Filed under: Government/Legal, Green
Edwards: Americans need to give up their SUVs
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has hit an accord (not literally) with the American public, suggesting they should sacrifice SUVs in favor of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Speaking at a forum held by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Edwards told the audience that he thinks "Americans are willing to sacrifice" there love of gaz-guzzling SUVs.
More after the jump.
[Source: Detroit News]
When asked whether Americans should actually give up their SUVs, Edwards' response was an adamant "yes." Despite the bold assertion, Edwards was very popular with the crowd. He also won a lot of favor when he revealed his desire to return production of America's military needs, such as tanks, rifles and ammunition to American soil.
Other initiatives he mentioned during the speech included a proposal to place a national cap on carbon dioxide emissions and reduce this limit on a year-by-year basis. It's funny hearing Edwards talk about sacrifice when he's living in a 28,000 square-foot mansion, but the politician makes no apologies for his lifestyle explaining that he had worked hard for it. No doubt, which is why he should be able to buy any car he wants, even an SUV.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
iamhoff 12:28PM (8/29/2007)
And (God forbid) he gets elected president, he'll drive around in a gas guzzling, heavily armored limo surrounded by several gas guzzling, heavily armored SUVs. Ahh, the hypocrisy of it all.
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drbyers 2:11PM (8/29/2007)
i gave up my suv a LONG time ago. you can too... lol
no_slushbox 2:23PM (8/29/2007)
Both parties want to regulate people's freedom to do things and participate in transactions that they don't agree with, and both parties are hypocritical with their own actions. Edwards and Gore hate SUVs but live in big houses, and Republicans hate sex education, contraceptives, any kind of porn and gay rights but solicit gay sex in public restrooms (look up Bob Allen and Larry Craig).
JC3 6:59PM (8/29/2007)
He's a phoney.Another spineless democrat who's in the back pocket of every special interest group in that coalition party.
Don 5:22PM (8/29/2007)
Yeah, really...thanks for nothin', John! Have fun watching Hillary take the primary!
Quattroporte 12:29PM (8/29/2007)
I now want a Escalade with the Corvette Z07/SS motor in it.
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Quattroporte 7:20AM (8/30/2007)
No, I now want an Escalade with an 850hp NASCAR engine in it.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:30PM (8/29/2007)
Agreed, Edwards is right. Many Americans feel that OTHER PEOPLE should give up their SUVs. Whereas they need their 3-row SUV so they can carry themself, their kid and 1.5 bags of groceries from the supermarket.
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HineyWipe 12:40PM (8/29/2007)
Yeah, and the next time you have your kids picked up at school, after a play or soccer game, and then dropped off safely at their parent's home because you are too busy working to pay for the taxes and utilities on that McMansion...
Ryan C. 7:53PM (8/29/2007)
HineyWipe, I think I lost brain cells reading your post.
chris 12:31PM (8/29/2007)
I doubt people will give up there SUVs until gas is at European price levels... Our dumb society is just too convinced that bigger means better(safer) and that they require something like an Excursion to "see over other cars".
I wish Edwards had even a hope of election, then we might see some actual change instead of more of the same bs lines we are hearing from Clinton and Obama...
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Alex Nunez 12:38PM (8/29/2007)
Has it ever occurred to you that maybe -- just maybe -- people simply LIKE their SUVs?
john 12:43PM (8/29/2007)
We'll give up SUVs in the US just as soon as all those Europeans give up their SUVs.
Ah Range Rovers, Cayennes, Jeeps, Hummers. Oh so only the rich get to drive SUVs there? Well now that's ok if a politician endorses regressive policies.
rem83 12:44PM (8/29/2007)
People also like a lot of other things that are bad for them / everybody else. That still doesn't mean those things are a good idea, it just means most people are stupid and selfish, at least some of the time.
Todd 12:34PM (8/29/2007)
Evil Demagog. Taking away our liberties.
NOUN: 1. A leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace. 2. A leader of the common people in ancient times.
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John P. 12:36PM (8/29/2007)
He's almost as big a hypocrite as Gore. As far as working hard for his money? I dunno, shaking down the Red Cross and suing doctors for making mistakes isn't exactly rocket science.
Sounds more like an Ambulance Chasing Lawyer to me. I hope he never comes within sight of the White House, let alone inside the Oral Office.
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EM 12:40PM (8/29/2007)
I'm Edwards, I'm a democrat, blah blah blah, Bush is doing it wrong, blah blah blah, I'll say anything to get some constitutes, blah blah blah, John Kerry.
Come on, this guy isn't going to get elected. He's just saying something that will garner people paying attention to him.
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Seminole 12:44PM (8/29/2007)
I wish Edwards would just shut up already. He is the biggest hipocrit in the world.
He started his campaign in New Orleans talking about "two America's", yet a company he used to work for and hold millions of dollars worth of stock in, is forclosing on Katrina victims homes the same time he is telling them when he becomes president everything will be better. He tries to bid himself as the "ordianry American's" canidate, yet he lives in a 15,000+ sq foot home, gets $1000 haircuts, and fly's around in private jets. Yep, he really cares about ordinary America. He even has the gall to criticize our healthcare system when money hungry, ambulance chasing, trial lawyers like himself are the cause of such outrageous healthcare prices.
To John Edwards I say: "STFU! Last time I checked, I live in America, and I can drive whatever the hell I want to. You don't like it, tough shit."
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Rob 12:55PM (8/29/2007)
No offense, but I don't really trust someone who can't even spell "hypocrite" correctly.
Seminole 1:03PM (8/29/2007)
I'm bored in class right now and just typing fast while browsing the internet. Sorry for the typo.