Andy Serwer: Why Edwards can bash Wall Street
The report points out that all of the other Democratic candidates have taken money from fatcats on Wall Street. John Edwards is the only candidate that hasn't. Why? He doesn't need their stinkin' money.
I suspect not even Ron Paul can say that!
A report came out today in the New York Times regarding Edwards' surge in Iowa. The political pundits just can't understand it. "How could this possibly happen?" they're asking. "He hasn't raised enough money," according to the pundit class.
As a (now) former bankruptcy attorney, I understand what is drawing people to Edwards' message. The message is this: if we follow the rules and we work hard all of our lives, we should be allowed to keep our pensions and health care. Corporations should not be allowed to drive businesses into bankruptcy so they can raid the retirement fund and leave the workers at or near retirement age (or any age for that matter) without their healthcare benefits. I knew this better than most.
John Edwards is the one candidate that has spoken about these issues at every opportunity. Candidates that want to kowtow to wealthy interests won't fight for poor and middle class people. John Edwards understands the anxiety working class Americans have regarding their financial security in a time of seemingly endless financial scandals on Wall Street, Enron-type bankruptcies and a Washington political class that has gotten far too cozy with those who have engineered a New Casino Economy.
You can also read my post at my blog regarding the Middle Class Squeeze that we all know about so well.
I read some commentator today talk about how many new engineered "financial innovations" coming out of Wall Street now are designed to make money for a few years and then crash and burn. "P.T. Barnum comes to Wall Street," I think it said.
That's no way to build long-term financial security for Americans. We need a candidate who will speak to these issues.
For the good of the country: vote John Edwards for President. He doesn't need their stinkin' money.