John Edwards: Time to End the Game

[jsamuel]

Run time: 03:03 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmz4XX-Q5aw   Posted on YouTube: August 23, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: August 23, 2007 By DU Member: jsamuel Views on DU: 2408

 
Full speech here: http://johnedwards.com/news/speeches/20070823-hanover-speech/

"The choice for our party could not be more clear. We cannot replace a group of corporate Republicans with a group of corporate Democrats, just swapping the Washington insiders of one party for the Washington insiders of the other.

The American people deserve to know that their presidency is not for sale, the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent, and lobbyist money can no longer influence policy in the House or the Senate. "

...

"I have a bold plan to finally guarantee true universal health care for every single American and cut health care costs for everyone. My plan will require everyone -- business, government and individuals -- to contribute something to reach universal coverage. And I am honest about the cost: $90 to $120 billion a year, and I'll pay for it by repealing the Bush tax cuts for families above $200,000. If we end the game in Washington, we can finally have a health care system that treats the health of all our people with equal worth."

...

"Trade policy is all about corporate profits for big multinationals and not at all about lifting workers' wages or creating American jobs."

...

"It's time we put our economy back in line with our values. Let's restore fairness to our tax code by insisting on a simple principle -- nobody in the middle class should pay higher taxes on the money they make from hard work than the wealthiest pay on the money they make from their investments. Let's restore opportunity and responsibility to our trade policy by requiring that every new trade deal puts workers and wages first. Let's reward work by strengthening unions, raising the minimum wage, cutting taxes on working families and with a national commitment to end poverty within a generation.

And let's support our troops and end this war in Iraq. We should immediately withdraw 40-50,000 combat troops immediately and have the rest out in about a year. And when President Bush refuses to act, Congress should use its funding power to force him to act. "

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3472010

[Ninga]

1. We don't hear this from anyone else but Edwards...so wise and so right on! I am going to

go to Iowa to help his campaign.

Damn it....I want him to win....because America desevers to have a President who owns up, and works hard, and understands what it means to not have two nickles to rub together.

Bless him!

[jsamuel]

2. Thank you!!!

So many of us are unable to go, so your going gives the rest of us hope! I am going to see if I can go.

[ChiciB1]

16. Go, Johnny, Go! My Mantra! And His!

Been a LONG TIME supporter and I don't CARE what anyone says. He has matured so much since 2004 and he's been up front and outspoken on so many issues lately!

And before those of you who really hate them start it again... I don't care, I'm NOT going there with you!!!!

[be inspired]

3. Best speech EVER!

This is so awesome! I have only dreamed of hearing this from a presidential candidate.

[Inspired]

8. I agree.

He is amazing, isn't he? His words ring true to my ears.

[pioneer111]

4. The System IS rigged

and the people can change it by their votes.

Or we can be taken in by the smooth messages of the DC establishment and the Clintons.

I like Hillary but she will never change the system, she has figured it out and now uses it.

Fantastic speech and video. Go John Go. :kick:

[zazzle]

10. rigged for the wealthy to reward wealth - not work! Edwards gets it

[liberal N proud]

18. Edwards is the only candidate to ever make the statement

He is the only one to ever admit that the system is rigged and corrupt.

That is why the media and everyone is attacking him, he is not playing their game. And that is why I choose John Edwards.

[ultraist]

5. Edwards is fighting Washington Insiders like no other!

Go Edwards! Time to end the game and take back our democracy!

The full speech is here: http://johnedwards.com/news/speeches/20070823-hanover-speech/

[sonias]

6. The system in Washington is rigged

Greedy corporate whores!

Sonia

[Sam Ervin jret]

7. Did u ever notice the only 1's who want the "old" time back are usually white and men!

They wrote all the rules then and they want the good ole days back. None of this sharing of power for them. I must make one point to Sen. Edwards. Our economy has never been in line with values that represent the good of the people. We walk a fine line between open markets, business regulations, the needs of the community and the needs of the communities institutions. The people are not asking for much more than a fair chance. They deserve more, but ask only for this.

We need a balance between the needs of business and the needs of workers. Does anyone remember what a union used to be?

We need a balance between American jobs and open markets. Does anyone remember when you did not need to have a college degree to get a job that would allow to buy a house?

If we are moving from a manufacturing economy to an information economy, as all the experts say, it would seem prudent to make the ability to attain, analyze, and compute information the backbone of our educational system. We are instead in the process of "leaving behind" an entire generation of minds to a system that has been totally dedicated to the testing of the memorization skills of this future workforce. Learning to learn has been given over to learning the test.

Taxes have never been fair so fairness could not be restored, but we could use some saneness.

