John Edwards
Former Senator, John Edwards states: “Maybe I have been freed from the system and the fear that holds back politicians because I have learned there are much more important things in life than winning elections at the cost of selling your soul. Especially right now, when our country requires so much more of us, and needs to hear the truth from its leaders.
“Although I have spent my entire life taking on the big powerful interests and winning, which is why I have never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or political action committees. I’ve been guilty of silence, but no more.
“It’s time to tell the truth. The truth is the system in Washington is corrupt. It’s rigged by the powerful special interests to benefit the very few at the expense of the many. As a result, the American people have lost faith in our broken system in Washington, and believe it no longer works for ordinary Americans.
“As I look across the political landscape of both parties, I see politicians too afraid to tell the truth. Good people caught in a bad system that overwhelms their good intentions and requires them to chase millions of dollars in campaign contributions in order to perpetuate their careers and continue their climb to higher office.
“This presidential campaign is a perfect example of how our politics is awash with money. I have raised $30 million, which is more money up to this point than any Democratic candidate raised last time in the presidential campaign. I did it without taking a dime from any Washington lobbyist or any special interest PAC.
“I saw the chase for campaign money at any cost by the frontrunner in this race, but I did not join it, because the cost to our nation and our children is not worth the hollow victory of any candidate. Being called president while powerful interests really run things is not the same as being free to lead this nation as president of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. If protecting the current established structure in Washington is in your interest, then I am not your candidate. I ran for president four years ago, in part out of personal ambition, but also with a deep desire to stand for working people like my father and mother, who no matter how hard things were for our family, always worked even harder to make things better for us.
“I travel across America and listen to people, I hear real concern about what’s going on. For the first time in our history, people are worried that we’re going to be the first generation of Americans not to pass on a better life to our children.
“It’s not the fault of the American people. The American people have not changed. The American people are still the strong, courageous people they have always been. The problem is what our government has become, and it’s up to us to do something about it.
“Just look at what has happened in Iraq. Our men and women in uniform have been heroes. They’ve done everything that’s been asked of them and more. But, four years after invading Iraq, we cannot even keep the lights on in Baghdad.
“When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the American people donated their time and their money in record numbers. What about our government? Three years after hurricane Katrina thousands of our fellow Americans, our brothers and sisters, are still housed in trailers waiting to go home.
“There’s no better example of the bravery and goodness of the American people than the response to the attacks of 9/11: firefighters and first responders risking and too often giving their lives to save others, charging up the stairs while everyone else was coming down; record bloodbank donations. What about our government? Six years after 9/11, at Ground Zero there sits only a black hole that tortures our conscience and scars our hearts.
“In every instance we see an American people who are good, decent, compassionate and undeterred. The American people who are better than the government that is supposed to serve and represent them.
“What has happened to the American ‘can do’ spirit? I will tell you what has happened: all of this is the result of the bitter poisoned fruit of corruption and the bankruptcy of our political leadership.
“It is not an accident that the government of the United States cannot function on behalf of its people, because it is no longer our people’s government and we the people know it.
“This corruption did not begin yesterday and it didn’t even begin with George Bush. It has been building for decades. Now it threatens our democracy.
“While our nation’s brave sons and daughters put their lives on the line for our country in Iraq. Mercenaries operate under their own law while their bosses sit at home raking in millions.
“We have squandered millions on building Olympic size swimming pools and buildings that have never been used. We have weapons and ammunition unaccounted for that may now be being used against our own soldiers. We literally have billions wasted or misspent, while our troops and their families continue to sacrifice. And the politically connected lobby for more. What’s their great sacrifice -- higher profits.”
“Although I have spent my entire life taking on the big powerful interests and winning, which is why I have never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or political action committees. I’ve been guilty of silence, but no more.
“It’s time to tell the truth. The truth is the system in Washington is corrupt. It’s rigged by the powerful special interests to benefit the very few at the expense of the many. As a result, the American people have lost faith in our broken system in Washington, and believe it no longer works for ordinary Americans.
“As I look across the political landscape of both parties, I see politicians too afraid to tell the truth. Good people caught in a bad system that overwhelms their good intentions and requires them to chase millions of dollars in campaign contributions in order to perpetuate their careers and continue their climb to higher office.
“This presidential campaign is a perfect example of how our politics is awash with money. I have raised $30 million, which is more money up to this point than any Democratic candidate raised last time in the presidential campaign. I did it without taking a dime from any Washington lobbyist or any special interest PAC.
“I saw the chase for campaign money at any cost by the frontrunner in this race, but I did not join it, because the cost to our nation and our children is not worth the hollow victory of any candidate. Being called president while powerful interests really run things is not the same as being free to lead this nation as president of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. If protecting the current established structure in Washington is in your interest, then I am not your candidate. I ran for president four years ago, in part out of personal ambition, but also with a deep desire to stand for working people like my father and mother, who no matter how hard things were for our family, always worked even harder to make things better for us.
“I travel across America and listen to people, I hear real concern about what’s going on. For the first time in our history, people are worried that we’re going to be the first generation of Americans not to pass on a better life to our children.
“It’s not the fault of the American people. The American people have not changed. The American people are still the strong, courageous people they have always been. The problem is what our government has become, and it’s up to us to do something about it.
“Just look at what has happened in Iraq. Our men and women in uniform have been heroes. They’ve done everything that’s been asked of them and more. But, four years after invading Iraq, we cannot even keep the lights on in Baghdad.
“When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the American people donated their time and their money in record numbers. What about our government? Three years after hurricane Katrina thousands of our fellow Americans, our brothers and sisters, are still housed in trailers waiting to go home.
“There’s no better example of the bravery and goodness of the American people than the response to the attacks of 9/11: firefighters and first responders risking and too often giving their lives to save others, charging up the stairs while everyone else was coming down; record bloodbank donations. What about our government? Six years after 9/11, at Ground Zero there sits only a black hole that tortures our conscience and scars our hearts.
“In every instance we see an American people who are good, decent, compassionate and undeterred. The American people who are better than the government that is supposed to serve and represent them.
“What has happened to the American ‘can do’ spirit? I will tell you what has happened: all of this is the result of the bitter poisoned fruit of corruption and the bankruptcy of our political leadership.
“It is not an accident that the government of the United States cannot function on behalf of its people, because it is no longer our people’s government and we the people know it.
“This corruption did not begin yesterday and it didn’t even begin with George Bush. It has been building for decades. Now it threatens our democracy.
“While our nation’s brave sons and daughters put their lives on the line for our country in Iraq. Mercenaries operate under their own law while their bosses sit at home raking in millions.
“We have squandered millions on building Olympic size swimming pools and buildings that have never been used. We have weapons and ammunition unaccounted for that may now be being used against our own soldiers. We literally have billions wasted or misspent, while our troops and their families continue to sacrifice. And the politically connected lobby for more. What’s their great sacrifice -- higher profits.”
posted by Jim O'Leary | 1:22 AM
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