One loses count. On the drug and chemical front, we now have a smoke-free America, almost. The level of social intolerance of nicotine now approaches that of the 60s toward marijuana. Involvement with any other mind-altering chemical at almost any level from production to consumption can land you in jail for a good long time. And of course booze continues to reign as the supreme behavioral drug of choice.
Caffeine now comes in pricey colors and flavors.
Not only are they gas-guzzlers, they are subject to much less stringent safety and environmental laws than are cars. Because they are trucks, and as trucks they are important for the economic functioning of the society. A few assassinations, some violent deaths, and a lot of demonstrations did lead to basic changes in civil rights laws a long time ago. Enough is enough, say the soccer moms and dads now, so it's away with affirmative action. And the less said in public of what gays and lesbians do in private, the better.