John Edwards on the Issues

It's important to vote for a candidate based on the issues, experience, and judgment as opposed to the production values of their television commercials. The candidates do their best to hide their positions on important issues. Here is my effort to try and present where they stand on the issues.

Iraq
John Edwards' Iraq plan is a bit confusing. He wants an immediate withdrawal of 50,000 troops. Apparently, since that won't happen, he would withdraw 50,000 troops within several months of his inauguration. He would end the combat phase of the war within ten months of his inauguration. He would leave between 3,500 and 5,000 troops in Iraq for target missions, such as: killing or capturing al Qaeda- seizing buildings and other places of interest- extricating prisoners, contraband, and intelligence- re-taking critical infrastructure which had fallen into "wrong" hands- providing immediate security for strengthening an embassy or airport- supporting overwhelmed friendly units anywhere in the country- protecting the border. He would leave 10,000 troops in Kuwait to help with those missions. Those troops won't be coming home anytime soon.

Iran and Pakistan
Edwards was against the non-binding resolution that named an Iranian military unit a terrorist organization. However, he believes that Iran is an "extremely dangerous country" and would not rule out an attack if Iran were threatening attack. He does favor diplomacy first and foremost. Edwards was right to be against the resolution, but his other comments are unnecessary. Iran is a relatively poor country with much more bark than bite. The recent National Intelligence Estimate even showed that Iran has not had an active nuclear program since 2003. Edwards wants to use US military aid as leverage to get Pakistan to go after al Qaeda. On a positive note, Edwards hopes to rid the planet of nuclear weapons.

Health Care
Edwards favors universal health care. This includes mandatory coverage. However, employers would have the option of either covering employees privately or sharing the costs of purchasing coverage from a list of state-run plans. Individuals would have a choice between the government plans or private coverage. The idea is to give the individual more choice and insurance companies competition to ultimate lower the cost of coverage. The thought is that if the government can provide low-cost quality health care, we would move towards a single-payer system. All of the state-run plans would be open to everyone regardless of pre-condition. Edwards has threatened to take away law-makers' federal health coverage if they don't pass his plan.

Immigration
John Edwards is in favor of putting a barrier on the Mexican border, which is a waste of resources. While, as with all Democratic candidates, he is for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, he would punish employers for hiring them, which makes you wonder how they'll get money to eat and live. He believes the states should decide whether undocumented immigrants should be given a driver's license. Yes, it is a cop-out.

Education
He would overhaul No Child Left Behind. He is for universal pre-kindergarten. He proposes a pay increase for teachers. He proposes a national teacher's school to train 1,000 top college students. Under his plan, the government would pay for public-college tuition for one year to students who are willing to work through school and stay out of trouble.

Free Trade
John Edwards would reverse NAFTA and other trade programs that he says are designed to wipe out the middle class.

Environment
Edwards is in favor of an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. He proposed a ban on coal-fired power plants. He is against liquefied coal. He favors a cap-and-trade system where the right to pollute is auctioned away. He proposed a 40 mile per gallon fuel-economy standard by 2016. He is in favor of corn-based ethanol, because it will lay the foundation for cellulosic ethanol in the future.

Other issues
death penalty: He's pro.
Cuban embargo: He would only lift some restrictions.
gay rights: Against gay marriage, for civil unions. For the ENDA, against Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy.

Other stuff
John Edwards was a one term senator from North Carolina from 1998-2004. He ran for president in 2004 and was the Democratic vice presidential nominee that year. Edwards was an attorney before pursuing a political career. His wife Elizabeth has had cancer. The couple lost a son in an automobile accident in 1996. John Edwards finish second in the Democratic primary during his 2004 presidential run. He has been an advocate for the poor in the time since then. However, he needs to rectify his liberal positions with his less-liberal voting record during his time in the senate.