Sunday, December 23, 2007

"Do you see what I see?" by Johnny Rouse, receives Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award




Recipient of Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award






Do you see what I see?

user icon Johnny Rouse in News Feed of
12/22/2007 at 9:44 AM EST

Cross-posted from John Edwards 2008 Blog

It has been seven months now since I met John Edwards. I was contacted by a member of his campaign back in late May. I was asked if I could get access to an American made Mini-Van and drive John to the High School from which I was a graduate. Here was an opportunity for me, a poor country boy, to meet the man who will be the next President of the United States. I jumped all over the opportunity, and I was at the airport an hour before he arrived.

It was early; I had been expecting John and Elizabeth as they were coming to congratulate the graduating class of which over seventy percent were to attend college. John Edwards, you know the one his opponents call a fake for his expensive hair cuts and his big house, had set up a program where the first year of college tuition is paid for students who stay out of trouble and go to instate public colleges and universities in NC. This program is called "College for Everyone" and it speaks more loudly than any shock jock, spin-doctor or gossip driven "reporter" could ever speak about the character and noble intentions of John Edwards. The fact is the ideas and vision John has for America have been tried and tested; he has empirical evidence to prove it. The percentage of students going to college from this poor, rural county in eastern NC is mind boggling for the region, and John Edwards is directly responsible for it.

You know that John Edwards guy so many have called a fake, an arrogant self-server and insincere, he planted another seed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that will be a great service to the poor for years to come. The Center on Poverty, within the Law School at the nations oldest public University, is doing groundbreaking research on best practices in fighting poverty. They are leading in the rebuilding of communities in New Orleans and gathering much needed data on issues of poverty around the world. This larger than life gentleman stepped off the plane without his lovely wife much to my disappointment.

Apparently, Elizabeth had some emergency tests ran that morning, and just like every other husband in America would, John showed obvious signs of concern. He tried to get in contact with her several times throughout the morning, leaving messages on her phone, contacting campaign staff in a nearly desperate effort to hear the results of the tests before he arrived in the very small and politically insignificant county in eastern NC. I could see a man who had every reason in the world to lose focus, turn back home and not make such personal sacrifices, but his intensity and determination was stoic. He knew what this meant to that community. He knew that the students in the lower grades would find inspiration to dream of something greater, and he read through the speech several times and had it down within ten minutes.

John Edwards could certainly fly off to a winter home in Bermuda and back to a summerhouse in New Hampshire, but he chooses to fight. The sacrifices he is making are not because of some ego trip or need for the spot light. This is a man who has chosen to make a stand and fight for those whom no one will defend. He has staked his labor into investments that will not return him any material or political reward, the poor don't vote. He is a redneck country boy (that means hard working around here) who has stood as the David for the weak against the Goliaths and prevailed. He is a man who does not know how to back away from a fight, and the American people are in a fight for the heart and soul of this nation. I am glad to see that John has finally shown that spirit to the American people that I saw seven months ago. This is a man who has dropped the gloves and is ready to lead the people to common sense, pragmatic solutions to the most pressing problems of our generation. You see John knows that for all Americans to succeed in the long run including the rich, poor, blue collar, white collar, scholar, entrepreneur, we have to help raise the weakest among us. What nation can fail when even its most severely disadvantaged have a very achievable opportunity to find greatness in their lives? That is what the American Dream is and always will be, and John Edwards knows this. And he knows and has empirical evidence that with a little investment in the forgotten populations of our country, we can step up and move beyond the doom and gloom of what many "experts" say is a falling America.

I saw this in John, and there were no cameras, reporters or babies to kiss. I saw this in a man who was concerned over the love of his life; he called her "sweetie" on the answering machine the same as I do my wife. I saw this in the man who sat next to me for nearly an hour in that van. The only way I can describe it is I saw all the markings of greatness in that man; one who can bring honor, compassion and common sense back to this nation. I saw a Commander-in-Chief; I saw a President.

