I woke up this morning with a sinking feeling. I was lying in bed hoping that when I went to the computer I wouldn't see the words, "Edwards Out". I won't lie to you, this is a very sad day for me. I've been crying, just like a little baby. I know I know....this is the way of politics. We're supposed to get our hearts ripped out. We're supposed to have our guts punched in until we succumb to defeatism. We're supposed to move on to greener pastures.......
My journey advocating for John Edwards started back in before he announced his 2004 Presidential run. I was sick and injured from a car wreck that left me housebound for awhile. I was watching C-Span where I watched a passionate man speak forcefully. He was charasmatic, had a southern accent and was inspiring me instantly. I decided to do a little research and what I begin to find out was this:
He Spent His Whole Life Advocating for Those Who Live in Poverty
He Fought Big Corporations and big HMO's in the Courtroom and Beat Them
He Worked Hard on Consumer Rights Issues
He was a Champion for Patients Rights
It wasn't long before on was on board with his Campaign. I never stopped talking to people in my daily life about Edwards and his proposals. I never stopped talking with people here on Kos and other blogs about why I believed Edwards was the candidate who would represent the people.
I must say, it's with great sadness that I must look elsewhere for leadership on the issues I care about. I'm not talking about looking to other candidates for leadership on poverty issues. I'm talking about what's the best avenue for me and other Edwards supporters to take to keep the Edwards Campaign alive. The thing is, this campaign wasn't about Edwards. It was about us. I know it sounds cliche, but it's the truth. Edwards never failed to focus on economic injustice in America. We haven't had a President like that since FDR. Lord knows, we need one. We need a President who will not look the other way and give tax breaks while the poor continue to struggle. We need a President who will not compromise with the big insurance companies. We need a President who will stand strong and deliver what all Americans deserve, Universal Health Care. Americans are dying because they can't afford health care coverage. What does that say about us as a country?
So, what am I going to do? Exactly what Edwards said in his speech:
All of you who have been involved in this campaign and this movement for change and this cause, we need you. It is in our hour of need that your country needs you. Don't turn away, because we have not just a city of New Orleans to rebuild. We have an American house to rebuild.
This work goes on. It goes on right here in Musicians' Village. There are homes to build here, and in neighborhoods all along the Gulf. The work goes on for the students in crumbling schools just yearning for a chance to get ahead. It goes on for day care workers, for steel workers risking their lives in cities all across this country. And the work goes on for two hundred thousand men and women who wore the uniform of the United States of America, proud veterans, who go to sleep every night under bridges, or in shelters, or on grates, just as the people we saw on the way here today. Their cause is our cause.
Their struggle is our struggle. Their dreams are our dreams.
Do not turn away from these great struggles before us. Do not give up on the causes that we have fought for. Do not walk away from what's possible, because it's time for all of us, all of us together, to make the two Americas one.
No matter how defeated and sad I am today, I know John's right. We can't turn away. I can't turn away. John's cause, is my cause. If this campaign has taught me anything, it's that we all need to speak out for those who can't. My political focus has been mainly advocating for Edwards because I felt he would lift people out of poverty in America. I thought that this was the best way I could make a difference in peoples' lives. Now that he has opted out of the race, my focus now becomes the cause itself.
A note to John and Elizabeth.....
I doubt you'll actually read this, but it has to be said anyways. You helped make me a fighter for life. Before I became involved with your campaign, I was an uninspired Democrat. I looked to the heroes of the past and thought that time in history was over. I didn't hear passion from politicians anymore. Our capitalistic society favoring wealth over everything else had me numb. When I became involved in your campaign, you woke me up. I am forever indebted to you. Just so you know, if you ever decide to run again, I will be there fighting for you harder than ever, as you have fought for us. Thank you both.