John Edwards for President

Although there is still over a year to go, the global nightmare of the Bush "presidency" is approaching its desultory, rancid conclusion. There is even some reason to hope that, now that the public is finally aware of the nature of this criminal enterprise they call the Bush administration, and the nature of the man, himself, the most foul of his endeavors will never get off the ground. (For example, consider the public release of the National Intelligence Estimate, which appears to have chopped Junior's Iran war plans off at the knees.)

So, although we must continue to cast a wary eye in the direction of the White House, we must also look ahead to the day when Junior and his gang are deposed. How can we best begin the healing process? How can we repair the damage to our country's good name inflicted on it by neo-conservatives? How can we begin to dismantle the plutocracy imposed on us by all-powerful corporations and the uber-rich?

I believe that the first best step we can take is to choose a capable, ethical, and independent leader. Further, I believe that John Edwards is that leader.

Senator Edwards has come out publicly with the following positions:

• A specific plan for universal health care for all Americans.
  
• An agenda to eliminate poverty in the United States within a generation
• A reversal of the regressive tax policies of the Bush administration
• A complete withdrawal of troops from Iraq
• A leadership role in ending the genocide in Darfur
• A leadership role in fighting global poverty
• A commitment to energy independence and self-sufficiency

All in all, this list may not seem much different than a similar list that might be created by a supporter of Barak Obama or Hillary Clinton. But read what Edwards is actually saying:

On NAFTA: "NAFTA was sold to the American people with promises that it would grow the economy and create millions of new jobs. But today, we know those promises were empty. In all three countries, it has hurt workers and families while helping corporate insiders."

On equal rights for GLBT citizens: "There is so much work to be done to treat gays and lesbians and gay and lesbian couples with the respect that they're entitled to. They deserve, in my judgment, partnership benefits. They deserve to be treated fairly when it comes to adoption and immigration."

On his vote to give Junior the authority to invade Iraq: "I was wrong to vote for this war. Unfortunately, I'll have to live with that forever. And the lesson I learned from it is to put more faith in my own judgment."

You won't hear Obama saying anything that courageous about gay/lesbian rights. And Hillary not only won't admit she made a mistake with her Iraq war vote, she seems to advocate the neo-conservative line with respect to Iran.


Edwards is brilliant, principled, and courageous. And his valiant wife, Elisabeth, who is currently battling breast cancer, is an admirable and fearless figure herself.

Up to now, the pundits have portrayed the race for the Democratic nomination as being between Clinton and Obama. But, hold on to your hats, folks! In much the same way that Ron Paul is raising more money than any other Republican candidate, John Edwards may actually prove that the punditry and the finger-waggers and fake sages in the Washington beltway are completely out of touch. He may very well win the Iowa caucuses which are in less than two weeks.

At this point in time, I don't have two nickels to rub together, as the saying goes. Nonetheless, I charged up my credit card to donate to the Edwards campaign. The Bush miasma has devastated me financially, emotionally, and spiritually. (Before I came to know the Bush/Cheney machine, I had believed that I couldn't hate anyone.) But it is coming to an end. Now is the time to push aggressively for the destruction of the corporate hegemony that is polluting our earth, killing people, and stealing the hard-earned bread of the common man.

John Edwards for President.