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Feedback ForumNOW wants to hear from you! Send us your opinions, reactions and ideas about "John Edwards' War on Poverty"Submissions for this question are no longer being accepted. Previously submitted comments appear below. Comments may have been edited for content or space. Poster: Rob Comment: The war on poverty was declared over 40 years ago. Talk about a quagmire. I say it's time to bring the troops home. At any rate 'poverty' is an arbitrary standard and therefore will never be eliminated because there is too puch power and money to be gained from continuing the so-called battle against it. Poster: CLARKE D. EDENHART Comment: What a great President we missed the chance to have,shame on us. Politicians are a dime a dozen [actually 6 cents] but, great leaders are one to a trillion,John Edwards will be our great lose. Poster: Lucille Gayle Comment: Edwards has no plans for reducing poverty. He is a good talker. When he was told that he could take over the job, he quickly declined. He should take care of his family first, his wife who I understand has cancer, and his mistress and a love child. Put your money where your mouth is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel that a politition who is in the public eye, must get his dudu together. Obama respects his wife and family. The more I hear Obama talk, that is INTEGRITY. Poster: Sally James Comment: I think any thing that is done to help people in poverty is worth while. John Edwards in my opinion would be the one to get this program started.He truly understands what poverty really is and who it is affecting in the US. Thanks Sally Poster: Karen Tabaka Comment: Dear All, My husband and I watched, as we always do, NOW last Friday evening. We both are very fond of Senator Edwards and would have voted for him had he become the Democratic candidate. We are very open to his ideas in general and on poverty in particular. We are advocates for combatting poverty. With that stated, I came away with an emptiness that I usually do after listening to discussions of poverty within our nation. Not only is poverty a mainstay of the poor but now of growing numbers of educated, hard working and experienced people. I am frightened by this revelation. This is how evasive poverty has become that it erodes those who in the past were an avenue to help the poor out of poverty. Instead, both groups are hanging on to the same sinking lifeboat. If anything, as much as I agree with Senator Edwards, I don't feel he recognizes the depth of the problem OR if he recognizes it, I didn't pick up on it Friday night. Poverty is an enormous and corrosive process leaving those affected dismayed, disillusioned and depressed....just plain sad. I am now sixty and I cannot foresee a solution in my lifetime. Being a productive member of society is inconsequential anymore. Sincerely, Karen Tabaka Poster: Ann Barysh Comment: I loved the program you did on John Edward's.Might you continue this discussion. For example, you might devote several programs on Poverty In America starting with a close look at the War On Poverty. Where I sit it was very successful given that fact that it was barely supported and constantly underfunded. You could then devote a couple of programs to such topics as: Health are, Education and Housing. YOu might identify how our country has historically dealt with these topics and in contrast some ideas from Edwards. Thanks for listening Ann Barysh Sudbury Ma. Poster: Joseph Daniel Wright aka Mr. Portman/Knightley Comment: I think that encouraging aggressive negotiation techniques in various labor organizations throughout the world may yield immense dividends in regard to narrowing income gaps. There is a disrespect for labor imbued in every citizen of the United States. However, everyone cannot be an actor, hedge fund manger or sports star. We give too much respect to relatively insignificant professions. Once these professions are viewed as irrelevant to indoor plumbing, there can be serious talks in regard to what truly matters. Americans are generally lazy and too trusting. If everyone was a true skeptic, there would be less waste and more progress for every world citizen. Poster: Andrew Adams Comment: I grew up in the mountains of western N.C.,During the depression,Got a 7th grade education. Im noe 81 years old .I server in the military in WW11 Korean War Vietnam War.Raised 5 children who are all hard working productive people . who are raising my 12 grand children. and none of us ever got any welfare or any kind of subsistance.people who are willing to work can make a living for themselves .I was never out of work during my 60 years of working. Put the sorry bums to work let them get there self out of the welfare lines Poster: Kim Seward Comment: I am so glad to hear SOMEONE finally talking about poverty in America. The fact that I live in a hidden population has been clearly evident to me for over 20 years. I have always worked, became a single mom in 1987, returned to university and earned a degree, and had one year (2002) where I actually earned $20,000. I felt rich that year. My adult children are now living in a world where you can't earn enough money to