Representative Paul Ryan’s budget not such a hit with the masses…

By now you must have seen a talking head on some 24 hour cable news praising the courageous Paul Ryan budget plan. A bill which will fundamentally change the way Seniors utilize the social safety net known as Medicare for future generations, among other things. Ryan and some of his fellow Republicans are finding their vision for America to be a bit of a tough sell.

Rep. Sean Duffy gets a little testy after being challenged on the plan

Here is Rep. Lou Barletta at a very heated town hall meeting.

Paul Ryan now knows what it feels like to play outfield during an away game.

I think Rep. Dan Webster’s constituents are lighting torches and sharpening pitch forks right about now.

Chevy Volt owners average 1,000 miles between fill-ups in March

According to General Motors most Chevy Volt drivers only had to go to the gas station once for the entire month of March. Cristi Landy, Volt marketing director, states that: “Volt owners drove an average of 800 miles between fill-ups since the Volt launched in December, and in March they averaged 1,000 miles. When the majority of miles driven are electrically, gas usage decreases significantly.”

Steve Wojtanek, a Volt user in Boca Raton, FL, said that he is surprised by how infrequently his Volt needs to make pit stops at the gas station. His Volt has more than 3,417 miles on its odometer, with 2,225 of those miles driven under battery power only. Similarly, Volt owner Gary Davis of Greenville, SC has driven his hybrid for 4,600 miles on  a meager 8.4 gallons of gas.

Chevrolet released the following statement:

Going Pump Free: Volt Owners Go 1,000 Miles Between Fill-Ups

Many owners are challenging themselves to see how long they can go gasoline-free

DETROIT – Chevrolet Volt owners made fewer trips to the gas station in March, going an average of 30 days – or nearly a month – between fill-ups. In fact, some Volt owners say they are challenging themselves to see how fuel-efficient they can be by tracking how far and how long they can go without buying gasoline.

“Volt owners drove an average of 800 miles between fill-ups since the Volt launched in December, and in March they averaged 1,000 miles,” said Cristi Landy, Volt marketing director. “When the majority of miles driven are electrically, gas usage decreases significantly.”

“I am surprised how infrequently I go to the gas station. It’s become a game to achieve as many miles as I can in EV mode,” said Steve Wojtanek, a Volt buyer in Boca Raton, Fla. “I have made it my goal to drive as efficiently as possible and I am seeing the results, with more than 3,417 miles under my belt – of which 2,225 are EV miles.” A Volt owner since December, Wojtanek is averaging 122 miles per gallon and visiting the gas station about once a month.

“On April 11, I had to buy gas for the first time since filling up on Jan. 9,” said Volt owner Gary Davis of Greenville, S.C. “In my Volt I’ve driven 4,600 miles on 8.4 gallons of gas. That’s an impressive 547 mpg that I am achieving with my Volt.”

“Today in the U.S., 80 percent of drivers commute fewer than 40 miles a day, making the Chevy Volt a great daily driver,” said Landy. “We’re hearing from customers like Steve Wojtanek and Gary Davis, who are seeing great daily results.”

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. On a fully charged battery and tank of gas, the Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles. Because the Volt can use gasoline to create its own electricity in extended-range mode, long trips are possible. Typical electric driving range is 25-50 miles depending on temperature, terrain, driving technique and battery age. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine-generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range until the vehicle can be recharged.

Rhode Island’s House minority leader Robert Watson nabbed at sobriety checkpoint…

Back in February House Minority Leader Robert A. Watson, R-East Greenwich, made headlines when he made the following bizarre remark about Guatemalan-Americans at a Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce meeting: “I suppose if you’re a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot, you probably think that we’re onto some good ideas here.

Watson refused to apologize for the comment saying “I apologize when appropriate and/or necessary, I identify this situation as representing neither circumstance.”

Now it looks as if Representative Watson is at it again, making headlines this time around for being stopped and subsequently arrested at a sobriety check point. Mr. Watson was charged with driving-under-the-influence and marijuana-possession charges. According to a police report Watson was stopped at the Foxon Road checkpoint at about 9:30 p.m. and was slurring his words. Authorities say he smelled of marijuana and had the “distinct odor of alcoholic beverages emanating from his breath,”. Watson failed several field sobriety tests and reportedly told officers that he was an attorney and that he does these tests with his friends while out at bars. After being placed under arrest a pat down revealed a small, plastic bag of pot and a wooden pipe in Watson’s pocket.

In a televised statement Watson said he uses marijuana to treat flare-ups of the pancreatitis that landed him in the hospital last November. Watson also added:

“I confess I did treat with marijuana on one of those rare occasions where I had that debilitating pain that literally had me flat on my back and wondering at what point do I decide an ambulance comes and takes me away. And I’ve got to confess it worked. It provided relief. And it alleviated the pain.”