or how the movie An Inconvient Truth made me act on my guilt.
With all that is happening in the world, my wife and I decided that we needed to be proactive in our support to reduce our carbon impact on the world. We have recently seen the movie – yes you know the one – An Inconvenient Truth and driving to work each day in a low mileage SUV not only has become expensive, it now has the ability to fill a person with guilt. We took a first big step end our guilt and we purchased a hybrid vehicle.
From 12 miles to a gallon to 32 miles is a nearly three to one improvement and that has a dramatic effect on the guilt question around use of hydrocarbons. As I drove the gas guzzler SUV all I could think of was the impact that this act was having on the bigger world picture. My demand for fuel was contributing to a senseless war and an unbelievable loss of life in Iraq. The misery, torture, death and destruction of that country had me in the role of silent partner.
But if a single country devastated by burning of hydrocarbons is not enough, Al Gore had to teach me that I risked the entire planet by my selfish actions in my reliance on fossil fuels. THE ENTIRE PLANET! And the evidence is overwhelming to say the least. But then Meteor Blades was teaching me this long before I saw the movie. Thanks MB! Something had to be done about my guilt and how I felt about all of this. It seemed to me that buying a hybrid was top on the list of action steps for us.
We purchased a Saturn Vue Hybrid this weekend.
Roomier than a Prius – a very important consideration – for sadly some of us buy cars like shoes – they have to fit. For progressives suffering a guilt trip about the environmental impact of vehicle ownership, the Saturn Vue helps relieve this immensely. But you get a "three for the price of one" guilt relief package with a Saturn Vue. First, you get a wonderfully designed and environmentally friendlier vehicle to drive. Check out the link to Saturn and get a good look as this crossover SUV.
Second, you get to buy a domestically produced vehicle – something that has a beneficial effect on our economy. Bonddad – back me up on this one please, but buying domestic cars – especially a hybrid vehicle is a good thing for liberal to do for our economy and our environment. Right? You bet it is!
Third and very important is when you buy a Saturn Vue it is made domestically in proud partnership with the United Auto Workers. Union workers are the backbone of the middleclass of our country and we must do what each of us can by supporting the middleclass. Unions preserve the middleclass more than any other single thing except for a good education (something growing more and more out of reach of average folks).
If you are feeling guilty, I suggest taking pleasure in the purchase of the "threefer" hybrid from Saturn. If you feel like I did afterwards, you will be happy with your choice.