pay rent and buy food. Health insurance is a joke, and if you need medication then you cut into the food and rent budget; your teeth rot and so do your children's because dental insurance is unavailable; transportation is impossible to maintain, the list goes on forever. Thank you John Edwards, you are the only politician I have ever heard discuss this issue in regards to America and I think it is high time that the Hidden Population is heard. Poster: Kathy Callan Comment: I am proudly supporting John Edwards' mission to cut the poverty rate and to strengthen the middle class. John Edwards has not forgotten his roots as a mill worker's son. He worked hard his whole life and was the first in his family to attend college. His commitment to standing up for us little guys is real. Edwards is using proven strategies, and his theme is Creating One America by Rewarding Work, a very smart, ethical, and workable strategy for ending poverty. It's a strategy that everyone can get behind. I encourage everyone to sign up for Half in Ten, the coalition that Edwards is chairing to half the poverty rate in 10 years: www.halfinten.org Poster: Umar Ndanusa Comment: Everything John Edwards said is absolutely correct and God bless him for what he is doing for the poor. The reason why I am writing is simply to point out the fact that one of the main reasons why poverty is so prevalent and the gap between the rich and poor keeps increasing is because of USURY. This is the weapon that is used to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. William Greider spoke about last week on Bill Moyer's Journal. Hence, what we need to do is look into ISLAMIC FINANCING. it is the fastest growing financial system in the world. (I should obviously mention that I am Muslim)But thats not why I am speaking about it. The truth is that it is the only solution to our current financial crisis and other crisis. payday loan firms charge individuals up to 400% interest. if thats not exploitation then what is. i think you guys should do a show on Islamic financing and how it can help. thanks for all your insightful programming. Poster: Sephen Perry Comment: A huge reflection of poverty is the always (recent to the past decade) lingering, and increasing intersections in my city, California, with shaved corners that used to be Gas stations; The lots, I suspect, belong to the once franchised station owners, and now burdened by the cost of underground tank removal, which, of course, is an expense passed from big business to the individual public- Like the Food Tax in Alabama Poster: Kelly Bhirdo Comment: Thank you for this coverage. Superb show. I believe now more than ever that John Edwards should have been the Democrats' candidate and ultimately our next president. He is a true leader and visionary. His Half in Ten program will succeed. Poster: lynn bard Comment: Your program with John Edwards about his proposed War on Poverty was excellent. He was my favored candidate for the nomination. It seemed clear to me, the media had a huge influence on who would be chosen, as Obama gets all the good coverage now. There seems a huge agenda going on here and I don't like it. Mr. Edwards says people are all linked together, what affects the one ripples out and affects us all. In the current reality where distortions and lies pass for truth and dog eat dog is the status quo, how refreshing to hear someone speak the truth. We are all connected and we most certainly are our brothers keeper. To believe otherwise is to be greatly deceived. I am leaning towards not voting at all this election out of disgust and protest. Our country has become a disgrace, here and globally and you need no education to see it. Just a conscience and sense of wrong and right which we all naturally have, you just need to be tuned in to it. Any other country who follows us anymore is gravely misled. Any country who embraces capitalism as their economic system is headed for the same trouble we now face. We need a new economic system--period. For all the blabbering that goes on, I have never heard this clearly stated. Capitalism promotes predatory and sociopathic behavior in all who practice it. Money is power--this seems the truth, but it is a lie. What good can come out of humans preying on each other for any reason. We are clearly on a very bad, dangerous path that is leading to nuclear and biologic and chemical destruction. The madmen behind it, how distorted is their thinking to believe they could survive, that they can control everything. Some say education is the answer. You educate people with the truth about how capitalism really works, it's clear to me without education, just with the reality of having to live under such a selfish, stupid system, how bad it is, how it doesn't work. What education we now have just teaches people how to prey on others. Thanks for a wonderful program. I won't give a cent to these politician candidate windbags. I'm not paying to continue getting screwed. I'm probably at the poverty level myself if the statistics were fairly updated. But I have no children and I can cut back easier. What we are doing to our children and their futures is beyond criminal and our politicians should be paying for it at the