Thomas writes
Quote:According to pollingreport.com, about 70% of Americans consider global warming a serious problem. Presumably they would choose a world without it. This means your gas-guzzling, C02-emitting SUVs, your long drives in them, your reluctance to carpool, et cetera, messes with their choices as much as their policy initiatives mess with yours. How are you any better than those "socialists" are?
Did you overlook Okie's point that he drives his gas guzzler 1 mile to work against the 'socialists' 20 miles to work in the roller skate? Which do you think uses the most gas? These are things that must be factored into the equation don't you think?
On the other hand, the contractor who needs his oversized pickup to transport crew to jobsites along with a ton or so of building materials is somehow evil for not using two or three 4-cylinder vehicles that would be necessary for the same job? Ditto for the rural family driving into town for a week's supply of groceries and supplies or the mothers hauling a softball team or ballet troupe to practice.
How many of those 70% of Americans who think "global warming is a serious problem' have done any research at all on this subject? Even as much as members posting on this thread? How many have read past the alarmist headlines in their morning paper? And doesn't the fact that so many of them continue to drive the gas guzzlers suggest the poll may not reflect their true concerns re this issue? There are lots and lots of "roller skates" for sale here too and Americans do have a choice re what they will drive.
While quite a few do drive the 'roller skates' for personal or economic reasons, most Americans also still continue to value personal freedoms including choice rather than have the government dictate what they can and cannot drive.
Why do you think we resist car pooling here? There are park and ride lots all over town for the carpoolers and a large percentage of the hundreds of Albuquerqeans who drive to Santa Fe or Los Alamos to work every day are car pooling. For myself who also logs a lot of miles on an average workday, car pooling isn't an option as nobody else is going where I go to do the work.
Finally how many think the 'serious problem' is something that we need to learn to adapt to live with rather than something we can do anything about? And then there's that other 30 percent who are inclined to believe the world's climate is always changing and we just happen to be in a normal warming cycle at this time.
And out of curiosity, how would Okie's choice to drive a SUV, if he does, possibly affect anybody else's choice in what to drive? And because of the sheer size and affluence of the USA, I would guess if every one of the 200 or so million adults were driving European size cars, we would still be the biggest green house gas offenders and our critics would still be complaining and claiming they are superior to us.
Arrggh, no please. Keep them where they are. We've got enough of our share of socialists here in France.
