>As far as 'conspiracy theorists' this represents a vast spectrum of individuals, and no doubt that would be foolish to lump into a single one-dimensional stereotype unless your aim is some sort of propaganda or social conditioning.

Exactly; this type of anti-walkable-city thought is totally normal for probably a majority of the US population. NYC is indeed walkable, but it doesn't represent America at all, and half the country sneers at the city and hates it, and anything that resembles it.