John Edwards: Americans Should 'Sacrifice' SUVs for Environment

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

John Edwards: Americans Should 'Sacrifice' SUVs for Environment

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Associated Press

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards told a labor group that he would ask Americans to make a big sacrifice: their sport utility vehicles.

"I think Americans are actually willing to sacrifice," Edwards said Tuesday during a forum held by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "One of the things they should be asked to do is drive more fuel efficient vehicles."

The former North Carolina senator was asked specifically if he would tell them to give up their SUVs, he said, "Yes."

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Longshot candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also spoke to the group and said he had a Machinists union flag hanging outside his congressional office and that he is a strong supporter of workers.

Edwards was clearly popular with the group, several times drawing standing ovations, including once when he said weapons and equipment used by America's military needs to be made in the United States. He said now tanks and ammunition for M16 rifles are being made in other countries.

"If your tax dollars are being used to produce the products that keep America safe, that provide defense for the American people, those jobs should remain in the United States of America," Edwards said.

He also said as president he would ask residents to conserve energy and said the U.S. needs to focus on being a leader in creating alternative energy. He said he wants a national cap on carbon dioxide emissions that is lowered each year.

"We are the worst polluter on the planet. We are 4 percent of the world's population, we're putting out 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gas," Edwards said. "America's going to have to change."

Edwards was asked during his appearance how he explained the contradiction of asking Americans to sacrifice while he's living in a 28,000-square-foot (2,600-square-meter) mansion.

He said he came from nothing, worked hard all his life, has always supported workers and fought big corporations as a lawyer.

"I have no apologies whatsoever for what I've done with my life," he said to loud cheers. "My entire life has been about the same cause, which is making sure wherever you come from, whatever your family is, whatever the color of your skin, you get a real chance to do something great in this country."

[Jasman0717 9]

WE probably should at least cut back a bit. My Dodge only gets about 10 MPG in town and 19 on the road so God only knows how much ####### it spews into the air. Of course, maybe the rest of the country should put smog controls on cars like California did. I do believe the air is cleaner now than it was 20 years ago. Look at the Philippines, they don't let big engines into the country without huge taxes but don't have any smog control so the polution is terrible. What did I just say

[almaty 19]

i think we need better gas mileage and more fuel economy vehicles..i know a few folks at work that have gotten rid of their gas hog and bought small fuel economy cars....

Edited August 29, 2007 by almaty

[SteveLaura 0]

I would argue that the majority of people who own SUVs don't actually need an all-terrain vehicle. I wanted a car that had a lot of space, so I bought a stationwagon.

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

I wasn't convinced by SUVs at first when I moved to the States. I mean, hardly anyone has one in the UK. Then on Labor Day weekend last year we were rear-ended by a woman driving a Honda Element. Her entire front end caved in and it cost her over $3000 to repair it, scary since it was a new car and she hit us. And all that at about 5 miles per hour (we were in gridlocked traffic and she forgot how to control her car.)

Hubby's SUV didn't even get a ding.

So I would rather have a big car to at least keep me and hubby safe, especially if the majority of everyone else has a big car. But if there starts to be a dramatic swing to smaller, economic cars, only then will I think about it.

Are Aston Martin's considered economical?

[Sister Fracas 5]

I want a Mini Cooper... 27 city, 35 hwy....but alas, I don't drive....

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

I found this online that I thought was interesting. Alas the Aston Martin is probably the worst for fuel efficiency... Shame

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'm sure the Edwards' have fun rolling around in their Chevy Aveo's. Or is he just preaching to drink the water while drinking the wine?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If everyone in LA gave up driving their SUV I would be breathing much cleaner air, that is for sure.

[Dave_Thao 0]

Another example of "Do as I say not as I do."

[mawilson 2,133]

I'll sacrifice the environment for my SUV.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'll sacrifice the environment for my SUV.

You sure you weren't born here?

[Jenn! 918]

I wasn't convinced by SUVs at first when I moved to the States. I mean, hardly anyone has one in the UK. Then on Labor Day weekend last year we were rear-ended by a woman driving a Honda Element. Her entire front end caved in and it cost her over $3000 to repair it, scary since it was a new car and she hit us. And all that at about 5 miles per hour (we were in gridlocked traffic and she forgot how to control her car.)

Hubby's SUV didn't even get a ding.

So I would rather have a big car to at least keep me and hubby safe, especially if the majority of everyone else has a big car. But if there starts to be a dramatic swing to smaller, economic cars, only then will I think about it.

I've been back and forth about this since I totaled my car about 2 weeks ago and am in the market for something new. Same situation - my little Honda crunched up like an aluminum can and I couldn't have been going more than 15 when I rearended a big Dodge Ram. No damage to his truck.

Although someone told me that the body of a smaller car like that takes all of the damage in order to protect the passenger cabin.

Surely there must be some good compromises...Volvo?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I wasn't convinced by SUVs at first when I moved to the States. I mean, hardly anyone has one in the UK. Then on Labor Day weekend last year we were rear-ended by a woman driving a Honda Element. Her entire front end caved in and it cost her over $3000 to repair it, scary since it was a new car and she hit us. And all that at about 5 miles per hour (we were in gridlocked traffic and she forgot how to control her car.)

Hubby's SUV didn't even get a ding.

So I would rather have a big car to at least keep me and hubby safe, especially if the majority of everyone else has a big car. But if there starts to be a dramatic swing to smaller, economic cars, only then will I think about it.

I've been back and forth about this since I totaled my car about 2 weeks ago and am in the market for something new. Same situation - my little Honda crunched up like an aluminum can and I couldn't have been going more than 15 when I rearended a big Dodge Ram. No damage to his truck.

Although someone told me that the body of a smaller car like that takes all of the damage in order to protect the passenger cabin.

Surely there must be some good compromises...Volvo?

I though SUV's had some of the worst crash test results in terms of passenger safety?

[Jenn! 918]

I wasn't convinced by SUVs at first when I moved to the States. I mean, hardly anyone has one in the UK. Then on Labor Day weekend last year we were rear-ended by a woman driving a Honda Element. Her entire front end caved in and it cost her over $3000 to repair it, scary since it was a new car and she hit us. And all that at about 5 miles per hour (we were in gridlocked traffic and she forgot how to control her car.)

Hubby's SUV didn't even get a ding.

So I would rather have a big car to at least keep me and hubby safe, especially if the majority of everyone else has a big car. But if there starts to be a dramatic swing to smaller, economic cars, only then will I think about it.

I've been back and forth about this since I totaled my car about 2 weeks ago and am in the market for something new. Same situation - my little Honda crunched up like an aluminum can and I couldn't have been going more than 15 when I rearended a big Dodge Ram. No damage to his truck.

Although someone told me that the body of a smaller car like that takes all of the damage in order to protect the passenger cabin.

Surely there must be some good compromises...Volvo?

I though SUV's had some of the worst crash test results in terms of passenger safety?

Isn't that due to rollovers? I'll just say that I'd feel a lot safer in a Hummer than in a Ford Focus.