I can either drive a car and commute to work for 30-40 minutes each way or I can take public transportation and commute for 1.5-2 hours each way. Additionally,

I can either drive a car and commute to work for 30-40 minutes each way or I can take public transportation and commute for 1.5-2 hours each way. Additionally, in places without robust transportation, you literally cannot work without a car. You are correct that I do not need a car, but you are wrong to assume it is trivial to lose 2+ hours of free time each day as just another luxury. Frankly, your position on needs vs wants seems like a convenient excuse to look down on other people who have different concepts of value. There is very little, in the western world, that we NEED to survive. You do not need electricity, for example, but no reasonable person would call it a luxury -- point being it is more subjective than you imply. Would also help your argument if you realize your perspective is extremely privileged. Some people have kids who did not want them, and yes it was a mistake but not as much a decision as something that happened -- they may not have the monetary, intellectual or moral foundation to handle an unwanted pregnancy. So this woman, maybe a single mother, now has a child and is struggling to pay her bills, a paycheck (or car repair, or medical expense) from being evicted. Your speech would not be relevant to a person in such a situation and there are many many many such people. People who eat out 5-10 times a week don't get to complain about being broke, but how is that a new insight? To me it trivializes the real struggles of the working poor.