A terrific quote from the 1990s documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” was an observer’s comment about the EV movement as environmentalists’ attempts to “make us live like Europeans.”

I thought about this again while noticing newfangled movements from merry Olde England to start thinking about “15-minute cities” and the creeping trend of the much-despised traffic roundabouts.

Yes, it appears we may be hustled in the near future to live like the good folks across the pond, particularly in the way we get around. Some people believe Americans are terrible polluters because of their over reliance on automobiles and trucks to get from one place to another.

When I look back to about 43 years ago, I remember living within the city limits in Albion, where I walked to work every day, to grocery stores, bars and even to get a haircut. I only used my car to go to meetings or ballgames. So I was able to make economic ends meet because, despite my paltry income, I had few expenses.

However, I somehow yearned for rural, country living and in 1979 decided to rent a cottage on Prairie Lake, making it necessary for me to drive 20 minutes to and 20 minutes from work.

Thus began my slide into poverty, having to gas up too often despite owning a brand new 1979 Chevy Chevette. Not only did I have to use gas to get to and from work, I had to go into the city to do shopping and avail myself of services.

I bring this up because the concept of “15-minute cities” that England is promoting is to get us to use cars and trucks less and walk more, within 15-minute walking distances, not just for environmental, but also economic and health reasons.

Such an idea probably is about as popular in the United States as a visit from Beelzebub at a church picnic.

But another idea from the across the sea that’s even less welcome is the roundabout. These circular intersections have been popping up here and there all across America, even though the oldest in my memory is from Marshall almost 50 years ago. Closer to home, I’ve noticed their installations in places like Marquette, Munising and even Grand Rapids.

Though it is very clear that a roundabout is much safer than the classic four-way stop or even the stoplight intersection, it does not enjoy popularity in these United States. Some, like myself, find roundabouts protocol really confusing and many motorists regard them simply as a pain in the back passage.

I’ve been told by some public officials they refrain from revealing any plans they may have for tossing aside the traditional intersection in favor of installing a roundabout. I am told such a move would bring out torches and pitchforks not unlike those seen in recent years at school board meetings.

Some insist that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but given the number of traffic accidents that occur at traffic lights, stop signs and their ilk, our traffic system may be broken and inadequate, in need of common sense change.

But we don’t like being told how to live our lives by those pseudo socialist, health care for all liberals in Europe. We’re Americans.

As I have said often in this column, I’ll never forget that campaign sign that read: “Grand Rapids: We like the way things are around here. Let’s keep it that way. Vote Republican.”