The multinational corporations need to remember no workers - no consumers.

[dionysus]

27. excellent post! welcome to DU!

[zazzle]

9. Time for change - time for John Edwards!

[rwheeler31]

11. This is the message we need to hear.

John is great.

[LaPera]

12. Thank you John Edwards!!

[Indenturedebtor]

13. Ok

I know who I'm voting for in the primaries... the media will now try to crush him. Or he'll die in a mystery plane crash... But I'll write him in.. dead or alive

[Comadreja]

15. The media

. ..will more than likely try to ignore him or at least edit his speeches to the shortest sound bites ever.

[zazzle]

32. This election is - the Corporate media vs. The People

obviously the corporate media prefers a rockstar candidate with his 1/2 nude pic on the cover of People mag - and an "inevitability" candidate on the cover of Fortune mag - rolling in the moolah from the corporatists inside the cover.
John Edwards' serious and detailed plans and solutions to help the working poor and middle class are detested by the corporate media - part of the Washington establishment.
Why does the corporate media hate the working poor and middle class?

[stlsaxman]

14. Edwards looks like RFK and (more importantly) sound like Al Gore...

I've read that speech just a few months back in "The Assault On Reason". NOT calling Edwards a plagiarist- the words are his own, certainly. But, it's so nice to hear one of the current front runners using ideas so simular to the former v-p's.

If Gore doesn't run- Edwards is my pick.

Keep speaking TTP, John!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

24. yikes I was JUST thinking that when I saw that grainy picture

on DU home page !!

I am with you 100% - I decided on him last week when I heard his talk about setting up a cabinet level position to get something done in NOLA. He said every single day he would ask, "Ok, what have you done in NOLA today."

that did it for me plus the fact that he can win in a general. !

[stevietheman]

17. This is nearly enough to make me choose Edwards...

over all the others. I hope he stays on this tack and doesn't let go. Because, after all, he's 100% correct.

[LSK]

23. in the past couple of months he has been becoming louder and louder with this theme

If you look at his career as a lawyer, you know it is genuine and this is not just lip service. His campaign I believe has always been about telling the honest truth and letting the chips fall where they may. Remember he announced in NOLA.

[zazzle]

33. some Progressives were never distracted by the media's shiny new objects

and have been supporting John Edwards from the gitgo.

[Wapsie B]

19. That's certainly a bold statement by someone in his position.

To openly admit the system is one big shell game for the wealthy is saying something. Now if he's got a plan to end corporate personhood he's got my ear. It all starts with ending corporate influence in the political system and placing the rights of the individual above that of any corporation.

[LSK]

20. K&R

[Ladyhawk]

21. I am sofa king suspicious...

...that even when I hear the truth from a politician, I'm wondering what his ulterior motives are.

[LSK]

22. learn about Edwards career as a lawyer, this is entirely consistent

The movie Erin Brockovich could have been made about him.

He has ALWAYS fought Corporations.

[benny05]

31. Absolutely

This is not just about Clinton, but Bush, and the whole system.

[defendandprotect]

25. Good stuff from Edwards -- except he should simply extend Medicare to everyone --- simpler.

[LSK]

26. that is essentially what he is doing

http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care-overview.pdf

[zazzle]

34. Edwards healthcare plan transitions to single payer

Anyone thinking the Insurance industry will be abolished overnight is on some powerful stuff.

[tinrobot]

28. Wow... finally truth to power.

He's definitely my candidate.

[booley]

29. and this is why...

...for all his gaffes and how his wife is more progressive then he is, I still support Edwards.

Still wish he would "get there" on the issue of gay marriage, however.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Divine Discontent]

36. you lack major comprehension skills

what else needs said...

and - "LITTLE john" be sure to enjoy your short stay under this username.

[RestoreGore]

35. And what about the climate crisis?

ALL candidates must include this crisis and what their plan is to reduce CO2 and other GHG emissions in their platforms. Please do not ignore the warnings and wisdom of Al Gore.

[cynthia]

37. no wonder Rove and the RIght is afraid of him

they should be shaking in their boots

GO John!

[Divine Discontent]

38. they are...

the video of bill maher slamming bill o'reilly shows they are! bill o attacks and laughs at bill m's comment that john e is the best we have and most likely to win if given the nomination. bill o said that he is barely alive in the primary chase and bill m said people haven't even voted yet! loved it! also, his slams were great on bill o and the repub candidates. and wow, what does it say that bill m. supports john e. pretty supportively, although, not outright endorsing him, when bill m. is an atheist and john e. is very much a christian man - that's so cool... bill really believes in him like I do! love bill m.