Should Americans give up their SUVs?

Question

John Edwards is asking Americans to sacrifice their SUVs for the sake of the environment and global warming. Is he right? In my case, I don't have an SUV.

This is the same guy who lives in an oversized mansion and flies around on a private jet to make his speeches. Wonder if he's going to give those up ... or is he the exception. Wonder if he's asking China (or Walmart who buys Chinese goods) to pollute less?

Answer 1

I just wish people would give up SUVs so I could see to pull out of a parking space at the mall...

Answer 2

well generally speaking i think SUVs are a crap idea anyways. most of the people that own them live in suburbs or cities where the terrain really isn't conducive to sports or utility. most of the time when i see one on the road, there's only one person in it when it seats 8. it's a total waste of space and economy all across the board. I'm looking at it from a logical sense primarily and in my opinion SUVs make very little sense unless you have several regular passengers or a job that requires the cargo hold. a typical SUV gets poor gas mileage compared to say a Carrolla ( i have one and it rocks the house on gas mileage).

my mom has an excursion and i always make fun of her for it because she's the only one ever in it and her car payment is over $400/mo. Sometimes I feel like they are vehicles intended to compensate for the poor driving abilities of whoever is manning it. I often come across SUVs in parking lots that couldn't park between the 2 lines the space alots to save their lives. i also notice higher driving aggression in people that have larger vehicles, including large trucks like F350s and what have you. they bully people in smaller cars and hog the road. i also have a subaru forester which is considered a wagon and has just as much cargo room as a larger vehicle. when i'm in that i still get bullied by bigger cars.

what kills me are hummers. they are the most ridiculous, crappiest made cars that currently exist. i personally don't feel they should have been cleared for civilian use. i only ever see stay at home platinum card moms in them sipping on lattes and blinding people with the enormous rock on their hand. the first thing i would want to see banned on the road are the dang hummers.

EDIT: SUVs are not a way of life in TX unless you live in the sticks. Also, my Subaru could kick an Escalade's a*s any day. The last time it iced over here in north tx, i took the subaru to work and while everyone else was skidding and skating across the highway (including gigantor SUVs), i didn't slip a single time. Also, driving is a privilege, not a right. People seem to forget that.

Answer 3

Don't forget folks that the roads are public highways, and some sort of control is required. If not lets have total anarchy and let anyone drive anything. How about all of the large fighting vehicles. We could then increase global warming in a much more dramatic way.

Answer 4

Heck no, I shouldn't give up my SUV. How am I going to haul all of my stuff around?

And if someone tells me I must give up my SUV, isn't that impeding my liberty and lifestlye?

Because how is it their business what kind of car I drive, or how much gas I use?

Would it be less bad if I could justify it by having a big family?

How does a large family get to enjoy more comfort in driving than a single woman?

Doesn't that seem rather socialist to tell someone that since they don't fit a certain stereotype that they cannot drive a particular type of vehicle?

I think John Edwards is a bigot towards large-vehicled people.

Answer 5

lol first let me say that john edwards is a dumbass on everything other than environmental issues...dont vote for him!!

well america is the biggest polluter in the world and aside from australia, we are the only country that hasnt signed the kyoto protocol to help the environment due to our abuse on things like fossil fuels, which are running out. unfortunately our current economy relies heavily on them and thats where we need to change, yes. we should work with countries like brazil (they are way ahead of us in environment) to find alternatives or at least combo alternatives to run our cars on. but many of us are too comfortable with our lifestyles that we make up excuses as to why we shouldnt give up our suvs and gas guzzlers...who gives a **** about the earth and global warming right? as long as our lives are convenient. of course we arent the only country but we do apparently pollute more than any other country. when youre at that point - its time to take some responsibility and not point the finger at other people. of course we havent gotten it yet but trust me when things get worse as far as oil shortage, venezuela and/or opec getting fed up with us, global warmings effect on our environment, and prices going up, which they inevitably will, we'll get it then.

few great leaders in the past, like jimmy carter, have tried to be honest with the american people about environmental issues but we didnt want to hear it and moved on to the next person. the truth is hard to swallow especially when it condemns you for doing wrong. but you know - ya reap whatcha sow.

but im just a crazy 18 yr old. what DO i know?

Answer 6

Edwards complains about WalMart and SUVs, and he is true to those principles. Edwards does not drive SUVs and will not shop at WalMart. He has staff people do that for him.

Answer 7

I don't even know what "give up their SUVs" really means. OK. Let's say I decide to "give up" my SUV and buy....a hybrid! If everyone did the same the production of NEW hybrids would sky rocket. Doesn't production create ALOT of greenhouse gasses? And then what about my SUV that I gave up? What happens to it? It sits in a junk yard? No, someone buys it used....so I've really done nothing but increase the production of cars in China....

None of this really sounds great for the environment.

Answer 8

You know the new order rules are that us commoners just must give up our SUVs. The rich folks get to keep their mansions, jets and SUVs. They can buy carbon offsets. (whatever they are).

Answer 9

When Robert Kennedy JR, Al gore, and John Edwards, give up there SUV's, and stop flying around in private jets that omit more CO in the air in one flight than the average American does in one year. I am so tired of liberal HYPOCRITES TELLING PEOPLE HOW TO LIVE, If your gonna preach the standard you better be the standard

Answer 10

Firstly, I agree that Americans should give up their SUVs for the environment. Its a different issue that they don't give a crap about anything related to the environment. Hell, they dont give a crap to anything until they are not screwed up by it.

Secondly, I don't understand why do you blame China? US is BIGGEST POLLUTER for decades now? Forgot that?