In the spirit of cohesion, or something
How about this…
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about issues we on the right can agree with people on the left. Admittedly, in the last year it seems like there’s almost nothing we agree upon. But I’m sick of the nastiness. I still think the left is wrong, wrong, wrong, but I’d much rather the differences be about the issues rather than prejudice (i.e. “dumb redneck” red-staters, etc.). OF COURSE it’s fun to be snarky, and I doubt that’s going to change, at least as far as I’m concerned.
Anyway, one issue that’s become of greater interest to me that we CAN work together on is our dependence on oil. The left looks at it as an environment over oil-industry issue, and we on the right (or at least I) look at it as an America over Middle East oil-dependence issue. In the end, if we can reduce our dependence on oil, we all get the result we want–less money in the hands of the insane and corrupt oil-rich Arab nations (who despite some of them being our “friends”–i.e. Kuwait–all still have the basic goal of pushing Israel into the sea and furthering anti-American, theocratic systems of government), which will please not only conservatives but MOST Americans, and also giving the environmentalist left something they want.
How do we do this?
I don’t advocate regulating the auto industry or increasing taxes or any other anti-business tactics. What I do think, though, is that WE, on the right — proud SUV owners that so many of us are (OK, I don’t have one myself, but you know who you are) — ought to rethink our buying strategy when new-car shopping. YES, I KNOW that SUVs are convenient and all that. I had one way back in the late 80’s/early 90’s myself, before everyone and their dog had one. But do you REALLY NEED one? I go pick up my daughter every day after school, and seriously, there are about three cars in a sea of SUVs. There’s no need for a four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle on the Gulf Coast, people. It doesn’t snow here. And I’m pretty sure FEW of those SUVs — especially all the Lexuses and other high-end ones — ever see off-road time, either.
Another thing: Is there something SO bad about hybrid cars, besides the boring factor? (Why can’t auto manufacturers make a REASONABLY respectable hybrid? I mean, I’d drive one myself now but they’re sooo bland and boring. OK, well, the main reason I’m not driving one is that I’m not driving anything new, period.)
Anyway, I’m not criticizing SUV owners. I like SUVs too, but I just won’t drive something that drinks gas faster than a frat pledge with a beer bong. It KILLS me that every time I put gas in my car (with a dismal 25 mpg) I know it’s putting money in the hands of someone, somewhere, who hates my guts as an American. Am I alone in this? Am I the only one who’s thinking this?
I know this isn’t a terribly timely post, because right now isn’t a time everyone’s rushing out to buy a new vehicle. It’s just something to think about. I’ll be writing more on this in the future as things catch my eye and I do more research to further the topic.
Unless…you can convince me I’m wrong. I dare you.
[Duh, an update already. Guess I should have done my Google search first. Hybrid SUVs and more are coming.]
MaxedOutMama says:
I agree about using fuel-efficient cars (and I buy them), but safety is a concern for a lot of parents. And then a lot more is needed than fuel-efficient cars. We will probably need to get serious about nuclear power and also look at developing ways to burn coal cleanly, of which we have vast reserves.
I think we as a country have made a number of poor energy choices. We must develop a better energy policy.
Nice blog.
Beth says:
You are SOOOO right about that. In fact, I drive a Volvo for that very reason. I’m waiting for a Volvo-safe hybrid to give up my no-car-payment days!
skh says:
Until electric-generation plants are nuclear powered, hybrid cars don’t do a damned thing but shift the pollution from your tailpipe to a smokestack somewhere. I can’t remember what law of physics it is, but it takes the same amount of energy (or work) to get a hybrid car going down the highway than it does to get an SUV (assuming of course, that both have the same mass–which hybrid cars/SUVs will eventually have since nobody, except eco-weenies, wants to drive around in a balsa-wood pedal car). Most of our ‘juice’ is currently produced by coal- and oil-fired plants, which means peace of mind to dimfuck Greenies, since if they can’t see it, it doesn’t exist (unless, of course, we’re talking about GLOBAL WARMING, which isn’t happening and in fact, doesn’t exist, but pants pissing libtards take that one on faith).
I have no doubt that technology will create a better way to travel in the future. The hybrid vehicle ain’t it, though. Soothing the last firing synapse of mentally retarded liberals does no lasting good. Just say no to hybrid autos!