Despite cost of gas, motorists still driving

Despite cost of gas, motorists still driving

MSNBC says gas at $3.50 to $4 isn't deterring driving, and gets a killer quote that really nails the problem:

“I drive 55 miles each way to work every day,” said Sandy Colden, of Medford, N.J., while loading groceries into her Honda Pilot SUV. “So I really don’t have a choice.”

Sandy, you've made your choices. You choose to drive a big-ass car and you choose to live an obscene distance from your job. Pay up, and I hope it goes even higher.

One can debate the exact dollar amount where driving habits change but here's a couple un-debatable factoids:

The U.S. has the lowest tax on gasoline of any industrialized country.

The U.S. has lower gas prices, even at current rates, than any other industrialized, non-oil exporting country.

People don't recognize that the suburban sprawl, SUV, drive alone, edge city, rolling Walmart warehouse, RV towing a car lifestyle is not "just how it is," it's a choice - a series of millions of little choices, actually.

Steve King, of course, sees a different problem: It's all the environmentalist's fault and conservation is bad.