Pop the clutch and don't let go of your stick

Save the manual transmission from extinction. Never mind the global warming or other social health issues, the impending extinction of the manual transmission is the real problem we need to be worried about nowadays. I mean, just imagine a world without the shifting. Is this a world you want to be apart of? If we are going to save the manual we have to work together. Since 1985, the lethargic and dim-witted automatic has slowly taken over the automotive landscape and is threatening to consume the market. Holding the manual afloat these days are national pastimes such as NASCAR and trucking. Some say that because these things are so deeply embedded into our country's culture, the stick shift can never die. However, isn't that what they said about 8-track tapes, Mischa Barton's character in the OC, and (soon to be) Hank Aaron's homerun record?

Luckily, it is not too late. Today, only about 9 percent of new cars and light trucks have manual transmissions. And even though the manual transmission numbers are down, we can reverse this trend and save the manual from extinction. An action you can take is to write to your congressman. Tell her: "Don't let the manual transmission go the way of the Dodo. Please put the manual transmission on the endangered species list.