Edwards campaigning against poverty

[Catchawave]

By JON ERICSON, Courier Staff Writer

WATERLOO --- John Edwards sees a fight against poverty as a moral imperative.

And, perhaps, as a way for Democrats to regain the higher moral ground from Republicans.

On Friday he addressed the state convention of the Iowa Federation of Labor. In his speech, he focused on poverty, but also issued a challenge for Democrats to maintain their values of old, to stand up for the poor.

"I became a Democrat because our party is the voice for those who have no voice," Edwards said. "Well, we have to stand up for the 36 million people who live in poverty every day."

<snip>

"How 'bout we go out with a passion and backbone for what we believe," Edwards said. "We need to fight for the people we've always fought for. We don't need to be shifting and jiving to meet what the polls yesterday said or what the focus group said."

<snip>

More...
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2005/08/20/news/metro/8ffc5d54a502679c86257063000708ab.prt

[Missy M]

1. We don't have to reach very high to regain the 'higher moral ground'

from Republicans. I didn't realize they had any morals.

[greekspeak]

3. Ah, there IS no reaching, for Republican morality is smoke and mirrors

The Good Witch of the North told Dorothy she could go back home any time, but she first had to understand what that meant. Likewise, all the Dems have to do is realize that Puke morality is smoke and mirrors. Once they figure this out, they will OWN the moral high ground out and out.

Republican morality is one part hot air, one part empty platitude, one part self righteous hypocrisy, and about 5 parts each of greed, hate, thirst for power, and thirst for control of minds.

[kentuck]

2. Democrats need to listen to Edwards message.

Whether or not he will be the nominee in 2008, he is a major player.

[Catchawave]

7. He is also an inspiring man with a message.....

I like that :)

[Donailin]

4. Yeah, he's fighting against poverty because he can't fight against the war

since he voted for the iraq war resolution.

The war has to be the only thing dems are fighting for at this time, and so many of them can't because they voted for it.

It's the elesphant in the room. It has to be dealt with first before we move on to the . . . vaccuuming, dusting and serving of the dinner.

Until this president and congress changes hands, dems are wasting their time lamenting on other issues. JMO.

[Catchawave]

6. Correct me if I'm wrong.....

Didn't he vote "for" the war resolution based on the same lies the rest of the congress voted "for" the war ?

Also, I think domestic issues are a great foundation in pre-pre-primary season :) At least his ass is doing something ! And whether JRE runs or not in 2008, I hope he has his butt firmly planted in the 2009 Democratic Administration ! As I hope most of our DU guys are.

[1932]

5. Currently reading Confessions of an Economic Hit Man:

America's foreign policy (force other countries to open up to American business, sabotage their elections if they don't do that, and invade them if sabotage doesn't work) is the three step process that leads to Iraq and Afghanistan, according to its author, John Perkins.

Perkins also says this three step process of American empire is morally bankrupt and is causing incredible disparities in wealth and is causing misery as it shifts wealth to the wealthy.

I think that impoverishing people abroad is also a big reason people are poor at home. Jobs go abroad because the working man here has to compete with a working person abroad who is being utterly exploited by multinational corporation.

At some point, Edwards needs to kick his poverty message open wide to include and explain American foreign policy.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

8. Good! He is representing a core DemParty issue that needs more attention.

[Coexist]

9. Good for him.

I wish him well with that.

[European Socialist]

10. Not a big Edwards fan...

But, he does dare say the word poverty-a word most Democrats won't use anymore.

[Hidden Stillness]

11. No One Since Pres. Johnson has Addressed Poverty

When Democrats will ever do anything that will allow poor and middle class people to experience a change to their lives--an improvement or the solution of a problem--instead of this non-stop pandering to corporations by both Republicans and "D"LC types, then they will know that there was a reason to vote Democratic. Democrats have to act like Democrats again, and not just give us the slogans, and snide brush-offs as you refuse to answer our questions. I think, and I hope, that Edwards is now doing that. We are being price-gouged and underpaid, to death. Do something that relates to us.

[robbedvoter]

12. I am against poverty myself. And against cancer and bad weather.

But, hey, that's just me, a lonely, no surrender, trail blazing fearless fighter.