Dear Senator Edwards

[democraticrevolution]

January 23, 2005


Dear Senator Edwards,



Right now I'm sure you realize that you are probably one of the few national political figures who is talking about poverty in America. I am glad to see that you have decided to take such an issue on since most politicians would not touch the issue. To them it does not seem to energize people and get them to the polls. It is also good to have someone at least bringing up the issue of poverty who was a candidate for the presidency and then the vice-presidency. Because of that you are still fresh in the minds of the American people.

There is another issue that I wanted to bring to your attention that is directly influenced by poverty, and that issue is the state of our public schools in low income inner city areas all throughout the United States. Currently I am reading a book which has made me extremely angry. I do not think I have ever read a book which has done so. The name of the book is The Shame of the Nation and it's author is Jonathan Kozol. I would highly recommend this book to you. I would ask that you read it immediately. In his book Kozol points out that segregation has returned in American schools. For example, all throughout New York City you have public schools with minorities making up ninety-two percent of the student body. If you go to the suburbs in New York ninety percent of the students are white. The schools in the poor inner city areas are dilapidated. There is also an outrageous difference in the cost per student versus that of a student in a suburban school. Most of these urban schools don't even have libraries anymore. Their is no funding for after-school programs and it just gets worse. Tell me Senator, why do we have a two-tier education system?

The thing that disgusted me the most from reading this book is the curriculum that has been installed into these inner-city schools. It is best described as a militant corporate system that is being indoctrinated into students. In this system they make kids think that the only jobs they will ever have is something low wage, like a retail or service based job. Some of the schools you will see this system in place is in places like the South Bronx, New York and Peoria, Illinois.

You have your culinary schools that train kids to work in the food services industry. You have your health profession schools which train kids to be low wage workers in nursing homes and hospitals. Education as you and I knew it, for children in low income neighborhoods who have this corporate model implemented is non-existent. They are taught to be robots and nothing more. They are not led to believe that they can become doctors, lawyers, scientists, poets, or teachers. No, their future is to one day be a department manager at some big box retail store. Talk of college is not even on the radar screen. Of course the corporations sponsor such programs because they will always need an ample supply of cheap slave labor. Let them go to Beverly Hills, California or Scarsdale, New York and try to do this, the parents there would literally revolt.

What's even worse is in New York we have the Campaign for Fiscal Equity which is supposed to make sure that every school gets the funding it deserves. Yet, our legislators in Albany have dragged their feet for too long. I don't even want to think about what people in other states have to go through.

In closing, I would ask that you really read the book and seriously consider looking into this issue. If you are going to be the voice against poverty for the American people then this issue of segregation in our schools is one that you cannot ignore. How dare they get away with doing this to children Senator? Have they no shame? Why aren't more of our elected officials talking about this? At least you bring up poverty, but some don't even do that. I ask that you please help us all stand up and fight back.

In an on air interview on 99.5 WBAI radio Jonathan Kozol said that at his age he is not going to hold anything back when it comes to issues of injustice. I'm a young person and even I will refuse to hold back as well. I want to raise some hell and I'm asking that you help us do just that. There is a class war brewing Senator, it can be avoided but only if things are set right.


Sincerely Yours,


Jason D. Gooljar

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. Kids like you...

give me hope for the future.

:thumbsup: Good Job!

[Mr_King]

2. You're America's Future

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
-Sen. Ted Kennedy

[elshiva]

3. Thank YOU!

:hug: :yourock:

[wiley]

4. Kozol has always been amazing

I would love to see any candidate start talking about race based segregation in public schools. Thanks for bringing it up - and caring.

:patriot:

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. Why John Edwards is one of the very few politicians that even talks about

poverty in America? Back in the 60's even Rockefeller and Scranton (both Republicans) talked about it as well as virtually every Democrat across the spectrum from LBJ and Humphrey to McCarthy and McGovern. Now with poverty on the rise and so much of the middle class collapsing the message in timelier than ever.

[babylonsister]

6. Now we have poverty still, lack of healthcare, Medicaid isn't

great, nor is Medicare, poverty in America? Stand by; it's not going to be pretty. And the current Rockfeller is a Dem, FYI.

[Mass]

9. Other dems speak about poverty - Edwards has made this subject

his trademark and he now is out of elected office and can focus on what he wants.

I admire that he has taken his post at UNC and is speaking about poverty. However, dont underestimate what others do on the same subject (starting by Kennedy trying again and again to increase minimum wage, or a bunch of Senators trying to increase LIHEAP funds against Republicans, among other examples).

Not to forget about Harkin that has made tons of speeches on the Senate floor on this issue. Edwards is fashionnable, so what he says carries. Reporters are less inclined to report when others speak about poverty - The subject is not fashionnable.

[blue neen]

7. Excellent letter.

Let us know if you get a response.

:thumbsup:

[Catchawave]

8. Welcome to DU young Dem !

I like your letter which reminds me how very concerned Sen. Edwards is too :hi:

http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/20050919.asp