Posted on 01/03/2003 7:12:12 AM PST by PhiKapMom
Edwards Should Prove His Populism
2003-01-03
AS HE tossed his hat into the 2004 presidential ring this week, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards vowed he would be a "champion for regular people." Don't we wish.
The handsome, well-spoken 49-year-old Democrat is just the latest politician to declare himself one of the people, a populist who will fight for the little guy in the circles of power.
In reality Edwards is a multimillionaire, his money made as a high-powered trial lawyer. No shame in that, but Americans should be wary if they see television spots of the senator piloting a tractor or chopping wood. We doubt you'll find many calluses on that man's hands.
Still, Edwards will be a formidable candidate, despite Washington whispers he's somewhat lacking in the depth department. In his first term he has earned a reputation as a terrific floor debater and for flailing witnesses in committee hearings. Good looks don't hurt.
As for the issues, Edwards voted for the Iraqi war resolution and advocates a new national intelligence-gathering agency. He says he would put off parts of the 2001 tax cut that haven't phased in yet and has called on fellow Democrats to get spending under control.
As for his man-of-the-people riff, we'll play along just a bit with this challenge: If Edwards really is a "champion for regular people," then let's see him lead the way for real tort reform in Congress in 2003.
That means pushing through limits on monetary judgments in the kinds of civil lawsuits that made him millions. Conservatives have pushed for reforms the past few years, but efforts routinely stall in the Senate, where the trial lawyers' lobby uses folks like John Edwards to block reform.
Likewise, Edwards could prove his populism by championing medical malpractice reform -- tort reform's health- care industry cousin.
In Pennsylvania, a walkout was narrowly avoided by physicians protesting the high cost and limited availability of medical malpractice insurance. Not so in West Virginia, where surgeons at four hospitals have begun a 30-day strike.
The reason doctors' insurance premiums are so high is simple: outrageous jury awards in lawsuits championed by the likes of Sen. Edwards.
The result is less health care for the regular people in America. "Juries willing to award sky-high payouts to plaintiffs poison the well for patients everywhere," the Wall Street Journal editorialized.
Edwards may not know enough about free trade or foreign policy, but tort and medical malpractice reform are two areas in which he's an expert.
He can put his money where his mouth is by voting against his trial lawyer friends on these important issues, lowering the cost of doing business and delivering health care -- improving the lives of the everyday Americans he claims to represent.
FReegards...MUD
However, being a trial lawyer is going to be more hurtful than helpful, and I think he will go down in flames like the rest of the Rat candidates in 2004.
Because he is a liar? See here for example. You can find more data on the net. Clinton was an exception to this. Most psychopaths are but there are techniques to catch them in falsehoods. Hillary may have some serious head problems but she does not appear to be a psychopath like her husband. So, she is one good interview away from being thrown on the trash heap.
The media keeps defining this critter as a formidable debater. Sure could have fooled me. And his dicussion about fiscal discipline, followed by his plan for free college for EVERYONE sounds more than a bit ludicrous......not that the media would notice. They're all in love.
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