Ramm

fellow man (to use a phrase)? Does wealth give someone the right to kill?

Any well thought out response is appreciated, from any viewpoint.
I am, of course talking about the 99% of SUV/Truck owners that cannot truly justify their choice in vehicle ownership based on environmental and transportation load considerations.
*99% is not an actual figure, but it sounds about right (laugh out loud)
Stygianwolf: I appreciate the labor you exchange for bread in nearly every activity I partake. If it were not for truckers, I would have died from starvation.
People who cannot afford a bigger vehicle and who are not lazy welfare bums do not deserve the same degree of protection that those of luxuriant means can provide?
John: when gas prices go up the workers will not be able to afford "two trucks"
Being a lifeguard requires a decent nights sleep.
Maggie: statistically SUV/Truck drivers drive badly, therefore the burden of of responsibility for increased accidents falls more squarely on your opulent shoulders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_sport_utility_vehicles
So far good responses everyone. I have to go to bed now.
the right to kill, If you slam into a Geo metro after going through a red light while talking on your cell phone in your F-250 what will happen.

My understanding of the Wikipedia page is that because you feel safer by being in a large tall vehicle you are statistically more likely to engage in dangerous driving activities

Now replay the same scenario with cars of equal mass. Equal mass for equal need.

shovelhead_greg

"the right to kill"??? Where is that coming from?
Sure, if they have the money to buy a huge gas guzzling SuV, then i suppose they have the right to advertise to everyone that they are monetarily able to do that. Good for them. The only people that might be impressed are other folks that are into sending the message that they have enough money to waste it. The rest of us think that they are a bunch of douchbags.
But. Its not us they want to impress. "Janis's husband next door bought her an Escalade to take the chihuahua to the vet, So I will need a Hummer to take our precious little snowflake to school in."
Its all a bunch of crap.
Its about rich people showing off, thats all.
We all do it. Just in different ways.
Some people ride thier bicycle everywhere and feel all smug about saving the environment. Thats thier way of showing off
Me, I like to drive around in my old 67 chevy van. Its fairly fuel efficient, but its not very safe. Drum brakes all around and only a big sheet of glass between me and the next bridge abutment. But hey, it makes a statement. Just like those big SUV's make. Just a different statement.
Sometimes you dont really get to choose what you drive. Mostly us poor people. Sometimes you need a truck for work and your finances mean you have to get that ugly 86 nissan. Thats the way it goes. Its not really you, but thats how it is. Thats why I got my van and old ass Harley. not for everyday, but because thats what I would choose to ride everyday if i could. Thats what me feels like to me.
Some people are expensive wasteful people, so they buy expensive wasteful vehicles to parade around in.
Don't we all do that in one way or another?



Okay, I'm still hung up the "right to kill" thing. Your argument is flawed because of the wealth thing. They don't always drive giant SUVs. Sometimes they drive brand new Harleys.
Wearing brand new leathers that have brand new patches sewed on on the back that they dont even understand the signifigance of. Its just to flaunt thier wealth, and maybe a lame attempt to be "cool".

maggie

Both my husband and I drive trucks. We use them for recreational and every day driving. Like most of your responses I would rather be safe in a truck due to the horrible drivers in these small cars that weave in and out of traffic trying to get wherever they're going.

john

I own two trucks and I don't consider myself wealthy?

I use my trucks for hauling, pulling the boat, hunting, and off-roading. I am also a Volunteer Firefighter (seen alot of wrecks) So I'm constantly thinking about the other drivers on the road. I like my truck because I feel safer in it if I were to get in a wreck than I would in a Prius. (I drive and '08 Tundra and an '87 F-150)