Edwards touts big fight for small towns

[JohnLocke]

Edwards touts big fight for small towns
By Stephani Finley--Creston News Advertiser
Friday, July 27, 2007
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He said the people of rural Iowa need to have a U.S. president who understands their needs. John Edwards said he’s that man.

Edwards, a Democratic presidential hopeful and former North Carolina senator, said he is willing to take on the “big guys” for the average people of America.

“There’s one way to take their power away from them and that’s to beat them,” Edwards said. “You have to take ‘em on head on and you have to beat them.

“If you think we can have universal health care, by talking with the insurance companies and the drug companies, it will never happen.”

Edwards was in Creston Thursday afternoon on a campaign stop, where he spoke before an audience of more than 150 at the restored Creston Depot about giving power back to the American people and away from big business and a “rigged politiacl system.”

“These people have billions of dollars at stake. They’re not going to change,” Edwards said. “They’re terrified of big change. They don’t want to see it happen. I don’t know about you, but I think this country badly needs big change.”

Edwards said he can make those changes happen because he was first to come out with a universal health care plan, he has an aggressive energy plan and a “clear plan for getting out of Iraq.”

Two Americas
Edwards said there are two Americas — one America is made up of rich people and big companies, the other is everyone else.

“Talk about something that’s rigged. Man, the tax system is rigged,” Edwards said. “George Bush has made it really easy for the richest people in the country and for big corporations to do well. And they’re doing great.”

Edwards touted the tax system that he announced earlier Thursday at an event in Des Moines.

“First we’ll help middle-class and lower-income families,” he said. “Help them save by matching what they are able to save. We have terrible savings rates in this country. Nobody’s saving. There’s a reason people don’t save. They have to pay their bills. They don’t have any money to save.”

He would also expand the earned income tax credit, which, he said provides better help for families that are working. He would expand the child care tax credit and make college accessible for everyone.

Fair share
Edwards said on the other side of the spectrum, he will increase the capital gains rate for those making more than $250,000 a year.

“So those people who are making most of their money, millions of dollars on their investment, they’re going to have to pay their fair share,” said Edwards. “It makes all the sense in the world. ... It’s not right and it needs to be stopped.”

He said he is going to be the president that end the off-shore tax havens.

“We are going to have to close some loopholes that the highest-ncome Americans are taking advantage of,” he said. “ ... I believe everybody, including me, people who have done well, have a responsibility to pay their fair share.”

http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/articles/2007/07/27/news/local_news/7-27aajohnedwards.txt