Edwards unveils "Social Contract"

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/26/432588.aspx

From NBC/National Journal’s Tricia Miller
Edwards introduced his policy on corporate responsibility in a speech called “Renewing the Social Contract” in Des Moines this morning.

“Over the course of our history, every generation of Americans has helped to expand the reach of that compact, moving us ever closer to the America of our ideals, where opportunity is truly shared by all,” he said in prepared remarks. “But now, instead of expanding further, our social compact is falling apart.”

Edwards called for a “new universal retirement account requiring every business to automatically enroll its workers in at least one plan: a traditional pension, a 401(k), or an IRA.” He also reiterated his support for universal health care, blaming lobbyists and insurance companies for blocking it thus far, and called again for the strengthening of organized labor. He said his administration would enact laws encouraging transparency in corporate reporting and more rights for shareholders, including “a say on executive pay.”

Edwards used the speech to continue his theme of rooting out corruption in Washington, as well as in corporate boardrooms. He brought the speech to a close with a quote from John F. Kennedy: "John F. Kennedy once said, 'The heart of the question is whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities, whether we are going to treat our fellow Americans as we want to be treated.'"

a strategy, and soon his media buys will start hitting the air waves.

If he is able to continue to press forward and elevating the debate, he just might pull this off......

He really needs to rise above the pack at the next debate...to demonstrate that his showing in the last debate was no fluke.

Y'know, if he had these ideas back then, he should've considered not giving up his Senate seat.

even going after corporate pay.

But where in the heck does the US government have the right to dictate what an executive at a private company earns? Where in the Constitution does that government power come from?

I'm a business owner myself. I don't want the government deciding how much I can make.

Why do we lament over-intrusive government when RW'ers are in power, but long for such a government when Dem's are in power?

"The Congress shall have power …To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof."

Also, I assume you're a small business owner, so I highly doubt an Edwards administration would care what you make. We're talking about executives making millions of dollars while their workforce makes minimum wage. I don't think that's fair, do you?

You know, the people that actually own the company?

Oops. I read the statement to mean the law would address corporate pay. But I can see how it could also mean the shareholders would have a say in corporate pay.

What does "having a say" really mean?

It isn't really spelled out but there has been a call for shareholders to have a greater say in such matters. Usually these things are decided by executive committees without any input or disclosure until after the fact.

Article I, Section 8: "The Congress shall have power . . . To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;"

If your goods have moved in interstate commerce, need to be regulated to effectuate a larger scheme of interstate commerce regulation, or are indistinguishable from goods which have moved in interstate commerce, anything related to them that has a substantial effect on interstate commerce can be federally regulated, if, in congress' opinion, it is reasonable to do so. Read N.L.R.B. v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp (301 U.S. 1) for the beginning of this interpretation of the Constitution. The most recent case laying out the basic Commerce Clause analysis is U.S. v. Lopez(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._v._Lopez)

Disclaimer, this does not constitute legal advice, and I am not an attorney.

My problem with the commerce clause is that -- if left unchecked -- it can be used as an excuse to pass virtually any law at all. I mean, every single thing that we use in daily life has traveled in interstate commerce. Does that mean that Congress can pass any law regarding anything?

I know the SCOTUS has gone back and forth as to how strictly it interprets the CC. For a while in the 1940's and 50's, it upheld virtually every law based on the CC. Then the Court started to roll back a little and say, "wait a minute." The congress can't get away with passing any 'ol law and then saying the CC justifies it. There has to be a limit.

This way "they" fear him.

And that includes the Dems, too.

When will we every be the party of the people?

...

“new universal retirement account requiring every business to automatically enroll its workers in at least one plan: a traditional pension, a 401(k), or an IRA.”

That'll never happen. Small business (and some big ones too) will fight like hell against it. It would never make it out of congress. (assuming congress would even get on board).

Before I even gather my thoughts on these things he springs them out. My soulmate candidate- and I thought I was just being objective.

I admire his stance on lobbyist and PAC money, but it is starving him.

want him to UPSET the place and are putting a LOT of effort into getting him "panned!" I don't HAVE a link, but the first time I heard this was after the last debate when Tweety was talking to Chuck Todd and Todd actually said those exact words! Tweety asked who "they" were and he declined to say, but told Tweety... You Know!!!

I heard Chuck Todd say it again on another program, and I think he wrote something about it at his web site!

It explains a lot and it's so unfair. I know many people who support Edwards and was talking with my VERY Repug sister who lives in TX yesterday and she said she didn't like ANY Repug candidate. She also assumed I was supporting Hillary and when I told her that she would be my last choice, she told me that "if" the media would stop pushing Hillary on us, she hoped Edwards would be the nominee!!

Then she said something that REALLY shocked me, she said she would VOTE for him!! Out of 6 girls in our family, she's the only Repug, and what she said is VERY revealing! She hates Hillary Clinton and most of her Repug friends say they will do almost anything to keep her OUT of the WH! And I'm NOT making ANY of this up! It shocked me!!

We don't often hear the Golden Rule quoted anymore.

We, as a society, have lost the ability to empathize.

And, the liberals are in the same bunch.

Welcome to my world.

Sending this to the greatest... :kick::thumbsup::woohoo:

Swiftboating won't be long behind. Hopefully this time a fed up public won't fall for it.

Democratic presidential hopefu,l former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, delivers his policy address on corporate responsibility, Friday, Oct. 26, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa. Edwards said his plan would demand corporate responsibility, including limits on executive compensation packages and requirements that big businesses operate more openly. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)