You Go Boy, Drop That Pump

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

Good job reinforcing the negative stereotype, there.



You are right: the H2 really isn't the issue, here, although I have no idea what anti-government liberals have to do with it, either. (?) Gas guzzling SUVs are a drop in the bucket compared to the overall excessive American lifestyle and the refusal to live efficiently -- high gas prices are going to bite people in many more aspects besides their commute. The vehicle is the most easily noted example in people's lives and the easiest to see a direct connection. Environmental issues aside, a switch for many would be good. Even in this most obvious aspect, people aren't doing it despite the tax on their bank account and the stubbornness bewilders the rest of us.

I'm really interested as to why so many people, especially the complainers, are so resistant to switching. I have a whole crew of people at my office that exclusively drive pickup trucks and will not consider switching to a small vehicle. They:

...are not contractors or construction workers.
...do not regularly haul equipment or supplies.
...do not haul a trailer.
...are most often the only thing the truck is hauling.

Despite all of these points, each of them notes they have no plans to drive anything other than a pickup now or in the future. The high cost of gasoline has been enough to push several of them into financial difficulty because of long commutes to the point that one has been lamenting that he might "actually have to switch to a closer church" rather than the one he prefers. Do people think the soaring cost of fuel is temporary? Are all of these deluded drivers waiting for the impossible day the government does something to reduce the price of gas?

The "stereotype" goes both ways. The one giving the finger is making assumptions (big assumptions) about the said driver of the Hummer by flipping the finger. The said driver feels the idiot should be driven off the road for flipping the finger and making assumptions.

We got rid of our H2 after 2 years more for practical reasons than because we did not like the truck. I have driven a PU since 1998 and will never be without one. I need it mostly to pull a boat and trailer with a combined weight of nearly #5000. There really is no incentive to drive anything else. They are comfortable and useful for numerous things. I have a Crew Cab so it can take my whole family or kids and friends or me and the wife or just me when I drive to and from work. We are not deluded drivers (another assumption). The price of gas is painful but an extra $20 or $30 a week is really not that much for me so I am not about to trade in the truck I love to drive because of a increase in gas by $1 per gallon. When it gets to $8 or $10 I may re-consider, but maybe not. If someone is stretching the cash flow to put food on the table because a small increase in gas I would suggest they have a priority problem.

I am thinking about trading in for a new truck now but may wait as in 08 they are coming out (finally) with some F-150's with diesel engines, or I may just go with the full sized Toyota.


I am not contractors or construction workers.
I do not not regularly haul equipment or supplies.
I do haul a trailer a few times each month.
Most often the only thing the truck is hauling is me.
It all comes back to my original point, how is it that a fairly liberal minded mass of people want to bitch and moan about everything government and how their liberties are being effected then turn right around and tell me what I can or cannot buy and spend my money on in a truck I choose to drive?