John Edwards: "We can end poverty in the United States within 30 years."

[Sapphire Blue]

When you cast your votes in the 2008 Democratic Presidential primary & the 2008 Presidential election, I ask you, I beg you, to strongly consider voting for John Edwards. After all these years of republican 'compassion' (spelled 'corruption', 'bigotry' & 'greed'), our country is in desperate need of true compassion, opportunity, healing & hope; John Edwards will lead us there as our next president.

In the meantime, please keep Elizabeth in your hearts & prayers.

National Press Club Policy Address
Jun 22, 2006
Senator John Edwards
Washington, DC

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:

(excerpt)

As some of you know, I’ve served as director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for a little over a year. The Center is a place where we’ve brought together the best minds in the country to discuss – and challenge – the latest ideas about how to fight poverty. In our first year, we’ve held several national forums, asked all the tough questions, and scoured the country to find the most innovative solutions being implemented now. When I talked about poverty in the 2004 campaign, political types said it was futile. They said nobody cares about poverty except for the poor. Not true, and we saw it with Katrina. You’ve heard me talk about the Two Americas? One for those families who have everything they need, and then one for everybody else. Katrina showed us the Two Americas. Those images of men and women at the Superdome stranded without food, water or hope – simply because they didn’t have a car or the cash to escape. Those images are something we’ll never forget.

(snip)

If we’re going to be the America we believe in, we can’t look the other way.

It’s wrong we have 37 million Americans living in poverty - - separated from the opportunities of this country by their income, their housing, their access to education and jobs and health care- - just as it was wrong we once lived in a country legally segregated by race. Too many places today are segregated by class.

Poverty is the great moral issue of our time, and we all have an obligation to do something about it.

(snip)

Which is why, today, I’m proposing we set a national goal of eliminating poverty in the next 30 years.

It’s an ambitious goal, but it’s one we’ll meet by building the America our founders imagined - - an America where if you work hard, take personal responsibility and do the right thing, you won’t live in poverty, you won’t just get by, you’ll get ahead.

I propose a great national goal, because Americans believe in achieving great things. Like JFK challenging America to land a man on the moon, a national goal of eradicating poverty will sharpen our focus, marshal our resources and at the end of the day, bring out our best.


The full speech (prepared text & video) is available @ http://oneamericacommittee.com/news/speeches/20060622/


Fight Poverty: http://oneamericacommittee.com/action/fight-poverty/


Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity: http://law.unc.edu/Centers/details.aspx?ID=425&Q=3

Past Events @ the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity: http://law.unc.edu/Centers/details.aspx?ID=430&Q=3

Other websites/resources...

Call to Renewal: http://www.calltorenewal.com/

Coalition on Human Needs: http://www.chn.org/

Let Justice Roll: http://www.letjusticeroll.org/

National Center for Children in Poverty: http://www.nccp.org/

Poverty USA

Tour Poverty, USA:: http://www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour2.htm

Real Words from Poverty, USA: http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/realwords.shtml

Poverty facts: http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/povfacts.shtml

Find out how you can help: http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/involved.shtml

*************************************************

Edited to add a message to the naysayers:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people so that you will work for justice, equality and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

Here's to discomfort, anger, tears, and foolishness :toast:

[KyuzoGator]

1. We could be living Star Trek Utopia in 20 years if we set our minds on it.

Won't happen. To much money to be made in the lack of progress.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. The lie of more infects, spreads and destroys what could have

been, what may yet be.

[marmar]

6. True....

As Orwell said:
"A hierarchical society is only possible on the basis of poverty and
ignorance, this new version is the past and no different past can ever
have existed. In principle the war effort is always planned to keep
society on the brink of starvation. the war is waged by the ruling
group against its own subjects and its object is not the victory over
either Eurasia or east Asia but to keep the very structure of society
in tact"

[Sapphire Blue]

7. Please see the edited message at the bottom of the OP.

[lonestarnot]

2. I saw where 1 million more children in U.S. have sunk into

poverty since 2002 and I may have the last 2 wrong, may have been 2004.

[lildreamer316]

3. Here's where I want to see John:

..as Gore's Vice President.(puts him in a great position to run for prez).
I love him; think he is very intelligent. The only possible problem with the ticket is that they are both southern candidates, and that seems to bother some ppl; not sure why at this point-but whatever.

[cigsandcoffee]

5. Karl Rove will be indicted in 30 years

Or not. Hell, anything could happen.

[rucky]

37. Is that calendar years or business years?

sorry. couldn't resist.

[Terran1212]

8. We'd do it even faster if we had Greens and progressive Dems

controlling our government. 30 years is extremely optmistic if we have to keep the Repubs and corporate Dems around.

[Sapphire Blue]

9. We need to care about/for each other, especially 'the least of these',

... as well as needing an effective government. We need to demand that our government STOP taking from the poor to give to the rich.

