Just Sayin': Standardize leases among car dealers

Leasing a car is a complicated financial transaction with a multitude of moving parts. This can include such things as the amount of down payment, mileage allowed, residual value, lease term, bank fees, etc. For the average consumer, it all can be confusing and misleading.

I recently saw three different ads for the same car from different dealerships. One lease cost $229 per month, another $149 a month and a third was $317. All had small print that included different conditions.

Why can’t we force dealers to “standardize” their terms with a set yardstick of conditions? We do this in grocery stores with unit pricing. Shouldn’t it also be done with automobile leasing since it is among the largest deals that consumers make? Only then might the dealers’ “games” be put to an end and folks could make intelligent, informed decisions.

— Jeff Schwartzberg, Jericho

Wisdom out of the mouth of a child

As Black History Month ended on the last day of February, the first day of March was special: my son’s birthday. These two days are linked in a simple way.

My son became an avid baseball fan around his seventh birthday. He had learned that a legendary player was not welcome at first to the major leagues due to some vague concept related to his skin color. He asked if I could help him understand.

I attempted to choose age-appropriate words regarding racism. I explained that sometimes people do not accept others simply because they have dark skin. For this reason, I told him that many fans and players did not want Jackie Robinson to play Major League Baseball. With a confused look and sad tone, my son replied, “That doesn’t make any sense.”

He did not say, “That’s not fair” or “That is wrong.” Racism didn’t require deep understanding and prolonged discussion for my son to understand.

His words have stayed with me 25 years later. For the rest of this year and beyond, I would like to think that we all could consider racism from the vantage point of a 7-year-old. It doesn’t make any sense.

— Joseph Danenza, East Meadow

Make cars that must have lights on at night

Almost every night while traveling on Long Island roads, we see cars being driven without their headlights or taillights turned on. This dangerous situation is not acceptable but is correctable.

Automobile manufacturers have the technology to build cars that can reach 180 mph. So they must have the technology to build cars that cannot be driven at night without headlights or taillights turned on. The Department of Transportation should make this mandatory.

— John R. Brooks, West Gilgo Beach