> But hey, I'm sure you're the first to vote against any measures that would actually improve things like urban density or public transportation.

To the contrary.

I don't believe in being punitive and taxing people who live a life different from mine or hold conflicting beliefs.

I don't believe in lecturing people on how they should live their lives as long as they don't start to lecture me on how I should mine.

If someone wants to live in a rural county and drive to and from work or groceries 20 hours a day, they're welcome to. They are adults.

If someone on the other hand wants to live right next to the train and bus station, so they can take a ride right out of their balcony, they're welcome to do so as well. They are adults.

I do not assume a right over another person's decision and freedom to choose how they want to live their own life as long as they don't tamper with my own. We are adults.

The United States was built on these very ideals: mini, hyper-localized governance than a larger centralized governance that is not in touch with the people they govern.

Unfortunately, that philosophy has been lost to time, and people in coastal cities in California seem to feel perfectly comfortable lecturing ranch hands in Montana what to do and how to live their lives.