Let's forego name-calling and examine the facts. In the past three years, public college tuition has risen more than 25 percent, prescription drug costs up more than 50 percent, total health care costs well over 50 percent, not to mention gas, food, and utilities. Not surprisingly, corporate profits have soared dramatically. Yes, I got a federal tax cut, a whopping 21 cents a day over the last three years. The only people that benefited from these tax cuts, were the wealthy. Today, millions of working Americans are without health care coverage, they just can't afford the premiums. Millions of others have lost jobs, and many of the new jobs currently being touted by the Bush administration are lower paying. The Republicans blocked a vote to raise the minimum wage. The Democrats have been reluctant to fight back for fear of being accused of "class warfare", and too many of them are influenced by the same corporate lobbyists as Republicans. In the wealthiest nation in the world, some seniors are forced to choose between buying food or medicine. One in six children live in poverty, and young college graduates start their careers burdened with mountains of debt. Like it or not, there is a widening gap between rich and poor. Senator Edwards' theme of "Two Americas" is correct. Our country is increasingly divided and the middle ground is shrinking. Many moderate Americans are tired of the polarization. John Edwards seems to genuinely understand this issue. Whether or not you agree with him, he has hit a nerve. People are, as he says, desperate to fell optimistic again. I appreciate Edwards optimism.
