Republican here. My purchase of a hybrid was an economic decision, not an environmental one. I don't run around gratuitously polluting, but I'm not in a financial position to be able to afford a significant "hybrid premium".

From a nationalist/patriotic standpoint, I think the increase in gas prices is a GOOD thing for the country by making hybrids a better investment, and making it more financially feasible to explore domestic oil resources and develop alternative technologies such as fuel cells, all of which can eventually lead to a reduction in dependence on foreign energy sources.

As I pointed out in another thread where a student is doing research, I don't think that members of the gh.com community (and thus respondents to your poll) consist of a statistically random sample. Take that into account when you draw your conclusions, as the demographic will probably be skewed.

 

I agree with tbone526 that high fuel prices are probably a good thing. In Europe, where gas and diesel have been priced at well over $6 per gallon for years and where larger engines are taxed, they have developed an admirable small car culture--not to mention a fantastic rail system built in-part with gasoline taxes. I'm sorry for all the laid-off workers tied to SUV and pickup reliant Ford-GM-Chrysler. But if the domestic auto industry is to survive it needs to get very serious, very quickly about hybrid, electric, natural gas, hydrogen, etc., engines. Incidentally, I appreciate the civil debate on issues like this between Dems and Republicans. It is healthy.

 

Mostly a Republican voter here also.
And I agree wholeheartedly with tbone (and have said so many times before), that higher fuel prices are good for the technology. If gas were still at $1.50 a gallon, we'd not be seeing the kind of progress that is happening today. It's painful to our wallets, but good will come of it in the end.

 

Conservation is fundamentally "Conservative".

 

Conservative and have grown to know and understand that we must take care of the earth. Hybrids are only one way to do that, but not something the left has invented. I think the whole idea of hybrids owners being only Democrats is ...... just another falicy.
I believe we must all look for more ways to not fall into the "consumer" category.

 

I hate to tell you but I am a conservative, gun toting, chainsaw owning (3 of them), hunter, fisherman, hater of all things socialistic, and the only things green that I really care about are the greenbacks in my wallet and the greens in my salad.

 

Usually the Scientific Method begins with a question, followed by a statement which can be proved or disproved. So, as we wend our way through the survey, the results will either prove the assumption, or not.

That said, environmental considerations may be the only or one of several reasons for owning a hybrid. My first consideration was the price of gas.

I am a Democrat if for no other reason than I've been a union member, and support union goals. More money for us, and a belief that health care is right not a privilege and that paying income tax is a patriotic duty.

I too served in USAF. I do not think the President is my Commander-in-Chief, tho he once was. Nor do I think he is omniscient and receives his direction from God.

"Into the air junior birds men/Into the air,upside down/. . ."

 

Democrat here, have been for a long time.

 

I'm kinda of glad the poll was leaning Republican before the election and don't care afterwards. By leaning Republican, we may have avoided a bunch of political nonsense postings. <grins>

Seriously, it isn't politics, it is common sense to own a hybrid. We've seen the price of gas triple over the time periods hybrids have been available. Mileage is not political, it is pocket-book economics.

We buy gas to burn it up. For some, they might as well burn their gas cash for all the good it does them.

Bob Wilson

 

I think with a larger sample the results would be much different. Not to get into political nonsense postings...whatever you mean by that.