“I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us who are suffering and our focus on our own selfish short-term needs. I think he would be appalled, actually.”
– John Edwards
It’s yesterday’s news now, but as you’ve probably heard Edwards charged UC Davis – a public university – $55,000 to give a talk. On the subject of poverty. This guy lives in a 28,000 square foot house and preaches about the two Americas – rich and poor.
If my instincts are correct a right Reverend President Edwards would try to bridge those two America by charging more taxes to families like mine that live in 2,000 square foot houses. Our oldest starts school in three years and we want to buy a house in a district with better schools. And it would be nice to have a bigger house so we have room for a third child. So I hope John Edwards can forgive us for being so selfish as to wantito hold on to our money for our family instead of letting politicians decide how to spend it.
Meanwhile, Edwards claims his 28,000 square foot mansion is carbon neutral because, like Al Gore, he purchases indulgences carbon offsets.
Seriously. To hell with this guy. If the Democrats nominate Edwards in 2008 I’ll be voting Republican again.
See also:
- John Edwards, TV Preacher
UPDATE MAY 27: Here’s what I hope is a more succinct explanation of why Edwards is such a hypocrite. The John Edwards plan to fight poverty involves the rest of us paying higher taxes and him giving speeches and taking tax money in the form of speaking fees at public universities.
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Hmm so it is hypocritical to do that – but Rudy is a hero while he makes over 16$ million to talk about 9/11 which ended with over 3,000 American dead.
I see.
“Rudy is a hero”
Says who? Not me.
I understand that people collect speaking fees. But when a guy who is a multi-millionaire many times over charges $55,000 speaking fees to talk about poverty, it’s irony overload.
I didn’t even mention the half million he collected from working for a hedge fund devoted to poverty or whatever it was.
He’s getting richer by talking about poverty, while not making any meaningful sacrifices himself. It’s disgusting.
Since when do you have to be poor to champion a poor cause?
Do you think the poor would have a voice at all if it were not for people like JOHN EDWARDS, or do you just like to spout off jiberish without a thought?
At some point Edwards is going to be passing around the collection plate to pay for his plan. Once he’s president the guys passing the plate will be IRS agents. Donation won’t be optional, and you’ll be tithing more than 10%, and more than you’re tithing now. You’ll give til it hurts, brother DK.
So you and I will be sacrificing, while Edwards hasn’t been and won’t be in any meaningful way. I can’t tolerate a guy who’s a zillion times richer than me telling me how disappointed Jesus is in us for not giving money to the poor. Let him lead by example.
Compulsory tithing. Now that’s a good way to run off your flock. The difference in that scenario and Edwards’ plan is that you cannot flee from this scheme.
Look, I’m a middle class guy with a wife and soon-to-be three kids. I pay my share of state, local, and federal taxes. I also donate to my church, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and various other functionaries. I don’t say this to get congratulations. I say that because I believe that we should all be good stewards of our money, yet I also believe we should all have the CHOICE of where it goes.
So it seems the Right Reverend Edwards’ plan is to give women the choice when it comes to terminating a pregnancy, but not to me and you when it comes to allocating my money.
Yes, Les. That is disgusting, indeed.