Reply #34: not so.....

[FrenchieCat]

and it is my opinion that saying the word "poverty" itself is not the solution to it.

Those talking about improving our education system and cost, singlepayer health, job mobility assistance, and fair trade are in fact peaking on the issue of instutionalized poverty which requires many solutions. And it isn't only John Edwards "speaking" on those issues. In fact, there are many proposals out there from many politicians just as wonderful as those belonging to John Edwards.

I'm still looking for legislation that John Edwards championed on this issue that he is currently so passionate about during his 6 years in the senate. Thus far, aside from supporting a minimum wage increase (something that most if not all Democrats supported), I don't really find anything. :shrug:

In reference to Barack Obama, I find much!
Close tax loopholes for US companies relocating abroad. (Jun 2004)
REAL USA Plan: Reward companies that create domestic jobs. (Jun 2004)
Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education. (Jun 2006)
Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
Provide decent funding and get rid of anti-intellectualism. (Jul 2004)
Address the growing achievement gap between students. (May 2004)
Will add 25,000 teachers in high-need areas. (May 2004)
Supports charter schools and private investment in schools. (Jul 1998)
Free public college for any student with B-average. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Three months working on minority students recycling. (Aug 1996)
Insist on labor and human rights standards for China trade. (Jul 2004)
Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Health care tied to balancing costs and taxes nation wide. (Jun 2006)
Allowing seniors to bulk purchase will save taxpayers' money. (Oct 2004)
Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary. (Oct 2004)
Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few. (Sep 2004)
Lead global fight against AIDS. (Jul 2004)
Allow prescription drug re-importation. (May 2004)
Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported. (May 2004)
Ensure access to basic care. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Overrode federal overtime rules and raised the minimum wage. (Sep 2004)
Make sure that African-American men have access to jobs. (Jul 2004)
Fund Trade Adjustment Assistance for service workers too. (Jun 2004)
Increase IL minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. (Jun 2004)
Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs. (May 2004)
Obama will strengthen unions and workers? rights. (May 2004)
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
$2000 tax credit for Working Families Savings Accounts. (Jul 2004)
Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
Welfare receipts know how to become successful but need help. (Jul 2004)
$100M increase in IL Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jun 2004)
Inner city problems are the painful truths. (Aug 1996)
Exorcise the ghostly figure that haunts black dreams. (Aug 1996)
Supports affirmative action in colleges and government:
http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Barack_Obama.htm

Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few
Obama believes health care is a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few. He has made affordable health care a priority - he delivered coverage to an additional 20,000 children and 65,000 parents in Illinois and sponsored a bill to protect the uninsured from price gouging. He has proposed a detailed health plan that covers every child in America, allows those near retirement to buy into Medicare, and ensures coverage for those losing jobs through no fault of their own.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.org, "On the Issues" Sep 28, 2004

Lead the global fight against the AIDS virus.
The US must give its fair share to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to avoid both a humanitarian and economic crisis. President Bush's budget this year actually cuts the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund by 65 percent. As Senator, I will hold President Bush to his word and fully fund our commitment to the war on AIDS. We must also increase the availability of generic drugs to AIDS victims around the world.
Source: Press Release, "Renewal of American Leadership " Jul 12, 2004

Allow prescription drug re-importation
Barack Obama called for a vote on a bi-partisan bill that would allow the re-importation of safe prescription drugs from industrialized countries at lower prices. "I ask for a Senate vote to allow safe imports of US-approved drugs that are manufactured in US-approved plants," Obama said. "And, I urge Jack Ryan to stop siding with the drug manufacturers and put aside his opposition to the re-importation of lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada."
Source: Press Release, "Prescription Drug Re-Importation" May 21, 2004

Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported
Obama has proposed a detailed health plan that covers every child in America, allows those near retirement to buy into Medicare, and ensures coverage for those losing jobs through no fault of their own. He will allow re-importation of drugs from other industrialized nations and fight for a Medicare prescription drug law that allows the federal government to negotiate drug prices.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com, ?On The Issues? May 2, 2004

Ensure access to basic care
Principles that Obama supports on health care:
Provide tax incentives to small businesses who provide health care to their employees.
Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care, through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
Provide health care to uninsured children by expanding Medicaid.
Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998
http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Barack_Obama_Health_Care.htm#8

So I don't think that John Edwards truly holds the corner market on this issue that many have before and after him have cared about just as much, and in some case more.

I realize it "sounds" good to attribute John Edwards with some much credit, but the proof is in the pudding.....and his pudding ain't all that "thick"...although I'm glad he's talking about the issue just like others have.