How many people consider eliminating poverty a priority? How many people care that right now a child is going to bed hungry? That right now a family is getting evicted because they can't pay the rent? That right now a parent is working 2 or 3 part-time min wage jobs, and still can't buy the shoes that his/her child needs? That right now someone is searching the dumpsters for food? That right now someone is settling in for the night under a bridge?

How can anyone not care?

America, where is your heart? Where is your soul?

[bobbolink]

10. "How many people consider eliminating poverty a priority?"

Not very many, judging by the popularity of poverty threads here, and how fast they sink. Extremely discouraging! Thanks for keeping up the effort, Sapphire Blue!

Edwards wasn't "my" candidate, as he's a bit more conservative than I want, and it makes me uneasy. However, given that he's the only one talking about poverty, that puts him at the top of my list now! I do hope he'll figure out a way to get himself at the to of the pack.

Hey -- how 'bout doing a great and moving movie about poverty, as Gore did about global warming? It's very needed, anyway, and maybe would spark people, if it was done well.

The only thing about him that makes me uneasy is that he only talks about "the working poor". What about 70-and 80-year olds? What about disabled people? We're chopped liver? It's the ice floe for us? I've tried and tried to contact him about this, but no reply, so that dampens my enthusiasm.

I appreciate you, Sapphire Blue, for continuuing to push this issue! Bless you!

[Sapphire Blue]

13. Thanks for your reply, bobbolink, and welcome to DU!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

Poverty threads do seem to sink pretty fast here. I was surprised to see a new reply to this one! I expected it to be on the way to the archives... where it will probably be going after I post this. (FYI: DU has a 'Poverty' forum (if you didn't already know): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=230 ... not very active, though.)

As far as keeping up the effort, I suppose that I am blessed w/discomfort, anger, tears, and foolishness... especially foolishness ;). I still believe that we, as a people, will get to the promised land... and that's not foolishness... that's determination. And I believe that John Edwards will lead us there.

I agree that Edwards needs to speak to all the poor... the working poor, the disabled, and seniors... living on a very low fixed income makes it extremely difficult to survive... the choices between paying the rent, buying food, paying for utilities, and buying medicine aren't just words on a message board... it's a way of life for millions of us... and it shouldn't be... none of us are expendable... we all have value. What kind of a country is this when people unable to work due to disability or age, as well as the working poor, struggle over the bare necessities??? This is unconscionable!!!! We must change direction!!!

Again, I ask... America, where is your heart? Where is your soul?

[bobbolink]

14. Is there a way to connect with Edwards or Elizabeth...?

It's vitally important that they include *ALL* of us!

Thanks for your kind welcome.

I'm trying to figure out the answer to your questions... where *IS* our heart? Where *IS* our soul?

How do we go about trying to figure out what the blockage is?

Without the few people like you, there would be nothing here about poverty at all. Is it truly of so little consequence to "progressives"?

[Sapphire Blue]

15. Contact info...

Contact One America: http://oneamericacommittee.com/about/contact/form/


You might also want to check the One America homepage for upcoming events, and attend one if you're able... if Edwards takes audience questions/comments, you could provide valuable input!

You know, people often say that we need another Martin Luther King, another Bobby Kennedy, another leader for today... for us... for today. I believe that we have one in John Edwards.

Poverty is a priority among many, many people... Jim Wallis led a protest against the budget cuts on the steps of the Canon Office building last December... he & many others were arrested. Nancy Pelosi spoke out forcefully against the budget cuts being immoral. The devastation of Katrina shined a light on poverty in America... and I think much of America finally woke up... saw the 'Two Americas' that John Edwards spoke of.

We know that Americans are caring people, as evidenced when tragedy hits... anywhere in the world... millions step up to help in any way that they can. You asked "How do we go about trying to figure out what the blockage is?" I think that Edwards addressed that in his speech, speaking about setting, committing & achieving goals to eliminate poverty.

From his speech:

I propose a great national goal, because Americans believe in achieving great things. Like JFK challenging America to land a man on the moon, a national goal of eradicating poverty will sharpen our focus, marshal our resources and at the end of the day, bring out our best.

Besides, we need a goal. America will never get close to eliminating poverty until we set our sights and commit to try.

http://oneamericacommittee.com/news/speeches/20060622/

So let's set, commit, and achieve the goal of eliminating poverty. It's time.

[bobbolink]

16. I wrote once again. I have used that form before, to no avail.

I truly do not think he can hear the necessity of changing his message to include all of us.

So, while I very much appreciate your hopefulness, I don't think this campaign will affect those of us who can no longer work. There doesn't seem to be a way to get through to him on that.

