John Edwards - Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity

[Astronuc]

http://law.unc.edu/Centers/details.aspx?ID=425&Q=3

An End to Poverty in 30 Years

June 23, 2006
John Edwards didn't go back to his lucrative law practice after his unsuccessful vice presidential campaign. When his one term in the U.S. Senate ended, Edwards set up the Center on Poverty, Work and Opporunity at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Many consider Edwards to be a potential presidential candidate in 2008. In a June 22 speech at the National Press Club, he calls for a national goal to eliminate poverty in the U.S. within 30 years.

http://wordforword.publicradio.org/
- look for the episode on June 23, 2006, An End to Poverty in 30 Years, John Edwards - worthwhile listening!

It's about time to end poverty, not only in the US, but worldwide.

Edwards could run for president in 2008. Meanwhile he is working to eliminate poverty. So watch for him in the future.

 

[edward]

Great link.

Edwards is definitely an intellegent person, who seems to be in touch with the real world, and the real America.

I am sure the fact that he was a malpractice attorney had a lot to do with his not being accepted by a lot of people in 2000. And Rove played that fact to the hilt.

On the other hand few people were aware that the infamous Ken Star , the republicans hero, was an appeals attorney for the tobbacco industry.

 

[Skyhunter]

I liked his comment: "We are the leaders we've been waiting for."

 

[Skyhunter]

I see the Senate is all gung ho to avoid addressing the issue of poverty.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060621/ap_on_go_co/minimum_wage

GOP-run Senate kills minimum wage increase

WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled Senate smothered a proposed election-year increase in the minimum wage Wednesday, rejecting Democratic claims that it was past time to boost the $5.15 hourly pay floor that has been in effect for nearly a decade.

The 52-46 vote was eight short of the 60 needed for approval under budget rules and came one day after House Republican leaders made clear they do not intend to allow a vote on the issue, fearing it might pass.

A living wage is the basis of any plan to end poverty. I have to wonder what the motivation is to not have the minimum wage be a living wage. If a person is willing to work a full time job they should have an income that is above the poverty level.

Oh now I understand, poor people don't contribute to campaigns. The Congress is making sure they take care of their base.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=2108615

House Votes to Cut Estate Taxes, Relieving Millionaires' Heirs As Well As Businesses and Farms
By MARY DALRYMPLE
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The House voted Thursday to cut taxes on inherited estates and relieve thousands of heirs from paying tax collectors beginning next decade.

Thousands. In a nation of 300 million the Senate refuses to address an issue that effects 40 million and the House panders to a few thousand.

The 269-156 vote, just a few months before an election with control of Congress at stake, saw majority Republicans temporarily setting aside their ambition to abolish the tax.

Hmmm... could it be that this is not a popular election year issue?

Instead, they voted to exempt from taxation individual estates up to $5 million and couple's estates up to $10 million, while also blunting the impact on even richer families. The compromise measure now goes to the Senate.

Oh that is a relief, the same Senate that refuses to have a vote on increasing the minimum wage.

The White House called the bill "a step in the right direction."

Isn't that reassuring.

Congressional tax experts estimated that if the changes become law, only 5,100 estates would face taxation when the changes are fully in effect in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2011. The Internal Revenue Service levied taxes on more than 30,000 estates in 2004, the most recent figure available.

I guess the White House and it's Congress will not rest until the last 5100 persecuted elite are once and for all liberated from this onerous burden.

I guess with enough money and no voting rights it doesn't matter what the majority wants.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationw...g22jun22,0,1505421.story?coll=la-story-footer

GOP Halts Extension of Voting Rights Act
A House vote to renew the landmark 1965 law is held up by objections over federal oversight of nine states and ballots in foreign languages.

I guess a 20% approval rating is high enough for the GOP Congress, all they have to do is call the Dems cowardly cut and runners, conduct extensive voter suppression campaigns, and keep the poor, well, keep them poor and away from the polls, to maintain their control of Congress.