polls. We have terrible choices and they are not even touching on the issus of the huge turnaround and changes we need. They are serving their own elitism and money. Money is mankinds hugest limitor to progress. We should all NOT VOTE in a huge protest--send a BIG SIGNAL of how disgusted we are. They are not helpless to change things for the much better. Are they stupid--or cowardly and afraid, or corrupt and incompetent? What is it, or all of these things. John Edwards, if you are on the level, you I will support and help. At this time, I have faith in no charity and no church. I directly give to people I come into contact with who need help, no administrative fees, no bull, no income tax deduction allowed. These are acts of faith and love that make my life worth living. Thanks again for having John Edwards on your show. It helps to restore my faith in mankind and gives me hope when things these days seem so hopeless. Poster: jeannette Comment: As an Edwards supporter, I was saddened by the media's refusal to give Edwards any positive coverage. The corporate media is now selecting our choices for president and this is not democracy. Until we publicly finance elections we will continue to get these incompetent figureheads who do the bidding of corporations and the wealthy 400 families that control this country. As Edwards is again trying to help the average citizen, stories are again in the media about his alleged infidelity. It is astounding that our President has caused the deaths of a MILLION innocent Iraqis who did not attack us, yet infidelity is a story. Haircuts are a story. To me, Edwards would have been our second FDR. There is no one else who would have had the strength to follow through to save the country. You can already see that Obama is waffling with his FISA vote. If the election is close, it will be stolen for the third time. We are at the brink of destruction. It appears that this was the plan all along. Destroy the middle class courtesy of Reagan, endless war starting with Bush Sr, the NAFTA disaster of Clinton and now pure Fascism with this Bush. Corporations knew nothing would stop Edwards so they snuffed his campaign. America is under siege with heroes in short supply. Poster: Paul Scofield Comment: Dear editors, Thank you for an excellent program. Poverty is one of the other big elephants in America's room, and John Edward's ideas are very good. His persistent attention on this issue is a great thing. I was sad to see him leave the race for president. The interviewer was good, sharp, attentive and asked some good challenging questions. I feel our country is in a place where it could quickly join the ranks of all the other promising civilizations that sat back on their laurels, partly achieved their potential and then stagnated their way into terminal belligerence and irrelevance. What can be done? A lot, I think. I hope Mr. Obama makes good on his pledges to help the working poor and the growing underclass. Maybe he'll choose Edwards as his V.P. running mate. Would they do what they spoke about once in office and in power? Maybe McCain will do something for the poor, but I think his allegiance lies with a much more well heeled group. Actually, foremost on my mind at this point (about 100 days from the presidential election), is how in hell we are going to get a fair election. This could be a very close contest even though the Democrats would seem to have the momentum this time. Is there the political will – counted one person at a time – to work for and ensure a [mostly] untampered with ballot count?? You may think this is a much covered type of story (from 2000 and 2004) and not a pressing issue at this time, but bear with me. More young people and more people in general will vote in this election than, perhaps, for decades. More is at stake, to anyone awake, than in a very long time. Given this, think of the short and long term impact of a third in a row mismanaged, mechanically bungled and politically jimmied vote count. Here in San Francisco, we use a paper ballot in which you use a felt-tipped pen to draw a line filling in a gap in the middle of a large simple arrow pointing to the candidate or yes or no that you select. It's unambiguous and hard to miss what you are intending. Other choices are clearly separated. When done, you insert the ballot into an electronic counting machine that swallows the ballot and keeps a running tally – but the actual paper ballot remains as a record. I think this is a good system and I wish all states would use it or something at least as good. I acknowledge that this is constitutionally a very difficult problem to solve. I think it's time for an amendment to standardize national election procedures and update or discard the electoral system. This insuring of a fair vote should be incredibly important for the United States and yet I don't sense much urgency about it. In fact what I sense from most people is a mixture of cynicism and world-weary resignation. The interesting thing is that if we have another major election that ends like either of the last two (!) it would be equally bad regardless of who won. We would all lose something precious . . . that may be irretrievable. Sincerely, Paul Scofield