Yes, I've been telling church people about Call to Renewal, and encouraging them to get their own congregations signed up with Wallis' efforts. Just gave that info to another woman today, as a matter of fact. However, it's growing very slowly, and many are suffering in the meantime.

Again, I appreciate your encouragement, but I don't see the same hope that you do. Katrina has been forgotten, and those who are now killing themselves aren't raising any concern among either progressives or church people. I've been talking with a lot of clergy, and there just isn't a will to make an effort there. Yes, I'm very discouraged.

As for the block, the woman I spoke with this morning suggested that a lot of people maybe feel like they've been mistaken in their judgement of poor people, and don't like to admit to mistakes, so they defend their lack of concern. Before I can effectively come up with a way to speak with people, I have to figure out what the block is.

If there was as much concern about homeless people as there is about gay marriage, we'd be well on our way to solving the problem!

Again, I thank you for continuuing to press the issue here!

edited to say: I've periodically tried to connect with Edwards people locally, and haven't had much luck. I thought maybe that was one way to get through, but probably not, as they wouldn't have much effect on his messsage, either. I'll keep trying, but I really am discouraged.

[Sapphire Blue]

17. bobbolink, I appreciate all that you are doing.

Your very actions should provide you w/encouragement... I know that I am greatly encouraged by all that you are doing. Please believe in a better future... we'll make it happen. And may God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

If you're feeling discouraged in light of events around you...: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x580153

Also, check out ACORN: http://www.acorn.org/

You can locate a local ACORN office @ https://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=2593

I don't know what the block is... some possibilities might be lack of organization, feeling helpless & hopeless, feeling resigned & believing that poverty can't be eliminated, lack of commitment to ending poverty & not making it a priority, defeatism & naysayers... look at the first reply in this thread... "Won't happen. To much money to be made in the lack of progress." BULLSHIT! It can & will happen if we decide, as a country, to make it happen. It's time.

[bobbolink]

22. Thanks for the kind words.

I think I caught a bad case of that "foolishness". :)

BTW, PLEEEEEZ do not mistake my discouragement for lack of action on my part. That couldn't be further from the truth. Actually, that is rather a putdown for those of us who've tried and tried and been ignored. Please, that sort of thing really hurts.

I looked into ACORN some time ago, but they mostly work on mortgage issues, not low-income housing. There's a *big* difference. Actually, it's kinda like Edwards only focusing on only the working poor. (As an aside, one of the links you gave earlier mentioned that the largest group in poverty is those who are too old or unable to work. Edwards is sure missing out on this!)

It's just not on most people's list of priorities. If you follow any of the threads asking people what are their important issues, poverty usually doesn't come up.

[Sapphire Blue]

24. You're welcome.

I hope you understand that I wasn't mistaking your discouragement for lack of action... far from it. I truly do appreciate what you're doing, and though it may not feel like it sometimes, what you're doing makes a BIG difference... it just might make all the difference in the world to someone!!! So, when you're feeling discouraged, please remember that you make a difference!

I know what you mean about trying & being ignored... you might come across a thread of mine now & then in which I refer to myself as 'Resident DU Fanatic Beggar'. I have no shame when it comes down to something that I believe in... I'll beg & plead to no end... get knocked down, pick myself up, and go at it even stronger... here and in 'real life'... especially in real life. (I've got a bad case of that "foolishness", too ;). ) Here's to spreading that "foolishness" around! :toast:

(BTW, I submitted a comment to 'One America', w/a link to this thread.)

[bobbolink]

26. Thanks for replying to One America! I think they need to hear

*lots* about this!

I've been thinking about asking others to write to them about it, cuz they don't seem to be getting it.

Thanks, also, for understanding my other comment. It's something that is said to so many of us, so I'm glad you understand.

I appreciate your encouragement! It's all so important to me, and sometimes I wish I could just let it go.

[The2ndWheel]

19. Right now?

We'll take care of all that in 30 years. Today's poor don't matter. Doesn't sound like much of a priority, if it's to be accomplished by 2036.

I know, I know, something this big takes time and patience. That sure helps that family being evicted...right now.

But then I'm not searching for votes, so...

[Sapphire Blue]

20. Edwards on housing...

In a Working Society, we would create new opportunities to work. We would offer affordable housing near good jobs and a million last-chance jobs to people who cannot find work on their own.

In a Working Society, we would reward work. We would raise the minimum wage and cut taxes for low-income workers. We would find ways for workers to not only have but keep their health care and other key benefits, a topic I’ll return to in the future. We would help workers save for the future with Work Bonds and homeownership tax credits. And we would create a million more housing vouchers for working families.

(snip)

In the 1990s, we saw how a new approach to welfare could help millions of families achieve independence. Now it is time for a new approach for another tough issue: housing.

I believe we should radically overhaul HUD in three big steps.

