Dear John Edwards

I supported you in 2004 and am still inclined to vote for you in my caucus, if you are still in the race by then. So it bothers me to see how you continue to slip.

One politically incorrect reason is that the poor do not follow politics and do not vote and, of course, do not contribute. And I cringe to think of how much good we could have done for the poor with the $360 million collected so far by all the candidates.

The reality is that most Americans do not hate the rich; they want to be rich. This is why this country never had and never will have a revolution. Many still believe in the "American Dream" that if you work hard you can climb from the mail room to the corner office. The immigrants - legal and illegal - that continue to come to this country do not want to fight for a fair distribution of wealth; they want to pursue the wealth.

Your attack on Clinton to "repent" her IWR vote appeared petty. She already expressed her stand and, as you can see, is doing quite well. Now there are reports that you complain about "stolen" ideas by Clinton and Obama. Again, this appears so petty and show weaknesses.

I have always believed in coming up with concrete ideas instead of complaining about bad ones, and this is true for personal, business and political areas.

You started up great - proposing a health care plan, But since then you have wandered to the sidelines. Frankly, I think that the "media" likes you and has given you a lot more space and really is trying to offer you a hand, to keep you afloat.

And, I think that the term "Two Americas" can be viewed as a divisive one: us and them. Yes, many on DU like to view our economic system as such, but I don't think that this is how most voters, who are satisfied with their current lives, share this.

Yes, many of us worry about our jobs, our health care, the schools, what kind of jobs will our children have.. is a college degree, besides education, really the way for economic stability?

You started up with a solid plan for health insurance (and I understand why you left employers there; most people who do have this kind of insurance like it, for once, you can start a new job and be insured, even with pre-existing conditions).

How about coming with new solid proposals? Investing in the infrastructure of our country: bridges, light rail, water channels - can provide thousands of stable jobs at all skill levels, jobs that cannot be outsourced.

Offering tax incentives for corporations that contribute generously to employees' 401K; perhaps even tying CEO's compensation to contribution to profit sharing, percentage wise.

And perhaps even a close look at the office of Veterans affairs. We've heard about their huge bonuses, but what about veterans? Do they have adequate medical care? Did they get back their jobs? What about their mortgages? Yes, I know, they volunteer, but they are our family and friends.

You have never been to Iraq and perhaps by now it is not practical. But how about meeting with veterans in the US and listen to them? Their opinions about both military and civilian concnerns?

You banked on support of labor and so far this approach has been disappointing. The reality is that we moved from being a manufacturing economy of the 30s thru the 60s to a service one, where 2/3 (some say 78%) of the economy is service driven. (Which is why both Bushes told us to go shopping.)

Many of us, who, like our parents thought that we would spend all of our working years in one benevolent corporation with good benefits and pensions ended up being downsized, changing many jobs, going though periods of unemployment and under employment, even self employed to get ends meet. There are a lot more small employers now than the big corporations of the early and mid parts of the previous century. Union does not speak for most of us any longer, DU notwithstanding. You talk about your father, but how many textile mills are there now? How many steel factories? How many auto workers still work for the "big three?"

Mr. Edwards, you, like every candidate, need to get your topic that will distinguish you from the other candidates. The war and health care are topics that all are using.

You need to find your own way. Yes, poverty is important, but not enough to win votes. Addressing the middle class can expand your reach. But not by attacking "the rich," not by divisive words. You obviously have met with many poor people. Perhaps it is time to meet with middle class Americans and to listen to what matters to them.

His theme is divisive.

John Edwards campaign theme isn't "Two Americas" that was 2004. His campaign theme is "Building One America". He has repeatedly stated that this isn't a battle between the rich and poor. It is a battle between the "super rich and everyone else". He has come out with many plans to rebuild the middle class. Please see his issues section of his website for more.

http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/

PS - He is doing well, you have just been hearing the media spin. For example, the media on two different occations announced that Edwards was not going to get the SEIU endorsement with banners and such. Well, THEY WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO ENDORSE UNIL MID OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER. They have yet to vote on it, yet the media repeatedly reported otherwise.

the Hillary drums in Iowa are getting louder even though there seems to be no support for her here. The media and the republicans who own the media want Hillary to run against. They are trying to brow beat people into thinking it is inevitable she gets it. It is not inevitable but I will say if she does get it I will vote for her. However, the recent tactic here in Iowa has been as follows... "I supported you in the past John Edwards but I don't now" Insert talking points here...
There is no tangible evidence that anyone espousing these views in print and in the media ever supported John Edwards at any time.

I just read the section about military and veterans.

Why don't we hear more about it? Again this evening on Keith Olbermann the subject was still Iraq and how he differs from Clinton. He needs to expand more on his other issues. Politicians know how to do this. They reply and then add "but I want to also mention, etc."

And, while his theme is "Building One America" the second paragraph is about Two Americas:

In today's Two Americas, it is no coincidence that most families are working harder for stagnating wages when there are nearly 60 lobbyists for every member of Congress.

Reporters are harping on the clash between him and Clinton about Iraq and he needs to move the interview for other issues, and to emphasize the middle class.

Last, interesting list of sub sections:

African Americans
Asian Americans
Latino
GLBT
Women
Young Americans
Older Americans

This, too, is a way of dividing and compartmentalizing us.

conditions of this country are divisive. And John Has found his way. He is the only candidate not only talking to the poor but the only candidate protecting the middle class. It is the middle class that John has been meeting with. Th one who has not been paying attention is you if you have not noticed that the line between the middle class and the poor is disappearing.