Do you see what I see? by Johnny Rouse





Do you see what I see?

user icon Johnny Rouse in News Feed of
12/22/2007 at 9:44 AM EST

It has been seven months now since I met John Edwards. I was contacted by a member of his campaign back in late May. I was asked if I could get access to an American made Mini-Van and drive John to the High School from which I was a graduate. Here was an opportunity for me, a poor country boy, to meet the man who will be the next President of the United States. I jumped all over the opportunity, and I was at the airport an hour before he arrived.

It was early; I had been expecting John and Elizabeth as they were coming to congratulate the graduating class of which over seventy percent were to attend college. John Edwards, you know the one his opponents call a fake for his expensive hair cuts and his big house, had set up a program where the first year of college tuition is paid for students who stay out of trouble and go to instate public colleges and universities in NC. This program is called "College for Everyone" and it speaks more loudly than any shock jock, spin-doctor or gossip driven "reporter" could ever speak about the character and noble intentions of John Edwards. The fact is the ideas and vision John has for America have been tried and tested; he has empirical evidence to prove it. The percentage of students going to college from this poor, rural county in eastern NC is mind boggling for the region, and John Edwards is directly responsible for it.

You know that John Edwards guy so many have called a fake, an arrogant self-server and insincere, he planted another seed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that will be a great service to the poor for years to come. The Center on Poverty, within the Law School at the nations oldest public University, is doing groundbreaking research on best practices in fighting poverty. They are leading in the rebuilding of communities in New Orleans and gathering much needed data on issues of poverty around the world. This larger than life gentleman stepped off the plane without his lovely wife much to my disappointment.

Apparently, Elizabeth had some emergency tests ran that morning, and just like every other husband in America would, John showed obvious signs of concern. He tried to get in contact with her several times throughout the morning, leaving messages on her phone, contacting campaign staff in a nearly desperate effort to hear the results of the tests before he arrived in the very small and politically insignificant county in eastern NC. I could see a man who had every reason in the world to lose focus, turn back home and not make such personal sacrifices, but his intensity and determination was stoic. He knew what this meant to that community. He knew that the students in the lower grades would find inspiration to dream of something greater, and he read through the speech several times and had it down within ten minutes.

John Edwards could certainly fly off to a winter home in Bermuda and back to a summerhouse in New Hampshire, but he chooses to fight. The sacrifices he is making are not because of some ego trip or need for the spot light. This is a man who has chosen to make a stand and fight for those whom no one will defend. He has staked his labor into investments that will not return him any material or political reward, the poor don't vote. He is a redneck country boy (that means hard working around here) who has stood as the David for the weak against the Goliaths and prevailed. He is a man who does not know how to back away from a fight, and the American people are in a fight for the heart and soul of this nation. I am glad to see that John has finally shown that spirit to the American people that I saw seven months ago. This is a man who has dropped the gloves and is ready to lead the people to common sense, pragmatic solutions to the most pressing problems of our generation. You see John knows that for all Americans to succeed in the long run including the rich, poor, blue collar, white collar, scholar, entrepreneur, we have to help raise the weakest among us. What nation can fail when even its most severely disadvantaged have a very achievable opportunity to find greatness in their lives? That is what the American Dream is and always will be, and John Edwards knows this. And he knows and has empirical evidence that with a little investment in the forgotten populations of our country, we can step up and move beyond the doom and gloom of what many "experts" say is a falling America.

I saw this in John, and there were no cameras, reporters or babies to kiss. I saw this in a man who was concerned over the love of his life; he called her "sweetie" on the answering machine the same as I do my wife. I saw this in the man who sat next to me for nearly an hour in that van. The only way I can describe it is I saw all the markings of greatness in that man; one who can bring honor, compassion and common sense back to this nation. I saw a Commander-in-Chief; I saw a President.

