Six rings, I think your last post points out some important differences underlying the paradigms of the so called “downtown elite” and Ford nation voters that are relevant to discussions in this forum.
In downtown elite world measures to enhance public transit or cycling are thought of as progressive because poor people are users of these modes, cars are high end and associated with means, and poverty generally is associated with abject levels of poverty and social assistance.
In Ford Nation world measures that restrict drivers are anti-progressive because cars are low end, the poor are working poor and most importantly the poor ARE drivers. Measures to restrict vehicle access, increase driving costs, etc. are taxes on the struggling middle-class and working poor.