Q: “Why did you target my suburb?”
A: We focus on wealthy suburbs. They are made up primarily of people who can afford to drive most any car they please. Unlike people who drive what they drive because it’s all they can afford, most middle to upper-class people decide which car they want to drive and then find a way to afford it. Lower income persons aren’t so lucky, so while they may drive a car that has horrible emissions and pollutes just as much if not more than any vehicles we put violation notices, they don’t drive it because they wouldn’t rather be in a newer, lower emissions vehicle, they drive it because it’s all they can afford. Therefore people in wealthy areas are better suited to start changing things, assuming they know they should, as their decisions are not made as much by financial factors, but by their own personal choices.

Q: “Did you know it is illegal to distribute these on private property?”
A: Mall parking lots are very public and open spaces. Limiting people who venture onto them to pass out fliers would be VERY difficult. If you take your violation notice to a cop, and tell him “I got this on my car at the mall, isn’t it illegal? Can’t I prosecute the perpetrators of this?” he’ll tell you “No, indeed you cannot.” In public parking areas (as opposed to residentially-owned ones) you can put just about anything you want on a car, as long as it doesn’t damage it. We didn’t go to any homes, and we made sure not to hurt anyone’s property. The malls where we passed these out could indeed kick us off their property if they felt so inclined, but odds are they wouldn’t.

Q: “The consumer should not be the one targeted for such environmental issues. Shouldn’t the car industry be the main target?”
A: Historically speaking, whatever consumers may do that’s bad, the industry does plus ten times more. Here’s the deal though: Industry responds to three things and three things only: 1. the bottom-line, 2. consumers, and 3. laws. Doing things environmentally soundly costs more, so bottom lines aren’t good enough a reason to be more responsible. Laws have only lately been enacted, most don’t take effect for up to 5 years, and even then those laws are fairly mild, not accounting for any other problems than emissions (for which, until recently, were all but unregulated). Well the only other thing we have here to make things go right is “the voice of the people.” Industry adjusts to meet demand. That’s pure economics. If the Gap tells people that they want khaki pants, and thus the people want them, ALL the other brands start making khaki pants to meet that new demand. If Apple makes a computer that is available in 6 colors, and it sells well, suddenly every product that can be is released in 6 “cool new colors.” For this reason, our last chance regarding the negative effects of cars – particularly great big ones – is to try and change the demand for them. All but a few major automakers now offer SUVs and other large particularly inefficient autos. Why? Because they are selling like hotcakes. Only by changing demand (read: people like you, getting informed, knowing what the effects are and demanding and only buying less-harmful cars) will things get changed.

Q: “I don’t think putting fake parking tickets on people’s cars is an appropriate way of advertising. What about the elderly person who almost has a heart attack due to such notices?”
A: The percentage of elderly people who own Large SUVs/Trucks/Vans is incredibly small. As these vehicles are targeted at middle to upper-class single and family bound consumers between the ages of 24 and 60. If you watch the ads on TV and read the ads in publications, these are not vehicles that are intended to attract the elderly consumer. SUVs are intended for the young single person who likes to think about off-roading but seldom does it. To the family who needs to take the kids, the gear, and the friends home from school and to the game. To the big person who finds that they fit better in a larger car. And to people who are image-conscious and want to look like the people they see driving SUVs in real life and in commercials. SUVs would seldom benefit the elderly and for that reason are not advertised to, and rarely owned by persons who might have a heart attack due to a $17,000 fine. Buick’s, Cadillacs, and other full size sedans are the type of vehicle targeted at the elderly, and these are also the most commonly owned by the 65+ age crowd.

Q: “How can you suggest that cars are bad?”
A: Well, the idea that cars have many many negative side effects on the lives of virtually every American (and human for that matter) is more of a fact than an idea. Scientists, historians, environmental groups, independent and government sanctioned researchers all agree, the increase in automobiles has had countless negative effects. These effects can be seen in everything from global warming to air pollution to highway deaths (the number one cause of accidental death in America). For more information, and for our sources, visit the Learn More section.

