Is driving a right or a privilege?

[Storebought]

Our bus "system" sucks. No one uses it and it mainly only goes to walmart and a few neighborhoods.

Brazos County doesn't even have that. Instead, there is a single county-wide gypsy minibus that you have to call 40 min in advance to arrive at an *approved* stop.

I don't have a car yet (I bike the 5 mi to Bryan), but I damned sure not to ride that thing!

[Storebought]

Around here, it should be considered a right, because it is often the only realistic method of transportation. There are too many hills to ride a bike, most stores are 15 miles out of town, and the bus system is sh**tty. Thus, it is a natural right - but one that can be revoked from those who abuse it.

The first (or possibly second) post of yours that I can actually agree with

In rural areas, a *truck* is a necessity. I will need to get one before summer's out.

[Storebought]

Around here, it should be considered a right, because it is often the only realistic method of transportation. There are too many hills to ride a bike, most stores are 15 miles out of town, and the bus system is sh**tty. Thus, it is a natural right - but one that can be revoked from those who abuse it.

The first (or possibly second) post of yours that I can actually agree with

In rural areas, a *truck* is a necessity. I will need to get one before summer's out.

How about intercounty services? are they any better(if they exist).

There is one: Greyhound, but that is a national bus service, and not really local to any US county. Features:

(+) Ridership is a diverse cross section of America's illegal immigrant and paroled felon population

(-) Expensive (a 90 mile trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, a heavily traveled route, is $20+); unbearably slow; inconvenient (bus terminals are invariably located in the *slums* of the city); dirty and slightly nauseating, etc.

There is no alternative to an automobile in the US, outside of the coastal conurbations.