Praying for Devastation of Large Vehicle Resale Value...
Well, I'd say it was forcefull. I'll give you that.
In the scenario you put forth with all the SUV drivers trading in their big rigs for Civics, it sure would be better for visibilty, for parking, for the environment, for decreasing US oil consumption as well as wear and tear on the roads; I guess that is comforting.
you said:
"A gas crunch, not only would it have potentially catastophic consequenses on the economy, it would devastate resale values of larger vehicles. "
I gotta tell ya, that cracked me up. Anyone with me? Devastated resale values on gas guzziling behemoths? If that was phrased instead as:
"after the gas crunch, no one will want new or used SUVS anymore"
then yes, that is part of my dream.
Okay, so we have different dreams, opinons and priorites. Fine.
Combining your opinons expressed here and in the excellent pro/anti SUV argument thread after Burns' article "Friday Fanatacism" (4/12/02) I can see that:
*)you don't get why people see SUVs as gluttonous and wasteful: "I cannot believe this anti SUV thing to begin with"
*)you boast of your boat with a "Supercharged intercooled big block ($100 a day in gas cost),"
*)you advocate that others "come over to the Dark Side, were having fun!"
I'm not advocating outright prohibition of SUVs and big loud fast boats, and don't wish to have the gubmint legislate away gluttony. You have your dreams and ambitions, I have mine. Reinstating the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and giving that legislation teeth, and taxing gas to support a national effort to kick the US's addiction to middle eastern oil would still let you persue your right to the rapid persuit of happiness, and be for the greater good.
I realize advocating long term thinking and a retreat from gluttony is quixotic in the current climate. (I think Custer deserved to be massacred, so I won't use your example,)
The US has a chance right now to lead the way (again), to show the world the path from oil dependence with our R&D capabilities to develop alternatives and increase efficiency. Oilmen in the whitehouse and ever more, ever larger SUVS on the roads here showcases our failure to do so, and it enrages me. Sound socialist? With GDubs in office, and **** "Bum-Ticker" Cheney telling him what to do, you got the oil men in your corner running the big show.
But ever so many scientists are joining the consensus that that climate is going to get warmer and warmer; it seems plausible that the house of cards relationship we have with OPEC will eventually crumble, especially if we kick sadaam's ass again against all the Arab world's wishes.
It is not news to me that I'm "outnumbered" by the masses that disagree with my opinions. I take that as a badge of pride, just as I do the fact that I ride and the vast majority of people don't.
I won't come over to "the dark side."
I believe history will show the minority was right.
