> A reader might conclude that people who want a vehicle to pull a boat or haul mulch are misguided, or even dangerous.

How about I just conclude that while pulling a boat or hauling mulch are completely OK things to want a vehicle for (*), one does not need a F150 with a front end that reaches my chest and has gas mileage to prove it.

As many have noted, pickups like the 90s Toyotas did these things just fine for almost everyone, but most US based manufacturers have stopped making them.

Me noting that doesn't make me part of the doom of the political party I always vote for.

(*) to the extent that we live in a society where private ownership of vehicles is completely unremarkable, that is. And we do, for the foreseeable future.

The Tacoma is the modern equivalent of the 90s Toyota, and while it is certainly bigger, it is not that much bigger.

Also, there are a lot of boats, RVs and trailers which my 2019 Tacoma absolutely would not have towed successfully.