Reply #20: Edwards -- Taxes: 10

[AP]

And, since this is the most important tool the right is using to protect their hegemony, I think it's the most important issue for the candidates.

Folks, this election (and the previous election) were all about who's going to bear the burden and who's going to reap the benefits of American society, and tax law is weapon number one in the strategy.

Edwards is the only candidate who talks about progressivity in the income tax structure, and about the issues which flow down from the burden-benefit issue (like education and class).

Edward gets it, in my opinion, making him one of the most progressive in the field.

Now, I don't think many Americans understand how taxes can be such a litmus test for progressivity, but I also think that's OK, because a lot of the middle of the spectrum voters not inclined to vote for a progressive, will be willing to vote for Edwards because they don't see how progressive he is.