Your Cadillac example is a really bad one. No one needs a fancy car (a cheap one works), but power/gas is a pretty basic need.
People can go and skip the Cadillac and can also choose a Lincoln, but with power, the IOUs own the power lines to the neighborhood and you really can't pick another power provider. Even if you do those co-op things, the power lines and everything is still owned by the IOU I believe.
Even with cable/internet, some areas have multiple companies servicing it and you can choose another option (or just use your phone). Almost impossible for power. We certainly don't have any other option other than SDG&E.
Power is a government allowed monopoly with little/no consumer choice that's rubber stamped by the CPUC. Also, why should someone in Sacramento determine power rates in San Diego (we pay the highest rates in the nation currently)? Power is also considered a life need where without it, life could be in danger due to medical needs, excess heat/cold/etc.
I'd like to see cities actually start kicking the IOUs to the curb and go it alone. Start finding some land they own, build massive solar/storage themselves and kick PG&E/IOUs to the curb for their own neighborhoods. Generate power where it is used and minimize transmission lines/issues and cut the tie to the IOU master.
I'd really like to see more tech to allow folks to seriously go off-grid. The problem I have is still gas, but being in So Ca, even during winter, it was not too bad as long as a sunny day pops up.
I never understood why folks even defend utilities here. It's obvious the IOUs made this mess themselves (PG&E killing people, not maintaining their stuff), jacking up rates so high to the point where more and more people have gone solar/storage and will consider cutting the cord (like landlines) once more tech/solutions pop up. Especially wealthy people like that guy in Palo Alto where they have the means, it'll be funny to see how they deal then when the customer is not there anymore and don't have to care how the IOUs plans to rob them next.