Remember the story Edwards told about the mother in Kansas City?

There is no doubt in my mind that Edwards was telling the truth. For those of you who didn't hear it, he said he met a mother from KC who told him that she can't afford to pay both her rent and her gas bill so she sends her kids to bed with several layers of clothing on so they will stay warm. She tells them not to tell anyone at school that they have no heat in their house or they will be taken away from her.

I posted here right before Christmas that when I asked one of my kids what he wanted for Christmas, he told me "electricity". :cry:

Children living in poverty is a very serious problem here in the US. My concern for these kids is one of the main reasons I am a Democrat. I see hope in my party for programs that will help these kids and ensure they will live better lives as adults than the lives they live as children. Compassionate conservative republicans have had their chance and they have done nothing to address poverty. They offer scorn to the poor and a "I got mine, you get yours" selfish attitude.

I know I am preaching to the choir here on DU. And that is one reason I come here.

After hearing what Edwards said about the mother in Kansas City, and his determination to help people like her, I knew I would have no problem pledging my support to him if Kucinich quit the race.

So I have a new avatar and a new sig pic too. The sig pic was taken at our SCHIP rally in October.

There are more and more of those kids every day, it seems. Proud to stand with you in support of Edwards, proud2blib. :hi:

Anyone catch it?

LOL

I stay tuned because he was saying some, not so nice things, about Edwards and I wanted to see if something had happened in the time I was away. I thought by the way he sounded that the SC election had taken place and Edwards had been beaten badly. That's when Beck started tearing down Edward's platform, talking about the <insert gibberish name for poor people>.

Beck doesn't seem to understand that that compassion he expects from the medical community has to start somewhere. Let it begin with him.

too

:)

it was much warmer then :)

That's important to me too, and the fact that it's important to John means something.

I see it every day. And people living in poverty have suffered so much since 2000.

With all the suffering people he speaks with on a daily basis, I'd find it much more likely that the story is true than that he just made it up. He has probably heard a lot worse.

Why would you doubt it?

Why? First and foremost Edwards is a politician and a lawyer. That should answer your question right there.

The rest of his insensitive approach to life, though, adds to the questioning. The house, the haircuts, the bank account, the "Poverty Center" at UNC that isn't, the suits, the whole deal where "looking good" and enjoying the "good life" trumps any care whatsoever about the less fortunate among us.

she froze in the night, less than a year old.

Yes, it happens, even here.

Both as a child and as a parent. Why would you doubt it?

Edwards is a politician and a lawyer.

Nuff' said.

Edwards served one term as a US Senator, and since then has been a private citizen. Yes he is running for political office but that does not mean that he makes up every story he tells in front of the crowd. Why would he? Iowa, and every other state, is chock full of people for whom that story is 100% the gospel truth.

As for this business that him being a lawyer somehow impugns his credibility, that's just sad. Sure, there are shyster lawyers, just as there are doctors and auto mechanics and secretaries and sales clerks and any other profession you care to name. His RECORD as a lawyer speaks for itself, and it does not indicate any dishonesty or lack of compassion. The contrary in fact.

You are biased, you lack objectivity, and your pithy little one-liners are exactly what is wrong with the political process. Stop being a "fan", and start trying to help the rest of us decide what is best for this country. If you honestly feel it isn't Edwards than that is fine, but your reasoning is that of the juvenile or ignorant. We need better than that, this is not a game.

Knock yourself out. And if you get a chance, ask Mr. Edwards how much tax he paid on his income from Fortress. And how much it costs to heat that little abode of his. I hate to rain cynical on your love-fest parade, but that is what Edwards does to me. If you can overlook such a tsunami of hypocrisy, again, knock yourself out.

Would he have more credibility with you if he had a lower property tax bill and a lower utility bill? Maybe if he had to put his own kids to bed at night wearing their coats to stay warm?

Anyone who becomes president is going to be wealthy and well connected. Some presidents, such as FDR, Kennedy and Carter did a great deal for those of us who are less than fortunate. Edwards could very well be another in that line.

What are the other two candidates?

children are living a life he never did. Is it reasonably that he can transend care to others using the Law and political career he has as his tools? I know he can!!!!

I 'm a Social Worker. I see this stuff everyday. I get calls from people AND I CAN"T HELP! The range of Social Programs being offered, especially in MO. where Matt ( I've accomplished everything I set out to do , one term loser) Blount has been running things! But it wasn't much better with a Democratic Governor because the House and Senate wouldn't let them pass anything!
Anyway , Edwards is our best hope!

Blunt is a train wreck. And so so bad for our kids.

They are saying Kinder is going to challenge him!
Kinder is a closeted gay guy!Trust me , I have NOTHING against that !

