I'm sorry, but your invitation to contribute has me blabbing ..

Johan's mention of safety and reliability is spot on. I would also mention that the Prius is a luxury car in disguise for a few thousand dollars over base.GPS, 6 airbags, bluetooth, climate control, smart entry/start, HID headlights, Premium audio, integrated steering wheel/screen controls, two-way voice .. I am probably forgetting other things.

I think most Americans, when they take a moment to think about it, realize that dependence on foreign oil is a prescription for political turmoil, terrorism, war, and US economic decline. Exploiting Alaska is a band-aid, when the problem is hemmorhage. Hybrids like the Prius allow, by a huge stretch, the most meaningful individual contribution to improving this problem while requiring miminal financial or personal sacrifice.

The decreased expenses at the pump, coupled with state and federal incentives, offset most or more of the up-front cost of the car compared to just about any other new car purchase * (depending on the price of gas over the coming years), effectively allowing every car driver to contribute to a clean environment, a safer country, and a healthier economy -- all for free or at a profit. Hybrids are the best thing in cars since the horse & buggy. It is like the local utility offering you a choice of electric from coal or wind at the same price. A very, very, easy choice.

* In the Prius' case, the hybrid powertrain adds about $3000 US to the car's price -- about 13%. Since gas expenses will decrease about 50% for most owners compared to purchasing a new, similar but conventional car, if your monthly gas expenses are 26% of your monthly payment for the non-hybrid contender, you will break even money wise *from day 1*. Once the car is paid off, hybrid ownership saves you money every time you go to the pump.

Another price calculation in a similar vein is to figure out the monthly cost to finance the hybrid tech, and see how that compares to monthly gas savings. $3000 US amortized over 5 years at 4% costs $55.25 a month. When you save 50% on your gasoline bill, that $55 is recouped *easily* for many people. As an example, my wife and I have two cars, but for the most part 'car-pool' together, putting about 1500 miles/month on the Prius, equal to 30 gallons of gas a month. At current pump prices we save 30 gallons * $2.25/gallon = $67.50 a month. If gas goes up to $3/gallon and stays there (a distinct possibility), we save $90 a month, a 163% ROI *profit* for being a good citizen.