John Edwards - the "deomocratic" wing of the Democratic Party

[Ninga]

Transformation change is the core of Edwards message. Edwards is standing on the shoulders of transformational change, speaking his message with the passion and the clarity of his vision.

This country needs a good scrubbing, a cleaning out of the special interests, the fat and cholesterol fast food quick fix eating on the run policies that have left those who are in need, peering into the window of democracy wondering how our country got so fat, dusty, and moldy in the corners.

John Edwards has met his match, and guess what.....it's John Edwards.


John Edwards and the Small "d" democratic Wing of the Democratic Party


http://eyeopener.typepad.com/

-snip-
One of Edward s's more exciting democratic Populism proposals is his One Democracy initiative and its Citizen's Congress proposal praised here by Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Government Professor Tina Nabatchi:

Most of us have no formal way to participate in decision making about the issues of highest public concern Iraq, taxes, health care, jobs, global warming, the environment, education, Social Security; the list can go on and on. No wonder the CBS News/New York Times poll found that only 10 percent of Americans believe they have a say in what the government does a "good deal" of the time! Finally, however, one of the presidential candidates is taking on this problem. Last month, John Edwards unveiled a government reform proposal that seeks to re-engage Americans with politics and government. His One Democracy initiative calls for the participation of ordinary Americans in politics through a Citizen Congress a program in which millions of Americans nationwide would participate in deliberations about critical policy issues, identify the challenges and trade- offs facing our country, and offer advisory opinions to leaders. Edwards' plan has the potential to strengthen our national democracy and reverse the trend of disengagement among American citizens by offering them a new voice. It could help the public identify common priorities (not the priorities of special interests and business), foster common ground and consensus, and develop solutions for the common good. In doing so, it could create a broad public constituency to stand behind and support our leaders' political actions, however difficult they might be. Mobilizing and engaging citizens in this way could help build the political will we so desperately need to act on serious matters of public policy.
-snip-

Read the entire post here:

http://eyeopener.typepad.com/

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. well--he certainly did transform

I just hope it isn't temporary.

[Ninga]

23. At this point in his life, I do not believe that he is fighting for something that will

just end up being "temporary."


Just take a look at how history reviews the life and times of a President. It is all documented...every move.

Why would Edwards advocate change, and not mean it? Why would anyone?

He is declaring in front of the whole world, who he is and what he stands for.....why would he turn his back?

If anything, he has proven that he has the ability to move forward, to grow and develop a broad vision for the good of many.

[cali]

2. Like his ideas

don't like his record- and yes, actions speak louder than words.

[Reno.Muse]

7. gee ...I could say the same for Reid or Clinton! Imagine that, Cali!

[cali]

9. huh? I couldn't. I don't support either Reid (what's he running for again?)

or Clinton. Your post doesn't address what I wrote.

[Clark2008]

19. We have been agreeing far too often as of late.

Did you get in the holiday egg nog?

:hi:

[johncoby2]

3. uh-oh. where did we hear that before?

And look where it got him.

[waiting for hope]

4. I love that idea -

And he would implement it too - it's time to bring democracy back to "we the people". Thanks Ninga! Nice post.

K&R!!

[neutron]

5. You mean DEMONIC wing of the party

His attack campaign on Senator Clinton has become near psychotic imho.

[Cameron27]

6. lol

[wyldwolf]

8. again, what has he done to earn (or be cursed) by this distinction?

[Fly by night]

10. Is that anywhere close to the "democratic wing" of the Party?

[asdjrocky]

11. A candidate that wants our views, and not just our money.

Very refreshing.

K&R

[mrfixit]

12. What a load of DRIVEL.

I am getting a little sick of all the pro-Edwards BULLSHIT being spammed onto this board today. Johnny-Come-Lately is NOT an Agent for Change.

He is simply More-of-the-Same-Shit with better teeth and a more expensive haircut.

from Edwards' voting record:
http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=21107

02/02/2000 Bankruptcy Reform bill - Voted Y
11/19/2002 Homeland Security Act of 2002 - Voted Y
05/21/2004 Condemning Iraq Abuse of Prisoners resolution - DID NOT VOTE
10/11/2002 Use of Military Force Against Iraq - Voted Y
10/06/2004 National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 - DID NOT VOTE
10/25/2001 USA Patriot Act of 2001 - Voted Y
09/14/2001 Military Force Authorization resolution - Voted Y
09/16/2003 FCC Media Ownership bill - DID NOT VOTE
09/19/2000 U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 - Voted Y

If Progressive Democrats ACTUALLY wanted change, Dennis Kucinich would be polling 30% or better in Iowa/NH.

We do not need ANOTHER President who makes bad decisions and compounds them into terrible mistakes...Hsn't the past six years shown that pretty clearly?

[waiting for hope]

13. Thanks for kicking the thread!

:hi:

[mrfixit]

15. No problem. I'll even kick it again...

I only hope that more people take a closer look at Johnny-Come-Lately's actual voting record...

[waiting for hope]

16. Please - keep kicking. It's an

excellent article. And about his voting record, as you have only been here for five days, this has been seen many times, and in the here and NOW, it is a mute point compared to what he is proposing on his platform.

[bvar22]

14. "Borrowing" from Kucinich again.

That being said, I find Edwards an acceptable compromise candidate, and my 2nd choice.


Hillary would rather PLANT questions than answer them!

[Ninga]

17. For transformational change, vote John Edwards. eom

[Uncle Joe]

18. I believe this to be a good idea.

I believe, this proposal could generate much needed democratic synergy and reinvigorate a national government paralyzed by political rigor mortise.

Thanks for the thread, Ninga.:thumbsup:

[Ninga]

20. Well, thanks back at ya, Uncle Joe. Edwards "gets" it. I think for the first time

in his political career, he is his own person.

When a Senator in NC, he was beholden to the vast and overwhelming conservative bent to his constituents.

I also believe that when he was a Senator, he was more centrist.

When he became the VP nominee, he was beholden to the vast and overwhelming Kerry philosophy. Because he was a second banana, he was given his talking points by the Kerry policy team, and even in the hours after the election he deferred to Kerry.

His populist message is his own, and not parred down or tailored for a specific audience, but for the country in general.

That is why he is able to hammer it home with such passion.....because he "owns" it, and wants to deliver transformational change.

[ChiciB1]

21. John Edwards Has Been Trying To Engage A "We The People"

message for quite some time. Unfortunately some here just don't want to hear the message! He ALWAYS talks about what "WE" need to do, and that no President or Congress can do it alone!

What others don't get about this I don't understand! Right now, those in the WH and almost ALL in Congress seem to want to run everything THEIR way, and they have forgotten they were supposed to REPRESENT the PEOPLE!!

[Ninga]

22. Excellet point. We get it, don't We. Thanks.

:hi:

[ChiciB1]

24. We Sure Do!! And I'm Still Out Here Pushing The AGENDA!!

Been busy getting ready for T-Day and didn't see your post!!
:toast: :bounce: