Can't disagree to much there RTSpring..
BC we disagreed before on the whole studded snow tire thing, but if the deicer is having a negative effect on roads then studs can't be much worse.

Even still there are very few people who purchase snow tires let alone a good one like the blizzak or Hankook ones, Or Nokians. A spare set of dedicated snow rims and snow tires, studded or not, is a great investment. The last few times i have put the wifes tires on there was already snow on the ground! Even people with AWD need good tires, and that seems to be something that many people try and avoid...