How can you claim liberals are reducing you freedom when a conservative congress with a conservative president has taken away more civil liberties in 6 years the liberals have in a couple generations? I personally have VERY rarely heard people wanting to ban SUV's, but I hate them with a passion. I want to raise the gas tax another dollar or 2 to pay for the damage they do. If you still want you monstosity, feel free. And your last line about empowering people is absurd. You are simply washing your hands of the responsibility being in society and helping everyone be able to succeed. And I'm sure everyone understands Bill Clinton's largest budget was smaller than W's smallest budget, after adjusting for inflation.