Aside from the fact that dumping garbage in a public park and leaving your lights on are not even remotely close in terms of impact, it's important to point out that one actually serves a utility.
Having lived in cities where electricity is extremely expensive and lights are scarce, I can vouch for the value of light (particularly in poorer, urban areas) during night time. Perhaps you cannot appreciate lit roadways and sidewalks until you've experienced their absence.
It depends on the location. In large cities and urban areas sure it makes sense, but outside there is really little need for street lighting.
I'm from a village (~350 people) that to this day still doesn't have street lights and it's great - if you go out at night you just carry a torch. Any nights when it's clear you get a great view of the Milky Way (although there are some large towns ~15 miles away so it could be better).
The roads in the area are all unlit too, so anytime I drive on a main road or motorway with street lights (outside populated areas) it makes me cringe.
Most people don't care enough about seeing the stars. They would rather feel safe in their neighborhoods if they need to go out at night, and street lights do a good job of providing that feeling.
The first time I encountered a highway that was fully lit (I-287, maybe), I thought it was the weirdest thing. Cars have headlights, right?
For three or four days around the full moon, you can drive at midnight with no lights on - especially in the winter when there's snow to increase the contrast. These are things you do when the nearest entertainment is the WalMart 15 miles away, haha.
Having lived in cities where electricity is extremely expensive and lights are scarce, I can vouch for the value of light (particularly in poorer, urban areas) during night time. Perhaps you cannot appreciate lit roadways and sidewalks until you've experienced their absence.