Why the salt paranoia? Isn't that a little overrated?

I was born in Miami FL, lived there most of my life, only moved to the Pacific Northwest recently. I've lived in houses down there a block away from the ocean. I've cycled in the Everglades, and I've cycled in the Florida Keys.

When I was a teenager, I rode a steel Peugot 10-speed down there until the components were shot, but it wasn't rust, just wear. I've driven many STEEL cars and trucks down there, and never had the problems I've heard about from people driving cars on salted winter roads in New England. I wouldn't think twice about "salt issues" on a steel frame down there. Rust never sleeps, but it does move very slooooow, unless you're forcing it into your frame and components like a Northern commuter on salted roads.

P.S. the salt issue aside... I'm enjoying reading this thread, and have nothing personally against low-cost transportation.