First, we need to integrate our neighborhoods economically. Many neighborhoods were once segregated by race; now segregation by wealth is common, often with a racial dimension. If we truly believe that we are all equal, then we should live together too.

We could all see the problems of concentrated poverty after Katrina, but the truth is that nearly every major American city has similar neighborhoods that remain unseen. The federal government has built public housing in the worst neighborhoods and overlooked the need for affordable housing in the suburbs.

These policies cut willing workers off from entry-level jobs, which are often created in the suburbs, far from public transportation. And they keep low-income children far from good schools.

If conservatives really believed in markets, they'd join us in a more radical and more sensible solution: creating 1 million more housing vouchers for working families over the next five years. Done right, vouchers can enable people to vote with their feet to demand safe communities with good schools. We can help pay for this by cutting back HUD’s role in managing public housing, which it doesn’t do very well and often sticks working families in bad neighborhoods.

Second, we need to put families ahead of bureaucracy. HUD is bloated and has a track record of mismanaging money.

We should start by cutting back HUD's excessive, unnecessary, and sometimes incompetent contractors. Second, we should trim the agency by at least 1,500 employees and get the money out where it can do some good.

We can take the opportunity to give more authority to cities and states to tackle housing problems in their own regions. They will be responsible for taking a regional approach -- including both cities and suburbs -- and creating affordable housing near jobs and good schools.

Finally, work should be at the center of our housing policy just as it is at the center of our other social policies. We should attach a contract to new housing vouchers: if they don’t already have jobs, recipients must work toward independence, and in return we will help them earn more and save more. A similar program is already working for 75,000 families today.

I’ve talked a lot about housing in cities, but we shouldn’t forget that housing is a rural problem too – 1.5 million rural homes are substandard – without plumbing or with a crumbling foundation or sagging roof.

http://oneamericacommittee.com/news/speeches/20060622/

Edwards on setting benchmarks...

But this afternoon, I want to make clear I’m not willing to settle for some Washington “pie-in-the-sky” dream that gets promised and then quickly forgotten. Poverty is an issue where we cannot fail. So to hold us accountable, I propose we also set a benchmark to measure our progress and guide our way.

In the next 10 years, we need to cut poverty by a third, improving the lives of 12 million Americans.

If we meet this benchmark, we’ll be well on our way.

http://oneamericacommittee.com/news/speeches/20060622/

You're right... this won't help the family getting evicted right now... and the poor don't matter to the repubs in power... bush's reign of terror has greatly contributed to steadily increasing poverty. Right now it's time to take back our government from these miscreants, elect liberal, progressive Dems, and reverse the damage the repubs have done over the past several years, restore and increase funding to social programs, and tax the rich, tax the rich, tax the rich.

And I am searching for votes... for John Edwards.

[Sapphire Blue]

21. kick

:kick:

[bobbolink]

11. Back to page 1-- is there not more interest in poverty than this?

[Sapphire Blue]

18. ... and again

:kick:

[bobbolink]

12. good evening kick

:kick:

[bobbolink]

23. Can we get more "Recommends" for this thread?!

Important information, and great links.

How 'bout some recommends to get it to the front page?!

Thanks!

[Sapphire Blue]

29. ...

FYI... Threads can only be recommended for the first 24 hrs after posting... too late for this one :(

Thanks for the sentiment, though :)

[porphyrian]

25. Kick, for my fellow fools. - n/t

[Sapphire Blue]

28. Hi, fellow fool : )

:hi:

[Missy Vixen]

27. Here's to John Edwards

who makes me want to fight for lost causes, because they're the only ones that matter.

Please, Mr. Edwards, pick up Mr. Gore in the car on the way there, and go to Washington. Your country needs you more than ever.

Julie

[Sapphire Blue]

30. ...

:toast:

[ulysses]

31. I'm liking Edwards more and more.

We really do have a great field coming up for '08.

[tkmorris]

32. I like Edwards a great deal

I KNOW poor. I know poor like most people in this country can only imagine. Thankfully I am no longer among their number, though the future may see me back in that category again. Who can say?

Edwards is the first politician at the national level I've heard address the issues of poverty so directly in my lifetime. I think he is quite sincere in talking about this, and if he were president we would see some real efforts to deal with the problem.

I too am troubled that he does not speak often of those who are poor for reasons other than inadequate paychecks, ie the disabled and elderly. However I do believe that he cares about these as well, it is rather that the issues of the working poor resonate more directly he believes with the audience he is trying to reach.

If Edwards runs in 2008 he has my vote as well as whatever volunteer assistance or contributions I can offer. Thanks to you Sapphire Blue, for continuing to bring his message to DU.

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

34. ...

[Sapphire Blue]

36. !

[Clarkie1]

33. That is a worthy goal. It can be done even faster than 30 years. nt

[Sapphire Blue]

35. ...

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

38. A Sunday kick for John Edwards

:kick: