all 4 comments

[–]Oof_Too_Humid 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Interesting read. Most of this article covers ways in which regulations and our tax dollars pay to incentivize and reward private car ownership.

In the U.S, (if you don't live in somewhere like NYC), you are really screwed if you don't have your own car. Recently, as I drove across a local bridge, I was thinking they should re-name it "Poor People's Bridge" because I see more and more people who are obviously poor and/or mentally ill walking across the bridge to get to and from a supermarket. Those poor fuckers. How do they ever get enough money to buy a car, register it and insure it? You need halfway decent income for that - but to get that income you need to get to and from a job - and for that you need a car. That is a rough situation.

[–]Censored_Scrotum 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

This is a 100% factually proven conspiracy (mostly General Motors).

Public transit was intentionally bought up, and dismantled.

Taken for a Ride

[–]Drewski 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I agree that there was / is a conspiracy against public transportation, manufactured by lobbyists for big oil, automobile manufacturers, and other related industries. And with the petrodollar being a primary means of financial control, it stands to reason that they'd encourage consumption.

The author criticizes the "sprawling landscape that zoning has created" and the basic need for an automobile living in America. I think he's neglected the basic fact that living in a rural area is going to require transportation, which really can't be provided by public transit.

Another important thing he didn't mention is the freedom and autonomy provided by the personal vehicle. With public transit you are fixed to a set timetable and route, and there may be areas that you can't get to. Having a car lets you go wherever you want whenever you want (well, as long as there's a road), something we often take for granted. I think in the future there will be a big push to move people to self-driving cars, initially through insurance hikes and propaganda ("who would be selfish enough to risk other people's lives with a manually driven car?") which will attempt to take away that autonomy.

[–]Jesus 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Well when UN 2030 roles out in full swing rural emigration to megacities will be mandatory.