Perhaps one of the biggest problems with this country right now is that people are too damn selfish, and vote “in their own best interest” to the detriment of not only everyone else but—ironically—to the detriment of themselves as well.

On an issue that boils down to social consensus such as how much selfishness is reasonable or what the speed limits should be it's impossible for the overwhelming majority of people to be wrong since they form the consensus.

Most "selfish Americans" people would be more "wounded animal" selfish than "position of power" selfish. That's a big difference.

huh?

One consequence is that we're in a low trust <-> bad social safety net feedback loop, rather than an innate consequence of a fixed "American disposition".

Jam one thing like through like Healthcare or Federal Rerserve accounts for all, and the feedback loop might find a markedly different equilibrium.

Maybe out in the countryside, the votes would be on your side, but that is not that big of a deal, because the issues of cars are not as bad there.

But in the city, there are many more people who may not even have a car, or be bothered by reduced speedlimits.

In these cities, we can outvote you.

Speed limits, and the like, are controlled locally.

op here! I definitely do believe that regulation is the path forward to shrinking and slowing cars. But that's not actually what I suggested. I just want the ability to PURCHASE one of these in north america - and for them to catch on

You can buy similar things already, just not EV.

EV part is pretty critical, since I'm trying to avoid fossil fuels whenever possible - but what are my options? A fiat 500 starts at $16,500, smartcars were not much less, and are no longer sold in the usa anyway.

You actually can't anymore. Car sellers have stopped selling them to Americans because they make more profit out of SUVs.

Car salesman will sell you anything just to get some of that commission. Not everyone wants to drive an SUV. You make it sound like people will only buy what a car salesman wants them to buy, if that were so we would all be driving luxury cars and severely in debt.

Maybe the majority just prefer SUVs instead. There is a lot more comfort in larger cars. I personally prefer an SUV to a mini van which turns funny in my experience.