun, wind, water and hydrogen rather than depend on the outmoded internal combustion engine. Meanwhile, I’m glad my power steering was restored.