http://benjacat.blogspot.com/2008/06/freedom-machines.html
I would call a bike a freedom machine. Others call cars freedom machines, including Terence P. Jeffrey. He is a columnist at CNSNews.com whose writings are sometimes published in major newspapers. He recently wrote an article decrying recent threats to the car, and it begins as follows:
Recent evidence that automobile use is declining in America and that some Americans are making significant -- and in some cases not readily reversible -- changes in their lives because of escalating gas prices should be worrisome signs for those who love liberty.
It's a really rosy picture that Mr. Jeffery tries to paint with his writing. However, being the cynic I am, my picture is less bright. Benjacat does a good job in rebutting the "free market" approach taken by Mr. Jeffery, but I have this to add. In addition to the infrastructure costs surrounding automobiles consider the following:
- the cost of the vehicle, depreciation, insurance, licensing, parking, loan or lease payments and interest;
- tires, oil, other maintenance, and repair;
- pollution from the manufacture of, operation of, maintenance of, and disposal of vehicles;
- the cost of vehicle accidents and fatalities from them;
- the increased cost of health care for the obese and sedentary;
- the cost of gasoline itself pales in comparison to the costs incurred by this country by the war in Iraq;
How many hours out of the average person's work day go toward paying for the above expenses? I wonder if anyone has taken the time to accurately calculate the date of a "Automobile Freedom Day" as would relate to Tax Freedom Day?
We Americans need to WAKE UP and realize we don't own our automobiles, OUR AUTOMOBILES OWN US! If you know of existing stats or calculations that determine "Car Freedom Day", please share them. I'm going to continue to Google for them, but there doesn't seem to be a quick answer.
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