Edwards Asks Americans to Sacrifice

John Edwards thinks Americans need to conserve energy.

He wants them to give up their SUVs.

Edwards complains that Americans are the worst polluters on the planet and the country must change.

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."

...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."

Apparently, Edwards considers himself exempt. He's not one of the Americans that he believes must make sacrifices for the good of the planet.

One need only take a quick look at his 28,200-square-foot home on his 102-acre estate in Orange County, North Carolina to get an idea of what a hypocrite he is.

[T]he Edwards home total[s] 28,200 square feet of connected space. The main house is 10,400 square feet and has two garages. The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet.

The main house is all on one level except for a 600-square-foot bedroom and bath area above the guest garage.

The recreation building contains a basketball court, a squash court, two stages, a bedroom, kitchen, bathrooms, swimming pool, a four-story tower, and a room designated “John’s Lounge.”

"Guest garage"?

"Recreation building"?

"A 600-square-foot bedroom and bath area above the guest garage"?

That's extravagant.

It's excessive.

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."

Huh?

What gives Edwards the right to live in an enormous mansion and consume massive amounts of energy?

He claims he makes "no apologies whatsoever" for what he believes he's earned.

What about SUV owners?

Why is Edwards asking them to give up what they've worked hard to attain?

Shouldn't those people have the right to say that they make no apologies for driving SUVs because they've worked hard all their lives?

If Edwards wants Americans to sacrifice, he needs to set an example by making some sacrifices of his own.

Maybe he could scale his recreation building back just a bit to save a little energy. Maybe some homeless people could live at his place.

Bottom line: Edwards' call for Americans to give up their SUVs is a joke.