I have never written a candidate diary. For ludicrous reasons of my own doing (nothing criminal, just stupidity) I've never voted and I don't have the time to rectify that in time for November. But today I feel the need to thank a man that has inspired me a great deal over the last year: John Edwards.
You opened many eyes to the fact that poverty is not a problem in some distant lands and countries, but an issue in our own back yards; unfortunately under a bridge around the corner and even in a house down the street. You pledged to end that poverty, not just something which we can only dream of, but that you made us believe we can do. Thank you for that.
You spoke truth to power and told the masses that we will never be truly free and in control of our government until we abolish the status quo of lobbyists and special interests in Washington. That we not only can but must continue to fight for our government of the people and not of the powerful and rich. Thank you for that.
You brought to the fore again that Unions have done nothing but helped the workers of this country throughout their existence; every safety measure, every better working condition, every living wage and more was secured by the Unions of this country banding together and forcing the owners of capital to act. Thank you for that.
You ran a good, clean and positive campaign that deserved more coverage and respect. When cynicism and character assassination was the flavor of the day you continued to stay on stay on message and remind us that the issues mattered; that no matter who was running, we needed to fix this country first and foremost. Thank you for that.
In a time when empty words of patriotism are thrown around about supporting our troops, you were the one candidate who repeatedly reminded everyone that we owe it to them to make sure they are looked after fully when they come back from war. While funding for the war was discussed you wanted, no demanded, that funding for veterans be spoken of, yet it was met at times with shocking glibness. You wanted us and those who would look the other way to be arrested by the truthful images of veterans, those who wear the uniform of this country, living in boxes and suffering in hospitals without the proper care and realize not that we can do better, but that we must do better. Thank you for that.
New Orleans still matters! You wouldn't let anyone forget that; your choice of location today again reminded us that a catastrophe happened on our land and that this administration brushed it under the rug. It is and should be a source of embarrassment but not for you: it was a place to go and show the hope that people could come together and work for a better life and a better tomorrow. Thank you for that.
Being the only western country without National Health coverage you were first to lay down the pledge to change that and make health insurance available and affordable for all. It is another embarrassment that this isn't already a fact of American life and you constantly let us know that and pushed the debate towards tackling this issue and rectifying perhaps the single most important issue facing working class families today. Once this is achieved, people will be free to risk business ventures and more importantly be free of the worry that they are a medical emergency away from financial ruin. Thank you for that.
You voted poorly on the Iraq war resolution. But, you came out and said so and apologized for that, and that took courage. Since then you have been staunch in your opposition to the war and its blind defenders in and around this administration. You've not let this fight go and once you knew it was a sham you have been outspoken in its mismanagement and on the need to bring our troops home. Thank you for that.
You and Elizabeth have been and inspiration to us all. Even in the face of cancer, you fought on and didn't let it slow either of you down. Your bond is palpable and in these times of cynical, often gleeful press coverage of failed marriages and broken homes, your commitment to each other has never failed to impress us. Thank you for that.
We will miss you on the trail, but know you will still be around doing good work on all our behalf.
So finally, and again simply, thank you John.