Just last night, when I went to feed my meter along Wisconsin Ave. in Northwest DC, I observed three disconcerting things: the hours of operation had been extended from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays were now included. And suddenly a quarter only bought eight minutes, whereas once upon a time about a week ago, it bought a luxurious twenty. Scraping together barely enough change to scarf down a quick dinner, my husband remarked that DC must be taking its lead from Bethesda. And indeed, accordi...