SnakeDoctor
Super Freak
Cute.
The problem is, safety, common sense, and 'the environment' rarely point in the same direction. The safest option is typically the biggest, heaviest vehicle you can get. The 'common sense' option is the vehicle that fits your lifestyle best. The 'environmental' option is often difficult to discern ... but, you're typically looking at size, noise and fuel efficiency (though I'm not convinced that charging an electric car is much better than burning gasoline).
The question isn't "safe, common sense and environmental" vs. "I'll drive what I want." The question is, "safe, common sense, or environmental -- which do you want?" That's where the 'freedom' aspect comes in. You get to pick your own priorities ... and tell people who want you to prioritize differently to shove it.
I prioritize safety (weight, particularly), ground clearance, carrying capacity and engine power over efficiency and emissions. And, to me, utility is "common sense". I want a vehicle that can do everything from commute, to family vacations, to hauling, to towing, to off-roading. It floods around here a good bit, so I want vehicles that're high enough off the ground that a foot-and-a-half of water isn't going to be lapping over the hood. I have a family of five and we don't fly ... so I need cab space and luggage-capacity for long trips. We haul and tow things occasionally, so I want engine power. I have a long commute, so I want an engine that can take a lot of miles without wearing out (there's a reason long-haul truckers use diesel engines).
All of that matters more to me than the judgment of environmentalists. Sure, all things being equal, I prefer fuel efficiency to fuel inefficiency. But, all things are not equal. I have to choose. A small, efficient vehicle that doesn't fit my family or my purpose, or a vehicle that does everything I want it to do, and that will protect my family in the worst case scenario ... but that burns a bit more fuel. I choose the latter. That makes 'common sense' to me. With those purposes in mind, we drive a Suburban and a Diesel Dodge Ram.
You're welcome to disagree, and drive whatever car you want. But, don't expect me to conform to your priorities. I have my own.
SnakeDoc
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. Live & learn...
