Governments often pass laws that are in the interest of the common good, but without acknowledging the cost of change to individuals. For example in 1985 it was legal for marinas to have above-ground fuel tanks (which are cheap and easy to maintain). A few years later the law was overturned requiring all fuel tanks to be below ground. This cost small fishing resorts and marinas a lot of money. But again a few years later, just as many of them were finished paying for the new underground fuel tanks, the law was overturned again. This time the businesses fought back, went to court and sued the government, demanding that only new installations be required to adhere to the new law, that fuel tanks installed before the law was passed be permitted to stay that way. They won.

The fact is the govt passes a lot of unnecessary laws. We have to find a balance between acting for the common good and likely screwing up someone's life, versus doing nothing.

Think about this: If we keep consuming oil the way we are in 15 years Saudi Arabia will be the largest supplier of oil in the world. They seem marginally friendly at the moment, but things can change lightning fast. They could threaten an embargo while invading Israel. They may be nuked in retaliation. The oil would be cut off either way. You see how tenuous a situation this is? Dependancy on foreign oil is America's greatest weakness. A shortage at the pumps would bring the economy to a grinding halt, triggering a recession unlike any previous. People lose their jobs by the millions. All hell breaks lose.

Smaller cars. People need to choose them. Taxes and surcharges are the only equitable way because you can educate people, but Id, Ego, and SuperEgo will always win in the end.