WOW. Edwards actually gets it: the people versus corporations

[ProfessorPlum]

He is actually pointing out that the American people, if they want some power to come back to them, and to leash some of the unfettered power of the corporations, will actually need to TAKE it from them. To fight them, not ask politely, not hope for a better future, but to stand up on our hind legs behind a President who is really willing to draw some lines in the sand, and DEMAND a better life for our country and ourselves.

His appearances on this weekend's political shows were incredible.

What this clearly means is the media will be given permission to Dean scream him. Let's hope they don't find anything they can use.

[Rex]

1. They will have to shitcan that stuff fast! Or wait for everything to go digital.

And then edit his play time on the 'airwaves'.

[mmonk]

2. Yep.

And if the voters get it, he may well be the nominee.

[melody]

3. Edwards has been fighting big business a long time

He knows of what he speaks.

[AndyA]

4. The corporations will not give it up willingly.

They DO NOT have our best interest at heart. That is why we pay higher for prescription medicine here in the United States.

It will have to be ripped from their grasp, there will be no negotiating or compromise. Nothing is stopping them from doing the right thing right now, but they are not doing it. Actions speak louder than words. It will have to be taken away from them.

[EV_Ares]

41. If you want someone who will fight for you against the corporations,

Edwards is the man and has already proven himself in that arena.

Corporations will do everything in their power to keep him from getting the nomination.

Edwards is your man.

[tekisui]

5. Those are the Two Americas.

[Hoof Hearted]

36. Yep. There are.

[Vickers]

61. Why didn't you post a photo of the Bush Kennebunkport compound?

:shrug:

[saracat]

6. K and R .Edwards is and has been incredible!

[yodermon]

7. Hedge Funds! HEDGE FUNDS, GODDAMMIT! and Haircuts and Big Ass HOUSES!

Senate Voting Record! Senate Voting REcord! Bankruptcy Bill! Yucca mountain!
Aack! Ththpht!

[OHdem10]

9. These things are so insignificant in comparison to the good

he does and will do for the country.

[CANDO]

12. FDR was called a "class traitor" by the ultra-wealthy.

What's in the man's heart is what matters to me. I don't give a crap about large estates and $400 haircuts. This man has spent his adult life taking corporations to the outhouse for a good ass whipping, and they don't like that.

[Catchawave]

17. We must never forget FDR !

John Edwards could have gotten wealthier by not running for President. He could have "pandered" to the Des Moines Register and told them what "they wanted to hear" to endorse him ! And better yet,

The GOP cannot stockpile mud against him :D

[bobbolink]

20. .

:rofl:

[Ignis]

21. Snake oil! You forgot the snake oil and the ambulance chasing!

Can't leave out two of the most important reactionary, idiotic, anti-Edwards memes floating around!

:rofl:

[JDPriestly]

37. Edwards earned all of $500,000 from his hedge fund job.

That may sound like a fantastic amount of money to you and me, but the bosses of Wall Street companies are making many, many millions per year. His $500,000 is not that much compared to the $30 million that a head of a Hollywood studio might make. It's all relative.

[asdjrocky]

55. Check vote smart. Know your facts.

As far as Hedge Funds... wow, Clinton and Obama get 3 to 4 times from Hedge Funds than Edwards ever received.

[ElboRuum]

57. Hey, Bill!!!

Will there be a Dëthtongüe reunion?

[amandabeech]

63. Aack! Ththpht! Edwards has some cleaning up to do.

However, I'll still vote for him.

For some reason, Obama makes the hairs on the back of my head stand up. Usually when that happens, there's something wrong with the person. I hope that I'm wrong, but I've been right too many times to be able to vote for Obama in the primary. I wish I could tell you why I feel this way, but I can't. It's purely subconscious.

I don't want four more years of triangulation, so I can't vote for Sen. Clinton.

I'd go with the others, except Richardson because of his interest in pumping Great Lakes water to New Mexico.

[balantz]

8. All things weighed, he is by far our best choice.

[YOY]

47. With a bullet straight to the top.

Glad to say it. I'd love to see him in office.

[Evergreen2U]

10. Edwards 80% on top of it

Yup...Edwards appears to understand what the major problem is more than any other Democrat Presidential contender...except of course, Kucinich who in my book is the only 100%er.

Note that Edwards has also had the cojones to say where he was wrong in the past....that is presidential buck stopping talk.... unlike the sniveling little toad currently in the presidential seat who doesn't take responsibility for anything.

[Gold Metal Flake]

11. I've made my choice.

[Yuugal]

23. Damn that pic gives me the shiveries! nt

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. A plaintiff's lawyer who is in the right is an awesome sight to behold.

Fighting against big evil corporations to make sure that seriously injured people are compensated and that if they are killed, that their relatives get just compensation.

Sometimes the jury will not give a seriously injured plaintiff anything, in which case plaintiff becomes a disabled burden on the taxpayers.

[European Socialist]

14. I agree--what he says rings true--my second choice after Dennis K.

[Writer]

15. The stupidity of this entire issue is that the public always has had power,

but we equate power with money to such a ridiculous degree that we fail to see that all we need is a large presence and a strong voice, as well as determination to make change.

It's not up to corporations, it's up to us.

~Writer~

[Auggie]

54. Well put, Writer. I'm really getting pissed at people who don't vote.

[truedelphi]

60. I'm P O'ed too. But I'm mad as well at all those who say we must

Placate this element or that one - toss the executives of the insurance companies their large bone to ensure "Universal" health coverage and allow Hillary to make good on her loyalty to her campaign contributors.

I like Edwards because of his defiance and his proven ability to shake the corporations to their knees.

[B Calm]

16. What's refreshing about Edwards, he's clearly on the side of labor!

[frogmarch]

18. K&R Edwards is my kind of candidate.

I liked him very much in the last election too, even when I didn't know for certain he was a fighter and not a "Let's everyone be nice and meet each other halfway" kind of candidate who'd sell us all down the river. Now I'm certain Edwards is a fighter who will kick butt if elected.

Go Edwards! You're the IT candidate for lots of Americans.

[EVDebs]

19. Show the movie The Corporation as an Edwards campaign get-together

and you can also show Three Days Of The Condor and discuss Robt Redford's CIA character and what he read that started his troubles, then read this

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/01/02/MNG8G427D61.DTL

and say, hey ! the DoD just tweaked some Nixon-era plans and switched 'Saudi Arabia' to 'Iraq' and voila !

[Yuugal]

24. I'd pick "Roger and Me" nt

[sandyd921]

22. K & R! Edwards is my kind of candidate too: A real fighter!

n/t

[midnight]

25. I agree... He does seem to get it. It is called being fair. You

can't let the big kids at the table all the time without letting the little kids have a chance to be at the table too.

[upi402]

26. Spot on. They have sunk Kucinich even to liberals somehow.. NEXT?

[Prefer]

27. Dennis sunk himself

He Ron Pauled a big hole in his ability for anyone to take him seriously.

[upi402]

29. Corporate media avoided him in the debates giving little air time. Then omitted him 100%

He did that?
I bet you actually think Hillary is a Democrat too don't ya?

[nolabels]

38. Edwards / Kucinich ticket, the corporations worst nightmare

Would be quite the insurance policy too.

[dysfunctional press]

28. re-regulate the new robber barons.

there's a REASON that it was done the first time around...let's hope that THIS time we can make it stick.

[porphyrian]

46. I know where I'd like to make it stick.

You can say that again.

[yardwork]

52. Absolutely. This goes right back to deregulation under Reagan.

[notanotherday]

59. Lets not forget the Clintons happily continued Reagan leagacy and added NAFTA

The DLC democratic party is just as bad as the republicans, and Clintons.

[yardwork]

62. Not just as bad. As a socialist, the country is far from my liking.

But no Democrat is just as bad as these Republicans.

[dysfunctional press]

64. in many ways- the dlc is WORSE than the republicans.

at least the republicans aren't traitors to their own party.

[onehandle]

30. John is the one. nt

[Blackhatjack]

31. Edwards knows and says it will be hard work taking back the power from wealthy corporate interests..

I get the feeling listening to Hillary and Obama that they are saying just vote for me and sit back and watch .... I will act for you by negotiating with these special interest/corporate interests... you won't have to do anything but WATCH.

