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Our country is founded on the tenet of free will, so I would never presume to tell someone how to live their life. If an individual wants to drive an SUV, that is their free will. I will, however, respectfully disagree with their purchase on several fundamental levels, and believe it sends some very poor messages.

First, it sends the wrong message to the foreign oil companies. Our country has become way too dependent on Middle East and South American oil interests. Our economy now rises and falls based on news they issue. If oil prices go up, the stock market goes down. This is a dangerous power for foreign interests to hold over our economy. Buying an SUV supports their interests. Further, I believe it confirms exactly what those foreign interests think of us: that above all, Americans are selfish, wasteful uber-consumers who only care about themselves. As a country, we need to prove them. The quickest way to do that is to prove we don't need as much oil from them.

Second, it sends the wrong message to American car builders. In the early 90s, GM had an electric car in production called the EV1. As documented in the film, "Who Killed the Electric Car," even when owners (or, more accurately, lessees, as GM would not allow the car to be sold) were raving about their EV1s, GM discontinued to the car produce, yes, you guessed it: Hummers.

The suits in the boardroom made a monumental, catastrophic error. GM would have been years ahead of Toyota and Honda if they'd have stayed on the sensible path. Unfortunately the wrong decision was made, and the American car industry was left in ruins. Because of the popularity of hybrids, Detroit automakers are finally starting to respond. The only way to keep them on this path is to not support the very vehicles that caused their downfall in the first place.

Third, it sends the wrong message to the environment. Global climate change is clearly a real issue, and the only way we can begin to address it is for everyone to do their part. Whether that means recycling, changing our light bulbs, or riding our bikes when we have a short distance to travel, everyone should begin to care about the environment. A giant, gas guzzling SUV sends the message, "I don't care."

Again, I would never tell someone they couldn't buy an SUV. Instead, I would work to convince them that they simply didn't need it. There are numerous cars available that are just as safe or safer, which consume less gas and emit less pollution. Plus, it will send the right message to your friends, family, and strangers that says, "I care."

Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
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