DID YOU SEE THE PIECE ABOUT THE CABBIE IN VERMONT WHO DOESN’T CHARGE A FEE? Eric Hagen, of Essex, Vermont wants to do something positive and uplifting in light of the downturn in the economy. He started “Recession Ride Taxi.” Everyone wanted to know if the sign “Pay What You Want!” on the back of his taxi was for real. Well, it is, and Hagen says he hasn’t been shortchanged yet. He offers to pay-what-you-can bottles of water, Gatorade and soda and a free ride after six paid fares.

He tells the Burlington Free Press that business has been good. Most of his transactions are in cash. But he’s also received a CD from a musician and a $10 supermarket card.

The operation is already profitable because it’s just him---a one-man endeavor. His only major expense so far has been taxi insurance.

Hagen has been offering his taxi service Thursday through Sunday nights since June. When he’s not a taxi driver, the 46-year-old Hagen works full time for the American Red Cross, where he sets up blood drives

He sees doing away with prices as a revolutionary form of consumer empowerment: Trust people to be honest and allow them to work within their own means can become the basis of a viable business, he believes---and he seems to be hoping that “Recession Ride” will spark imitators in a wide range of industries. He believes that smaller and more adaptable business models are the wave of the future.

Now there’s a man who believes in the American way—hard work, ingenuity, and generosity. He hopes that he can “give people a break” during tough economic times. A good role model for all of us, don’t you think? With all the greed and corruption on Wall Street, isn’t it refreshing to know that there are still folks out there who put people before money? I say, “Three cheers for Eric!” May his example motivate others to “go and do likewise.”