77-24-B4
- Main Page \ Reagan Radio Commentaries \ 1977
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Automobiles
TranscriptOf late we've been told that America's love affair with the automobile is over, that people want some other method of transportation. True or false? I'll be right back. When rush hour comes it's hard to believe the automobile is on the endangered species list. Still there are those who believe it should be. That it's an anti-humanity tool of destruction, destroying our cities, polluting the atmosphere and threatening us with mayhem and instant death. Now a book has been written defending the motor car. B. Bruce Briggs a young urbanologist at the Hudson Institute think tank has written a book called "The War Against the Automobile." Claiming that the New York publishing industry has marketed dozens of books against the highway in the automobile Bruce Briggs claims his must be the first book to present an argument for the family jalopy. He says we have the best mass transportation system in the world,-our auto-highway complex, and that every country would like to imitate us. Quote "It is the automobile that moves the great mass of Americans," he writes, "yet it is under attack from a number of sources, uninformed and informed, idealistic and selfish." Unquote. A member of what has to be called the intelligentsia he takes on his teammates in that league and accuses them of waging an "upper-class struggle against the standard of living, individual freedom and pride of the great mass of american people." He denies that the automobile is destroyed the cities or the city should be for people not cars; that it has ruined mass transit or is unsafe. And he defends the motor industry against charges that it has suppressed other types of engines in favor of the present kind. He even denies it's the greatest producer of smog. Pointing out that Detroit made seat belts available before Ralph Nader or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were ever heard of he argues that the Safety Administration hasn't made cars any safer than the manufacturers were always making them. In addition he quotes an administration report that no study that has been conducted proves that annual safety inspections prevent accidents. On smog he doesn't claim it's good for us, but he quotes a study with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering that concluded there was no evidence that photochemical oxidants were responsible for any deaths. Bruce Briggs identified the generals in the war against the automobile as a "new class" of intellectuals, journalists, bureaucrats and academics who are anti-materialist and opposed to the basic values of american society. And he declares, quote, "the automobile has been one of the greatest blessings to mankind providing the masses with the mobility and freedom previously reserved for the rich." Unquote. He says, "The new class considers most of the achievements of our society as childish and foolish." Unquote. Well-which side are you on in this "War Against the Automobile." I'll tell you where I stand-I'm going out to the parking lot and give my gas buggy an affectionate pat on the trunk and tell it how much I care. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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