Q: “I love my car. It symbolizes my freedom and defines my entire way of life!”
A: What cars symbolize to you, and how driving makes you feel, is something completely personal for you. The point of this website is to pose the idea to you that even though it is crappy to think about, and it sucks, the reality is that the excessive driving of your car is killing the planet, and in turn, us. So all of us have to be willing to make concessions, to give up a little of what we like and what makes us personally happy, for the greater good. We’re all in this together, and by buying bigger and ever more wasteful cars, and by not taking public transit where possible, you’re not just leaving a grim future for your kids, you’re leaving a grim future for all of our kids. That is why it is important to try to part with the idea that your car symbolizes you, and gives you freedom. Sure, it may do that now, but how can we make that not the case? If you lived in a city that wasn’t so spread out that NOTHING was in walking distance, and one with fast, inexpensive public transit that could get you where you were going in only a couple of extra minutes, would you then be willing to start making the switch? If so, please look into the solutions section to learn how you can start gaining more freedom by losing some of the dependency you have on your car.

Q: “So, do you own an automobile?”
A: No. I live in New York City. I use public transportation with very few exceptions.

Q: “Well, I don’t buy this argument that the world is in danger because of my driving.”
A: Okay, let’s look at it another way. Purely financially speaking. Automobiles are very wasteful in terms of your money. Take the amount of money you spend on gas each month, add that to the cost of an oil change every 3-4 months, add that to the monthly insurance rate, and finally, do you have a payment or a lease? Add all this up. It’s already a lot, but we’re not done. Do you ever get car washes? Speeding or parking tickets? If so, add that, plus higher insurance rates. How about repairs? Does your car ever break down? And the worst of all -- accidents. What is your deductible? Ever had to pay it? You will. All this, and don’t even think about the value of your life, or that of your passengers. Are you keeping track? Well, we’re up to some really big numbers... and guess what? We’re still not done. Now it’s time for the more abstract, but equally as real big-picture costs. The federal government invests billions of dollars every year into keeping crude oil prices low enough to keep Americans willing to buy gas. If you take the per gallon cost paid at the pump and add back to it your tax dollars that subsidize oil and gas, you actually pay approximately $7 per gallon. That’s because YOUR tax dollars go toward keeping the cost of gasoline down. So now what is that figure looking like? For me, with my 35-miles-to-the-gallon economy car, I’m up to: $6,610 per year. I have had a ticket, but I own my car, so I have no payment. I would imagine you are probably at more than 6k, but do your own math. Anyway, we’re still not done. Add the cost of your tax dollars that go to funding the creation and expansion of highways, the price to our economies of failing inner city schools at the hand of sprawl caused by the increase in autos, and the list goes on and on to the point that the costs to you and your family are incalculable. See the problems section for a complete list of all costs.

Q: “Where do you come up with all this? Aren’t you just making it up and slanting it to push your own angle?”
A: No. Nothing on this site is made up. Is it as slanted as anything else, I suppose. But the facts are all true, and there is an incredible amount of verified, unbiased data at your disposal right now to double check everything said on this site. Please see the section Learn More.

Q: “Okay, okay, I believe cars pollute the mind and the landscape! What am I supposed to do about it?”
A: Well, if you go to the Solutions section, you’ll find there are all number of suggestions.

Q: “I liked the ‘violation notice’ I found on my windshield. How can I become involved with the Wompedy Club?”
A: It’s easy! You can email join@wompedy.com and tell us what you would like to do, and how you would like to help. You can assist by distributing information (such as violation notices), or by contributing financially to future projects. You are considered a member simply by taking part. If you are involved in a Wompedy Club project, you are considered part of the club.

Q: “What is the Wompedy Club?”
A: The Wompedy Club serves as an umbrella for not-for-profit, issue-driven projects. We have no staff, only volunteers.

Q: “Is there a membership fee?”
A: No. But it takes to money to accomplish projects like this one, and that money comes from members. All funding is voluntary and all donated money goes strictly to projects.