Well before the 2004 Presidential election heated up, John Edwards published his
Real Solutions booklet laying bare his vision for America. I distributed the booklet to friends and family (printing it on my inkjet printer at great personal expense - cartridges cost way too much. I'm ready for 2008 with two laser printers! ;)
The information in the booklet gave the most precise statements of any politician at the time. Edwards was then, and is now, ahead of his time - visit the OAC Blog ("new"), One America ("newer"), and the Town Hall Forums ("newest") to judge for yourself. The turning point for many people was not the booklet, however. Real Solutions was a great introduction to Edwards, but people became convinced of his sincerity when they heard and saw him.
I decided to write this diary after reading a number of comments by other Kos members saying that they weren't aware of Edwards' current or previous endeavors. This provides a little bit of history and links to get current information. At least people who read this diary won't be able to say "I didn't know that about him". Information is power, use it!
Thanks to OnTheIssues.org and Issues2000.org for preserving this on the Internet so that more people can read the vision.
Keep in mind that this was written THREE years ago.
Table of contents:
--- John Edwards' Real Solutions For America (HTML version)
--- Rewarding Work And Creating Opportunity
--- Creating Jobs And Helping Working Americans
--- Returning America'S Values To Corporate America
--- Keeping America Safe At Home By Strengthening Domestic Defense
--- Strengthening America's Role In The World Through Principled Leadership
--- Health Care For Every Child
--- Quality Schools And College For Everyone
--- Revitalizing Small Towns And Rural America
--- Leading The Fight For Clean Air And Clean Water
--- Fighting Crime
--- Honoring Working Parents
Preface
John Edwards believes that the way we strengthen America is to have a government that honors our values. Edwards understands that hard work, responsibility, faith, and family are the values that built America, and they are the values we should rely on to shape our future. John Edwards' plan offers real solutions for America.
His plans will renew our economy by rewarding work and providing tax breaks for working Americans to build their wealth. He has a detailed plan to restore fiscal discipline, return responsibility to corporate America, and rebuild confidence in our markets. He will keep manufacturing jobs in America, and revitalize our small towns and rural economies. And for the first time in history, every child will have health care, and he will bring down the high costs of health care.
These ideas are rooted in the values and principles John Edwards learned in Robbins, North Carolina. His father worked in the textile mills all of his life, his mother held a number of jobs, the last one at the post office, and he was the first member of his family to attend college. John Edwards believes that every American should have the same opportunities to reach his or her God-given potential, and believes that this plan is the right plan for America.
These are some of the proposals you'll find here:
Tax Reform to Reward Work.
Edwards believes a millionaire should not pay lower taxes on his unearned income than a nurse pays for working overtime. While restoring fiscal discipline, Edwards will offer tax breaks to help working families own a piece of the rock--buy a home, save for retirement, or invest in stocks.
Good Jobs at Home.
America has lost more than 2 million manufacturing jobs under George Bush. Edwards will create good jobs--negotiating only fair trade deals, closing loopholes for companies moving headquarters overseas, and creating tax breaks for companies that manufacture in America.
A Strong America.
Edwards believes that American families are safer at home when we are respected abroad. He will lead by working with our closest allies to solve the world's toughest problems. He will create a global coalition to fight terrorism and combat weapons of mass destruction, promote democracy and freedom, and revitalize international institutions that make America stronger.
An America that is Safer and More Free.
To track down terrorists within our borders, Edwards supports a new homeland intelligence agency. To protect basic freedoms that this administration has undercut, he will establish strong safeguards for our liberties that are missing today.
Health Care for Every Child.
Edwards proposes that for the first time in history, America should require health insurance for every child, with tax credits to help families with rising premiums. He will take on insurance companies, drug companies, and HMOs to bring down health care costs for every American. College for Everyone. Edwards will say to America's young people: we will pay for your first year of college tuition at a public university or community college, if you will do your part in school and work at least 10 hours a week. A New Deal for Teachers. Because a great education starts with a great teacher, Edwards will increase teacher pay, especially in the areas that need good teachers most, and will offer scholarships for young people who commit to tough teaching assignments.
An Agenda for Rural America.
While many in Washington just fly over rural America to get from one coast to the other, Edwards comes from rural America, and he offers real help for rural America--investing capital, introducing technology, and protecting the natural heritage.
Fueling America's Future.
Edwards will set up new factories to convert agricultural waste, like corn stalks and wood chips, into energy products. These factories will create manufacturing jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Worker and Shareholder Bill of Rights. Some CEOs have lined their own pockets while workers lost their jobs and families lost their savings. Edwards will crack down on outrageous CEO pay, require honest accounting, and ensure pension fairness for ordinary workers.
Relief for Working Parents.
Today, parents are working longer hours and spending less time with their children. Edwards will offer relief to those families. He will offer a family leave tax credit so parents with newborns can afford to spend time with their children, and provide afterschool opportunities so children have safe, nourishing places to go.