Michael Duby, Winner of Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award





Recipient of Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award















Advocate of Transformation

The Substance of Transformation

user icon michael duby in Arguments & Analyses Feed of
12/22/2007 at 9:14 PM EST

Cross-posted from John Edwards 2008 Blog

The American people must rise up and seize the historical opportunity to impact the direction of our country. Domestically, the three major difficulties confronting working families are lack of universal health care, income disparity and unfair trade policies.

"It's time we honored work in this country, not just wealth." - John Edwards

Above and beyond the statements of progressive policies, John Edwards is the candidate committed to truly and steadfastly advocate and "fight" for the nation's (mostly working) people of low-income and the 47 million Americans who desperately need health insurance. The big insurance and drug companies will need serious persuasion to allow the implementation of universal health care that is a fundamental right recognized in all other advanced economies and societies. Our present system is a structural hindrance to the well-being of the American labor force.

In a country of 300 million, 300,000 at the top make more income that the bottom 150 million of America's earning taxpayers. The Bush administration provided additional tax cuts for these super wealthy in an amount that would essentially pay for universal health care. Over the past 20 years, 40 percent of income growth has gone to the top one percent while wages for the bottom 90 percent have remained stagnant. This represents the greatest income inequality in this country since 1928.

This reality is due to the combination of unfair tax practices, ill effects of unbalanced globalization and trade policies that mostly enrich multinational corporations, but certainly not workers. It is well known and recognized that John Edwards is for strong labor and environmental standards and against illegal subsidies and currency manipulation. He is also for rigorous enforcement of trade agreements, not just negotiation.

The third major obstacle to American working families is unfair so-called "free trade" agreements. Edwards has the most specific proposals of any candidate to restore tax fairness, to enhance competitiveness and job growth, and to re-negotiate trade agreements so they are once again fair. In the breadth and detail of his proposals, John Edwards differs substantially from the other candidates. Only Edwards has advocated a fundamental standard for "Smart Trade" deals: Will the agreements benefit working families, not just multinational corporations?

The Economic Policy Institute ("EPI") recently underlined the concern about the growing impact of unfair trade agreements and practices on America's working families. EPI concluded that 25 to 30 million American jobs - about one in five American jobs in states all across the nation - are at risk for being offshored over the next decade. These are not just manufacturing jobs; EPI reports jobs most at risk are those requiring at least a four-year college degree. Those workers and their families will be substantially more secure with Edwards as chief executive.

The lobbyist-dominated system and practical realpolitics of Washington contribute to lack of universal health care, disadvantageous trade deals, cheap foreign labor, illegal foreign subsidies and foreign currency manipulation. American workers are being incrementally devastated. The American middle class is being pushed down and they know it. "It's time we honored work in this country, not just wealth." - John Edwards /


The Substance of Transformation :: 1 Comment :: Post a Comment
Other blogs commenting on this entry

Display Comments: [ Flat | Nested ] [ Oldest First | Newest First ]

Wow, just a fabulous statement! (none / 0)

What a good piece of writing, Michael. You hit a homerun!!

So, may I nominate you for my karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award and repost this with the announcement on my blogspot site at www.passionateprogressivepatriot.blogspo t.com

Karita Hummer

Saturday, December 22, 2007

"Why This African American Woman supports John Edwards" by huskers4edwards receives Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award





Recipient of Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award



Why This African American Woman supports John Edwards huskers4edwards in Diaries 12/20/2007 at 9:09 PM EST


Myself and fellow Nebraska Democrats at a meet and greet with Senator John Edwards at the Slow down in Omaha Nebraska July 07
With just a couple of weeks before the election season heats up, I find it neccessary to express why I am supporting Senator Edwards for President.

As a young African American woman I have had my fair share of Obama and Clinton Supporters question my sanity.

Why aren't you supporting the Brother some ask or don't you want to see a woman break the ultimate glass ceiling.

