[CalRobert]

Why do they need cars?

because you can't walk to things.

Why can't you walk to things?

Because they're so far apart.

Why are they so far apart?

Because a) parking minimums mean more land is given to parking than the actual amenity, and b) zoning forces single-use and density maximums

Why do people want parking minimums and zoning restrictions like that?

Because it's annoying to drive through high density.

Why do they need cars?

on and on and on

It's not an option because we built an entire country for 2 ton beings that need 30 feet to move in a circle, rather than humans. Can ants walk across Manhattan?

Seriously, look at your standard US "shopping center" and it's almost entirely parking. The lots dwarf the actual buildings.

[EpicEng]

If I accept your entire premise (I don't, I think there are a lot of cases you're missing here), I still don't see how you come up with a solution. You're going into the history of how we got here, but it doesn't matter to the person who just needs a parking space. They're already here and they cannot afford a parking spot that costs as much as their mortgage.

I agree that we have done a putiful job in providing public transportation and designing cities around the notion that reducing cars is a good thing, but to argue that a parking spot should cost as much as rent is ludicrous. It is completely impractical and will never happen.