Ya, I think so. If you read my paragraph, that sentence was followed immediately by something that actually agrees with you, that the consumer's choices are somewhat limited by what these bean counters you speak of deems profitable.

With that aside, we can all agree that it's all about the marketing, right? Somebody with enough free time and passion should establish a national utility biker's association or something. I mean, they have MTB and road bike grass roots assocations, so why not an organization that will unite the voices of the utilitarian community and promote utility cycling? I searched google and it is practically non-existant here in the States. General bicycle clubs are more or less overrun by the roadie and MTB types.