Crossinator

A radical idea! (This is not to be seen as an endorsement of Edwards, but merely a showcase of some ideas that might just work!)

This week John Edwards spoke in New Hampshire about ending poverty, both domestically and world-wide. A pretty radical idea here are some excerpts.

WORLD-WIDE POVERTY

From the Boston Herald

Seeking to link poverty in other countries to the United States’ national security, Edwards argued that militant extremists in nations torn apart by poverty and civil war have replaced government educational systems and are teaching young people to hate the United States.

”If we tackle it, we have the chance to change a generation of potential extremists and enemies into a generation of friends,” Edwards said.

From John Edwards for President website:

Edwards will endorse the goal of universal basic education by 2015 and commit $3 billion a year to this cause—enough to enroll 23 million children—and encourage our allies to provide the remaining $7 billion needed.

Edwards will invest in preventative health care in poor countries, beginning with increased vaccinations and the provision of sterile equipment and basic medications

Edwards will expand support for the National Endowment for Democracy to strengthen political parties, train political candidates, educate voters, and monitor elections. The resources will help countries with a history of political violence or extremist or terrorist activity.

The new Cabinet-level position within the White House will coordinate global development policies across the federal government. The adviser will have the authority to coordinate budgets among the relevant programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. and other relevant agencies. During Cabinet meetings in the Edwards Administration, the official will be a voice for the fight against global poverty. [A truly radical idea, get rid of some beuracracy!]

DOMESTIC POVERTY

From the Boston Herald

Edwards, who established a research center on poverty after his failed 2004 campaign, has set a goal of eliminating poverty in the United States in 30 years. His proposed solutions include creating a million temporary jobs for low-income workers, strengthening labor laws, increasing tax credits for working families and making housing and higher education more affordable.

Edwards, who established a research center on poverty after his failed 2004 campaign, has set a goal of eliminating poverty in the United States in 30 years. His proposed solutions include creating a million temporary jobs for low-income workers, strengthening labor laws, increasing tax credits for working families and making housing and higher education more affordable.

From John Edwards for President website:

Edwards calls for a national effort to:

• Cut poverty by one third within a decade, lifting 12 million Americans out of poverty by 2016.
• End poverty within 30 years, lifting 37 million Americans out of poverty by 2036.

Edwards suggested creating 1 million temporary jobs over five years. The jobs would be reserved for individuals who cannot find other work after six months of looking, pay the minimum wage, and last up to 12 months. In return, workers must show up and work hard, stay off drugs, do not commit any crimes, and pay child support.

Edwards proposed increasing the minimum wage to at least $7.50 an hour. The proposal would increase a full-time minimum-wage worker's pay by $4,800 and benefit more than 15 million minimum and near-minimum wage workers. A $1 increase in the minimum wage has been estimated to lift nearly 900,000 people out of poverty.

Edwards suggested creating one million new housing vouchers over five years to let low-income families choose to live in better neighborhoods. He believes that we should also expand the supply of affordable housing that is economically integrated with other communities.

Edwards will require more fathers to help support their children and, in return, help them find work. He will reserve budget cuts in child support enforcement to increase collections by more than $8 billion over the next decade and ensure that payments benefit children.