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What you need to understand is that Americans enjoy their cars. For most, it's not just an appliance to get from point A to point B. Cars have always provided a feeling of freedom, an outlet of expression, and just a plain sense of fun for Americans. Who is the federal government to strip this away by taking away choice? Stripping away people's freedoms one at a time was not the vision of government when this country was created and they have no right to restrict people to only one car.
Believe it or not, sports cars are a huge hobby for many people. From going to a roadcourse, dragstrip, autocross to car shows and cruises is a passion for so many that you may never understand.
Now you have hit my button...you DO need to reread my posts. I have been a car guy for longer than most will ever be. My years in the Automotive world, books I have authored, many vintage cars I had collected,vintage racing, drags, land Speed records,ground up restored and improved, and then toured in all over North America, including Alaska and all the Canadian provinces will prove I DO know what I am talking about. As an Automotive Historian I have gained the respect for what we have accomplished since the first automobile came out of a back roads shop, trying with all their might to improve and to create the best Europe had to offer. It all started there...we took it from there and became the leader in Transportation...once we got some roads worthy of driving on.
I am not tooting my horn, I have only done what a lot passionate car folks have , its just that I have put my mouth, my money, sweet,time in to the hobby I now look back on with great memories.
That smaller less powerful engines and smaller cars was tried in the 70's embargo and people hated it;quickly turning from it as soon as possible. The SUV craze was likely started with that really.So much so that the big 3 almost excusively became makers of traucks and SUVs.Tose that did brought about the mini van .
You don't give people "opportunity" by telling them they are free to rip off whomever is dumb enough to be a victim. You give them opportunity by providing universal education, health care, nutrition,basic infrastructure, so those who can excel will excel.
My father works with both high level government and locals who work the pipeline.
Some people will do well no matter what environment they're put in.
Yeah, life in socialist countries is fantastic, I grant you, for those who value security more than opportunity.
p.s. Your opinion of what sucks and mine must vary greatly.
My father works with both high level government and locals who work the pipeline.
In other words, people who have jobs. Jobs that pay among the highest wages in the country.
Quote:
Some people will do well no matter what environment they're put in.
Some is not good enough. Some people doing well is what you have in Somalia. ALL people will do as well as they can, if you see that all are decently housed and fed, and get health care, and are educated to their full potential. You don't build your society and economy on what SOME people might do. Because, if free to do so, some people will find legal ways to become thieves. Transferring wealth to yourself merely because you are free to do so is not, in my book, the highest calling. But these are the "some people" you wish to reward and adulate for "doing well".
That smaller less powerful engines and smaller cars was tried in the 70's embargo and people hated it;quickly turning from it as soon as possible. The SUV craze was likely started with that really.So much so that the big 3 almost excusively became makers of traucks and SUVs.Tose that did brought about the mini van .
Actually, big SUVs were , and are, warmed over pick-up trucks.They were less costly to build and demanded lower prices than the standard automobile.All this could be done quite eassly because of the seperate body and chassis instead of a unibody, as most cars were getting. The auto industry saw that by adding some bells and whistles, they could inflate the cost of a Suburban for example, quite a lot. There was big profit in doing what was done...it all started from there. It was not the Public that cryed for the SUV , it was the the marketing, of the Giants like Ford and GM that put the idea in the heads of the public. It was pure marketing, and it worked well. The best example I can think of is the now gone mass produced Hummer , a Tahoe chassis , with a semi-custom body, at a big price and profit.
In other words, people who have jobs. Jobs that pay among the highest wages in the country.
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They also hang out with service people, local farmers, etc.
I'm definitely going to believe the word of a guy (and my mother, who actually leans socialist) over that of one who read something and now thinks he can draw conclusions about an entire society he's never been near.
There barely was a middle class until the oil boom that resulted from getting control over their own natural resources. Now it's huge and thriving.
Keep talking about Somalia...capitalism isn't their problem...their problem has a lot more to do with culture. The same culture would use socialism as a way to keep the populace under their thumbs not unlike many southeast asian countries.
Maybe I don't exactly understand what you're proposing. If I have it wrong, please correct me.
With the "people's car" proposal, would it be a choice to buy it or would it be mandatory? Only one model would be available for everyone?
I honestly think it's great that, like me, you've have a passion for cars and have had many great memories on the road. However, I think that this should be even more of a reason to not place more restrictions on what people drive. The younger generation deserves to have just as much freedom in choosing different cars as you or anyone else did. If someone wants to buy as nice, fast, flashy car as they can afford..who are we to take that away? Choice is what makes being a car enthusiast interesting and memorable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by darstar
Now you have hit my button...you DO need to reread my posts. I have been a car guy for longer than most will ever be. My years in the Automotive world, books I have authored, many vintage cars I had collected,vintage racing, drags, land Speed records,ground up restored and improved, and then toured in all over North America, including Alaska and all the Canadian provinces will prove I DO know what I am talking about. As an Automotive Historian I have gained the respect for what we have accomplished since the first automobile came out of a back roads shop, trying with all their might to improve and to create the best Europe had to offer. It all started there...we took it from there and became the leader in Transportation...once we got some roads worthy of driving on.
I am not tooting my horn, I have only done what a lot passionate car folks have , its just that I have put my mouth, my money, sweet,time in to the hobby I now look back on with great memories.
Maybe I don't exactly understand what you're proposing. If I have it wrong, please correct me.
With the "people's car" proposal, would it be a choice to buy it or would it be mandatory? Only one model would be available for everyone?
I honestly think it's great that, like me, you've have a passion for cars and have had many great memories on the road. However, I think that this should be even more of a reason to not place more restrictions on what people drive. The younger generation deserves to have just as much freedom in choosing different cars as you or anyone else did. If someone wants to buy as nice, fast, flashy car as they can afford..who are we to take that away? Choice is what makes being a car enthusiast interesting and memorable.
That was my point, choice. We could get to a point where cars , as we have known them will no longer exist.... The " peoples car" concept I have been proposing for some time now , is all about choice. No mandates. Henry Ford was never the only car maker in the US , He did not invent anything , just found a way to give the masses transportation. Thats what I propose, again., and with the efforts of all the car companies, Government, and investors.... As long as we are trying to develope alternative energy, we can also develope a car, that would be a "super car", for the World. Exports, a new concept these days. My guess is , it would be standardized, one model, could be built by any company as long as it met uniform strict standards. It could be cutting edge electric, or fuel cell, or water vapor powered, who knows what American ingenuity could accomplish. If we can go to the Moon , we can build a super car.
Canada and Europe sound great until you actually go and see how the average person lives and how much oppoturnity they DON'T have...besides, their socialist programs are self-imploding and private sector is flourishing. Socialism is not sustainable because eventually the needy parasites outgrow the people who can support them.
All you had to do was go to the USSR to realize how crappy life can be under a communist/socialist regime (which I did).
Actually I live quite fantastically in a socialist country.
With an engineering degree you'll still make $80k+ a year, and you have every opportunity to have success if you're willing to work for it.
Good thing is that Schools are free, so anyone who has the brains for it, has the opportunity to get there, and if they don't, well, you can still make $60-80k a year working a warehouse or being a machine operator etc.
You should probably take your own advise and not talk too much about countries you haven't lived in.
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