The Obvious answer is yes and yes but, this race is bigger than historical first. This race is about who is most qualified to lead. I believe that person to be Senator John Edwards.

His message to be the president who works for all Americans resonantes with me. I am a single mother of three and I can tell you from first hand experience that we need to have a serious discussion in this country about poverty.

We need to drastically alter the way we define poverty and begin to humanize our poor and working poor. America needs to work for all americans and not just the wealhty few.

Senator Edwards does not score any political victories by talking about poverty. In fact many political pundits say his message of two americas is a few decades too late but that is why I support Senator Edwards candidacy.

Senator Edwards realizes that America works best when it works for everyone. He has also impressed me by not accepting PAC money.

Some see it as a political stunt or even political expiedency given the buckets of cash pouring in from the Clinton and Obmama campaign.

While, there may even be a hint of truth to the fundraising strategy. It is still a calculated risk and it shows that Senator Edwards is willing to do what is right as our potential nominee rather than what is politically expiedient.

So for me supporting someone who has a vision, someone who wants to represent all americans, someone who has compassion for the least amongst us and someone who can lead, is far more important than making history.

That is why this African American Woman is supporting Senator John Edwards for President.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

"So What Did Obama Do?" by grannyhelen receives Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award




Recipient of Karita Hummer's Silver Pen Award


So What Did Obama Do? grannyhelen in Diaries
12/20/2007 at 9:28 AM EST

Cross-posted from John Edwards 08 Blog

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/12/20/9295/3348

As long as he's opened that door, The New York Times has decided to step right on through it. And you'll be amazed - in the Illinois senate he reversed himself from his current track record.

He showed up.

The problem is, he didn't want to make a decision once he got there.

From the article: (link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22335739/)

"In 1999, Barack Obama was faced with a difficult vote in the Illinois legislature -- to support a bill that would let some juveniles be tried as adults, a position that risked drawing fire from African-Americans, or to oppose it, possibly undermining his image as a tough-on-crime moderate.

In the end, Mr. Obama chose neither to vote for nor against the bill. He voted "present," effectively sidestepping the issue, an option he invoked nearly 130 times as a state senator..."

Now in fairness, Camp Hope has tried to defend this record, saying it was part of a strategy. The article points to 36 times Obama voted "present" alone or with a group of less than six. Fifty-plus times it looks like he was "acting with other Democrats as a part of a strategy".

At issue, really, is whether he abused the "present" vote. From the article:

"...If you are worried about your next election, the present vote gives you political cover," said Kent D. Redfield, a professor of political studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. "This is an option that does not exist in every state and reflects Illinois political culture."

And that seems to be what he did on the bill highlighted that would allow juveniles to be tried as adults.

I'm bringing all of this up because it seems that Camp Hope HQ is trying to insinuate that John Edwards's entire life experience - from litigating multinational corporations and big insurance companies in the cause of making injured people whole, to speaking out against Bill Clinton's impeachment, and even his personal battles of dealing with the death of his child and having a spouse with terminal cancer - amounts to nothing. Nada. Zilch.

"What have you done?" Arrogantly echoes through the halls of Camp Hope.

Well, when the going got tough what did Obama do? Chose a political duck-and-cover, assisting the bad by not helping the good. And he continues that courageous tradition of caving by voting to fund the war he so valiantly talked about opposing, and selling out working people by being a vocal proponent of the Peru Free Trade Agreement.

In the age of obfuscation and signing statements, that's the last kind of leadership we need in the White House.

Give me a leader who will at least stand up and take responsibility for all of his decisions, even the wrong ones. Give me a leader who can admit when he's wrong and work like heck to right that wrong.

I'll take that any day of the week over someone who wants to hold hands by the campfire, vote "here" when the tough decisions need to be made and who will actively work to continue an injustice that he knows is wrong.

These are trying times that call for a tough leader, not a political compromise.

John Edwards is that tough leader. Let's get him into that oval office. Now.