What Edwards is saying that rings true is it will take all of us working hard together to strip the levers of power that the corporate/special interests have on OUR GOVERNMENT TODAY. But that it can be done, and he will lead the way ... if we give him the chance by electing him President.

Forget the national polling. THIs message is ringing true with crowds everywhere he speaks.

If people choose to vote and sit back and watch ... I fear nothing is going to change.

If people choose to vote and get involved with the new Edwards ADministration, then everything can change... and will change for the better.

[deacon]

32. k + r n/t

[Radical Activist]

33. Step one; Unify the people to work together.

That's the community organizing approach. I'm glad Edwards is talking about it. I'm happier that Obama is showing us how its done.

[DirtyDawg]

34. To hell with a line in the sand...

...that's always seemed way to temporary. A line in the sand is easily washed away. What John Edwards is offering is a solid wall of principle...what the American people need and demand in order to save whatever this country should stand for. Sure he'll 'work' with the corporations, but only after they understand what, at a minimum, we want. This ain't gonna be easy, but it's the only thing we have left.

[leftofthedial]

35. yep

Kucinich until he's no longer in the race (if ever)

then Edwards

I can't support the others

[jonnyra]

39. I agree...

Kucinich has what I believe is the right vision of what this nation should strive to achieve. But Edwards is my 2nd choice. The problem is although I believe Edwards is sincere we KNOW the majority of congress is bought and paid for by the same corporations that Edwards will need to fight. Thats what we are seeing playing out right now with telecom fight. Im not sure Edwards can win this fight with a congress filled with corporate lackeys. I dont care how good a lawyer he is...when talking about the sums of money people stand to loose...those people will stop at nothing to hold on to it. Which also brings up another point...I sure hope Edwards is staying out of small aircraft.

[onehandle]

40. Of course. Edwards is who we need as nominee. nt

[Orsino]

42. This is what I like best about him...

...and it's why I could vote for him in spite of the gay hatin'.

[Seabiscuit]

43. Yes, he "gets it". But bear in mind, folks, he is NOT "anti-business".

He's not talking about *all* corporations. He has very clearly identified the specific corporate interests that are blocking efforts to make progress solving global warming and achieving universal health care, for instance. He's identifying certain specific powerful corporate lobbying interests in Washington.

I used to incorporate clients into small corporate businesses. I know for a fact Edwards isn't talking about fighting *those* corporations.

He knows that not *all* corporations and not *all* businesses are the enemy.

[ProfessorPlum]

44. As do all of us, I think

I think we all know the difference and know who Edwards is referring to. Like most of us, its clear that he knows that capitalism isn't the problem - it's unfettered capitalism that is the problem.

[nolabels]

49. In a world where some of these corporations have inverted government's role.......

corporations that have redefined government's role to protecting corporate no matter the cost to public and it's well being.


Btw, capitalism has many problems, but most of the alternatives to it have even more

[Seabiscuit]

58. I would like to hope so, but

reading the other comments in this thread and seeing a lot of generally "anti-corporate" threads over the years here I rarely see anyone making such distinctions, and rather see a lot of overgeneralizing going on, so I have to wonder how naive many DUers really are.

[info being]

45. I would say he represents something new in the Democratic Party

His arguments are correct and infallible. They are simple and paradigm-shifting. He's my guy.

[LiberalEsto]

48. The Citizens Party

The Citizens Party was saying a lot of the same things about corporatism back in the 1980s, when we ran Barry Commoner, Sonia Johnson and Jesse Jackson for president. The CP shifted into Jackson's Rainbow Coalition and many members later joined the Green Party.

Others, like my husband and me, became progressive Democrats because we saw the need to combat reaganism.

[Little Star]

50. Edwards: A man for the people!

[yardwork]

51. I think that Edwards may have just won my vote in the primary.

The greed of corporations have set this country on the path to ruin. If Edwards gets it he's my candidate.

[tinrobot]

53. Truth to power!

I'm definitely voting Edwards.

[ElboRuum]

56. Or better yet...

Maybe we could take whatever "Dean scream" they do find in context, like rational adults worthy of democratic responsibilities.