Senator John Edwards was up in New Hampshire this weekend and gave a terrific speech outlining his ideas for the future of America. Edwards was the only candidate during the 2004 presidential primaries to make ending poverty a central theme of his campaign. He hasn’t abandoned that goal:
It may seem like an impossible goal to end poverty, but that's what the skeptics said about all of our other great challenges. If we can put a man on the moon, conquer polio, and put libraries of information on a chip, then we can end poverty for those who want to work for a better life.
Edward’s words stand in sharp contrast to the plans of George W. Bush. He released his budget today and it includes cutbacks in health care for the poor and other anti-poverty programs so that the nation can afford Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. The former North Carolina senator had some strong words about the president’s leadership:
George Bush likes to talk about an "Ownership Society." We already have one: CEO's with jets; Power companies that get their way even if the health of children and pregnant women suffer. Oil companies who write our energy policy. George Bush's so-called "Ownership Society" is a secret society that rewards the wealthiest and shuts out those who work hard every day.
Edwards will be heading up the new Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The new position shows his continued commitment to finding solutions to the real moral issues that plague our nation.
Related Post: John Edwards Talks About Race At Clergy Leadership Network National Gathering