Poster: Peggy Comment: I listened to your program and John Edwards. I wish I could believe him and all his talk about helping the poor. My husband and I are poor, but we are not 'working' poor. Six years ago my husband suffered a massive stroke and I take care of him. He was a hard working man when this happened, but now is unable to take care of himself. For people like us, there is never a word from any politician for helping ones like us. Believe me, what the government gives back in disability does not take care of you. I can not afford medical insurance for myself, so I pray I never need a doctor or hospital. With winter coming, I know I will again have to make a choice between staying warm and both of us eating decently, sometimes whether the medicine will be bought when it should be. So, does his talk sound good? Sure, but I think it's all talk and nothing else from him. In politicians eyes, ones like us do not matter, and if they possibly can, they refuse to admit we even exist. Poster: John Hepburn Comment: Another thing you don't hear politicians talk about is uncontrolled caitalism which is the main cause of poverty. Rob em, steal from em, lie to em, cheat em, as long as you get that money it's good business seems to be the attitude and our elected officials just look the other way and let them do it. Nobody is there to protect the average citizen anymore and the average person can not afford to fight these large corporations. If our forefathers could have seen what this country has become, would they have given their lives for it, probably not. The biggest threat/enemy of the average person isn't terrorists, it's extremly wealthy capitalists. They will put you living under the bridge and working for slave wages in a heartbeat, as we are seeing. The first Gearge Bush was disillusioned because the people didn't vote him in again, Chaney seems to just have a general dislike for the average citizen, it feels like they have just taken an attitude of to hell with them, lets get rich,,er. Poster: Elena Seitz Comment: Fantastic program tonight! In brief, now I am even more convinced that I was right in supporting John Edwards in his run for Presidency (even though I went into mourning when he withdrew). David B.'s excellent interview with John Edwards also reassures me that Edwards definitely is a person of sincere conviction who intends to continue to put his money, influence, and actions where his mouth is. I loved David B.'s very accurate statement that many voters are afraid that the eventual winner of the 2008 Election will read the private book in the White House, whereupon he will announce to America that even though he meant everything he said, he will now be unable to keep his promises because now that he is is office, he understands that the situation is graver than he previously realized and that it would be not only unwise but impossible to attempt to put those promises into action now. Edwards then responded by pointing out that being a leader is very different from being a politician, and he implied that a true leader would rise above inconvenient obstacles and continue to strive to make important and necessary changes and achievements rather than be tempted to be thwarted by status quo inertia. I fervently hope that our next President wholly embraces Edwards' vision and begs him to take an active Cabinet-level role to get America back on track. Thank you, Elena Seitz, RN Poster: Susan Sather Comment: I had no feelings about John Edwards until I saw this clip....now, I am sold on him and his policies. I don't think one needs to be poor to understand and empathize with poverty. I brought myself out of poverty and from being on Welfare. I am a single, female parent and I own my own home and an apartment building in Texas. I am now at the brink of losing everything. I started a new business in October called Happy At Home, Inc., a home care agency. We help the elderly with their daily activities of living, to enable them to remain in their home as long as possible. Within a few months, my business is grossing $100K per year...yet I am at the brink of loosing everything. What happened to America, the home of the free and the brave, the home of capitalism, where anyone can do anything, with hard work and the ability to persevere? It doesn't exist anymore. It has been taken away from us, with the present eight year administration. I might lose everything and have no capital to do anything, but move into 'tent city' or a shelter, which scares me to death. Hopefully, I will be more creative than that, and hopefully I will find someone who will allow my two eleven year olds and myself to live in their field in a tent......SHOULD it even be this way????? I need a lot of help in Texas, where they raised the taxes on my apartment building so much that it is hard to ignore that they are trying to push me out, and create a situation, where the ole' boys can come in and buy up my property, and others, for less than prices they would have paid 25 years ago. My real estate taxes have been raised, in the last year and a half, from $8,000+ to $16,000+. Hello? Anyone listening????? They are ruining me, a single parent, who raised herself from a welfare recipient! Shame