A friend of mine knows from personal experience.
But , more importantly , he' a MONSTER!
Nixon's the One!
Who ever thought they'd see THAT on Democratic Underground!

You'll have to keep me posted. :hi:

I grew up in Cape Girardeau, which has the dubious "honor" of being the home of Kinder and Rush Limbaugh!
(PITY ME!)
My family , though always left-leaning, knew their families!
I know both men, (PITY ME!) and know some dirt on 'em both!
Anyhoo! Kinder is slightly to the right of Mussolini , who some jerk is now trying to call a liberal!

Jason something? From Cape? He was a state rep a few years ago and during a House debate, every time the Democrats said something he disagreed with, he made siren sounds and fart noises into his microphone. Now he is a state senator.

You know his Mom was a Teacher! And paid by the State!He is such a jerk!
When I 1st met him he was talking about lowering taxes and cutting Social Programs and I said:
"But isn't Missouri playing catch up ball with Social Programs and State Employee pay as it is? Do We REALLY want to be last or next to the last ? Isn't that kind of EMBARRASSING?"
And he looked around with wide eyes and muttered:" But no one likes high taxes."

I emailed him. Told him I was a special ed teacher and my students behaved more appropriately in public than he did.

So he replied "You are welcome for increasing the education budget without raising your taxes".

I replied back "Don't take me for a fool. You included federal allocations in your budget so it LOOKS LIKE you are spending more on education when you and I both know you aren't"

He spammed me out after that so I couldn't email him anymore.

So I sent him a snail mail. Told him I would do everything I could to see that he was not re-elected. Then he became a state senator.

So if you know of anyone running against him, please PM me and let me know so I can donate to their campaign. He is an ass and I would love to see him out of state government.

:thumbsup:

:)

As a child who grew up in poverty, I too have no doubt about that story. Stories like that are happening all over America. And it is the "least of these" that motivates me poltically as well.

But lately, I feel like I can make more of a difference if I focus on the political. NCLB has pretty much destroyed the profession.

I hope we rectify that soon as well. :hug:

I also like his focus on the plights of ordinary folks, like the mom from KC.

Now, don't forget, whenever you see this:



You need to rush immediately to an Positive Edwards thread and rec it up...

Just kidding - and proud to have you among us!

are very sound. Regardless of who wins, let's hope issues like these stay at the forefront.

and will DO something. It is personal with him. I so hope he pulls this out. The world needs him.

:hi:

I have had to choose between utilities and groceries, and ended up splitting the difference so we wouldn't get shut off, but eating crap until the next payday.
My ex just quit his job to avoid $50 a month more in child support...and that means I lost half my income. I work two, sometime thre jobs to keep afloat, i seems like there aren't enough hours in the day or week to make enough and take care of the kids too..right now I don't know where rent is coming from, my parents can't help much more, they are strapped too.

ya, a vote for Edwards is the only hope I have in times like this.


...and did anyone read the thread about Global warming being worse...?

fun times to be alive

Without you saying a word, the kids will know in the end who was really there for them and what kind of person their father really is.

Hang in there.

I'm confident that John will win this one and this country will really turn things around.

:hi:

And keep your chin up, we can make this country better for everyone. I know exactly where you're coming from, these are not good times for many, many people.

He was on the Board of Urban Ministries here in Raleigh, NC, long before he ever ran for any office. They help the homeless, helpless, and do a fine job with the funds they have with which to work.

I know Edwards is sincere in what he says about helping the poor, the working poor, and those needing a hand up. I followed his career for over 20 yrs.

You would have nothing to regret about your decision to support John Edwards. He and Kucinich have always been most alike than any other Democratic CAndidates.

Psst... he needs donations! Please help with this too.

So GLAD to have you and thanks for the support!!

:hi: :dem:

I want you to know, you made me cry. And I'm supposed to be the tough guy around here.

Good, great post. K&R

I about had a stroke! I don't see how families are going to make it. The foreclosures in our small town paper also continue to grow.

...and he's the real deal. I just hope to GOD American voters don't screw this up and shoot themselves (and us) in the foot with HillBama bullets. But I fear they will.

Go John!

in a short special report. it was a mother and two kids--boy & girl--they were very "large" (overweight) kids. i don't recall if they said the mom told the kids not to tell anyone--so it's possible this isn't the same family. (after all--if the mom didn't want people to know then she probably wouldn't go on camera). but we know this type of thing is going on across this "great nation" where the heat is turned off and people are fucking FREEZING!

every winter the local news runs stories about people with their electric shut off. i can't imagine how horrible and hard it is for those people. it is an absolute crime how some people must "live."

basics of life that get no voice. Thanks for re-posting this. What does SCHIP stand for?

to yell at my TV and ask them to quit their damn fighting. LOL