Public transportation is not an option in many places because of the distances involved, not to mention that the American car culture is too well developed. Our American push toward centralizing such activities as shopping, entertainment, etc. has made it essentially impossible to do more than survive without a car.

Myself, I laugh when I hear the Stupid Useless Vehicle drivers bitch about the cost of gas. I even asked one who held the gun to his head to force him to buy his 12 mpg Excursion.