In a free market, capitalist society WE ARE ALL POLICY MAKERS. When you vote for someone (or don't vote at all) you are endorsing someone's policy. When you buy products and services, you endorse that company's labor and environmental practices, whether those practices are good or bad.
If you've read my posts, you'd know I don't have a problem with SUVs. It's gas hogs and our government subsidizing them. Detroit and Japan already have SUVs that are safer and get 40-50 miles a gallon on the drawing board. But why bother to build them when (1) government doesn't make automakers do it and (2) the consumer doesn't demand it. Owning an SUV, given all its negatives (especially Middle East oil dependence), when there are clearly alternatives and when the vast majority of drivers have no compelling reason to own one, I believe is irresponsible.
As far as natural Republican arguments, I've got one -- states rights. California recently passed legislation requiring automakers to make SUVs sold there to pollute less. This is being opposed by the automakers (of course) on the grounds that the federal government, not states, should regulate auto emissions (bogus, since Cali has always been ahead of the federal government with its own legislation). The Bush administration has filed a brief to support the auto industry?s position. This is plain and simple hypocrisy.
Of course, this probably shouldn't be unexpected since Bush went to the Supreme Court to overrule Florida's right to run its own election. But hey, we all agree that's been settled so why do others bother to keep BRINGING IT UP.
As far as safety, I worry about it a lot more than you do, and I have a right to. I live in one of those high profile cities that terrorists would love to target. If anyone posting here (outside of the troops going to the Middle East) is likely to be hit with a terrorist NBC attack, it's me. Given what the President has told the American public about how dangerous Saddam is (which is really nothing), I'm willing to take my chances if it prevents American troops and Iraqi civilians from losing their lives.
As far as putting a price on freedom, we can do that. If we want to liberate Iraq (and make autumn feel secure) it will cost from $120 billion to $1.6 trillion (and an unknown number of American and Iraqi lives). Any volunteers are welcome to pay my share.
PS ? I?ve thought a lot about this issue. I?ve come from a beginning posture of supporting a war against Iraq to opposing it at this time. I take this issue seriously. I challenge everyone reading this post to challenge your beliefs (pro or against) with some research and thought. When I read stuff like ?I worry about little Timmy?s safety,? ?it?s the freedom you enjoy to say that? or ?who cares how much it costs? to refute what I believe, then you haven?t done your homework. You need to resort to bromides because you don?t have a logical rationale for your argument to stand on.
Don?t bother with trying to call me out to debate you. If you can?t refute what I say with some rational arguments, I?m going to ignore you.
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"What would Jesus drive?"
Duh. A truck -- Jesus was a carpenter.
