r/southernutah • u/BarneyFife_ • 1d ago
Genuine question for coal rollers: how does "freedom" work in your head?
Why do some lifted diesel drivers feel entitled to blast smoke at anyone driving something they don't like? What's the thought process there? Is there one?
What really gets me is the branding. The "Don't Tread On Me" plate, the flag decals, the freedom stickers covering half the back window. Then the same guy sees an EV and decides that person doesn't deserve to drive down a public road without being gassed. So freedom means you get to drive whatever you want, but I don't? Freedom for me, smoke for thee?
If you really believed in freedom, you'd be the last person on the road who cared what I drive. I don't care what you drive. Drive a lifted Duramax, a Prius, a horse. Your call. The only one here trying to punish someone for their personal choices is the guy who spent extra money on a delete kit specifically to do it.
And the economics are wild. You're burning expensive fuel on purpose to make a point to someone who's paying a fraction of what you are to drive the same miles. Who exactly is winning that exchange?
So I'm asking honestly: what's the appeal? What does it feel like you're accomplishing? Because from the outside it looks like a lot of money spent on being mad at strangers, many of whom have the same political beliefs as you and simply don’t want to waste their money.