Dear Ann Landers,
am twenty years old (boy) and have a driver's license but nothing to drive. For three years I have been asking my folks for a car. They say, "Go out and earn it." It is hard to get a job when you don't have a car. I've had six jobs since I dropped out of high school. None of them lasted very long. One of the problems is I can't get to work on time. If I had a car the problem would be solved. When I am working I give my folks fifteen dollars a week room and board. Now they don't get anything. So you can see it would 29 be better for them if they bought me a car, too. It isn't as if they can't afford it. Both my parents are working and together they make $12,000 a year. I am not asking for a Rolls-Royce. Any make will do. Please give me a hand.-Need Wheels

Dear Wheels,
A kid who can't get to work on time on public transportation is not likely to do better if he has his own car. He'd probably do worse. My advice: Forget about a car and concentrate on a high-school diploma. Either go back to school or take night courses. Dropouts are a problem to society, to their families, and to themselves. Right now you need education-not wheels.