2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENT: John Edwards
By Vince Leibowitz on Sep 4, 2007 in Annex Endorsements ![[Post to Twitter]](/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
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There is a truly marvelous field of Democratic candidates seeking our Party’s nomination for President in 2008. We have longtime stars of our party like Hillary Clinton and rising stars like Barack Obama. But, to us here at Capitol Annex, one candidate stands out above the rest: John Edwards.
As Texas Democrats who still believe strongly in the dream of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society, we at Capitol Annex believe that John Edwards is best suited–and has the best vision and plan–to roll-back the eight years of destruction that has been done to the policies of the New Deal and the Great Society by the Bush administration.
Lyndon Johnson’s dream was, as John Edwards’ is, for One America. We believe strongly in this. Edwards believes we can end poverty in America in a decade. It is a lofty goal, and America needs leaders with lofty goals willing to do everything possible to achieve them.
Too, John Edwards’ positions on a wide range of issues are, we believe, appropriately progressive. In particular, Edwards’ vision for protecting and restoring rural American resonate with us. Issues like rural recovery, rural broadband, and rural lending policies–and Edwards’ vision in that regard–should resonate with many Americans.
And, though Hillary Clinton has for a generation been America’s leading voice on universal health care, we believe John Edwards’ plan for health care for all, with emphasis on taking on big pharma and big insurance, is right for the time in which we live.
Edwards’ “Smart Trade” approach to trade policy (which has helped him earn the support of several labor unions) is also something we sorely need. After more than a decade of seeing an economic decline as a result of trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA, and more, now is the time for a progressive approach to trade that helps keep American jobs in America and doesn’t serve to deflate American wages. Edwards’ support of the Employee Free Choice Act is also a major plus for him.
A couple of other issues relating to working Americans also make us believe John Edwards is the clear choice for America:
# Make Work Pay: Edwards will increase the reward for working by raising the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2012, tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for adults without children and cutting the EITC marriage penalty. In 2001, a $1 increase in the minimum wage alone would have lifted an estimated 900,000 people out of poverty. [Sawhill and Thomas, 2001]
# Protect Prevailing Wages: Edwards pledges to protect the Davis Bacon Act, which ensures that workers on federal construction projects receive the local prevailing wage. The Act prevents contractors from slashing wages in order to win federal contracts with low-ball bids. It was shocking when President Bush intervened to keep workers from earning a decent wage after Hurricane Katrina, but we must be vigilant every day against abuses.
# Help Families Save and Get Ahead: Half of American families say they are living paycheck to paycheck, and three out of 10 American workers have not been able to save a dime for their retirement. Edwards will crack down on abusive lenders by creating a new Families Savings and Credit Commission to protect families and with strong national laws against abusive and predatory credit cards, payday loans and mortgages. Edwards will create Work Bonds to help families save and invest, providing financial safety nets for hard times. Work Bonds, a new tax credit of up to $500, would help low and moderate-income, working Americans save for the future. [MetLife, 2003; Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2006]
Edwards’ environmental policies are also top-notch. Ending global warming in a generation; the New Energy Economy Fund; and promoting electric efficiency instead of generating more electricity and more are all worthy ideas that should be implemented. In a state where new coal plants have caused significant controversy in recent years, the energy efficiency plan is especially important.
There are far more reasons to support John Edwards, and we encourage readers to go to his website and examine him as a candidate. We believe, when you do, that you will realize that John Edwards is best suited to restore the legacy of the Great Society and make America great once again.
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Great choice. I agree. John Edwards could be the most progressive president since FDR.
John Edwards also has less negatives thn either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.