on them!!!! Welcome to the poverty, and the inability of Americans to raise themselves up financially!!! Susan Sather Poster: Casey Comment: Edwards is completely correct about the problems in America today. I work for a major corporation and we're facing downsizing that is going to hurt a lot of people I know. Many of them are already living pay check to pay check and are worried about paying their mortgages. Poverty is only going to grow if we don't active steps to counter this crisis. Poster: lillian jones Comment: David, I have to say that I have never seen John Edwards more engaged and more alive than in your interview. I watched him during the democratic debates and he always seemed so phony, so stiff, and so artificial. Maybe he seems so alive now because he is talking about something he really believes in. Whether his plan works or not is not the question. The fact that he is putting thought and energy behind it is what is important. He certainly is getting attention and may even secure the Vice Presidential nomination. Obama/Edwards? Lillian Jones Poster: RE Mant Comment: Wealth does go to where it is more productive, but too much of the increase in productivity being realized, is realized because the wages of labor is going lower, particularly overseas. That is why we need tariffs. But the continuous flow of easy money makes this more possible than it would be if all people were forced to work for what they have. And thus we need monetary and credit reform, too. More debt or money will make this worse, not better. Too, owners need workers, as much as workers are made to need owners. A strong economy, national or global, cannot work without both, and the more equality there is, obviously, the stronger it will be. Poster: Karla Edwards Comment: John Edwards is a genius, and I hope in the future he will run for President. As I would have voted for him everytime he has attempted a run. Poster: J. H. Comment: If you look at family sizes, it seems that people who can least afford children have larger families. Why doesn't the government give tax incentives for people to have fewer children? Anyone who has children will tell you that it is expensive...a big step towards fighting poverty in my opinion would be rewarding people for having smaller families. Poster: John Gleason Comment: With all do respect to Mr. John Edwards, someone i was hopeful about in the race for president. I agree that something needs to be done and soon. But i think this is an american problem that american government created with the Federal Reserve Bank. And i think we should focus on america and not the rest of the world. Ofcource it's not good that there is poverty in other countrys around the world. But i think we don't have the resorces to fix the hole world when we don't even have the resorces or the desire to fix our own country. We need to completely close down the Fedral Reserve Bank to fix this country. All this talk about a new world order scares me to death. I mean it would be so long Constitution and america as we know it. I now support Ron Paul 100% i think he is the only man that can fix this country. All you have to do is listen to him talk, and do some research and you will see that he has been sending the same message for over 20 years. I just don't get it, it's a no brainer. I don't hear anyone talking about the real issuse except Ron Paul. And the media just pokes fun at him, like these issuse just don't matter. But they do. But noone seems to care. I for one don't have a big pile of money put back. I have been one of the people Mr John Edwards is talking about. Me and my wife both worked and could barely make it from payday to payday. I truely beleave that a new world order or anything that takes us in that direction would be very wrong for this country. I mean i really don't think that anyone around the world cares enough about us people in america to help us out. We had the chance to have electric cars in the early 2000s that would have meant NO GAS,OIL,or any patrolium products at all, and it would have been great for the envirnment. The movie ( Who killed the electric car ) explains it all, all you have to do is watch it. Everyone in america is not as misinformed as the government thinks we all are. But the Federal Government just couldn't let that happen and now here we are. They said in the film that noone wanted the cars because of the range of only 40 to 60 miles on a charge, but there were batteries out there at that time with 300 mile range at half the charge time. Go figure. The government wanted us here and here we are. Remember this was only 6 or 7 years ago. Sorry for ranting but i love my country very much and hate what is happening to it. I am convinced that Ron Paul has the answer to our problem, but it probably doesn't figure into there plans for our future. I hope they don't sell us out to the rest of the world.A very concerned american citizen. Poster: marcia carlton Comment: I highly recommend John Edwards ideas on helping the middle class and more! And more than that - I hope that Barrack Obama will consider John Edwards to be his vice president! Assuming that Edwards is interested! |
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