I especially appreciate Olbermann's observation that it took a Wall Street meltdown, or threat of one, to get the White House's attention, even though the average Joe and Jane continue to struggle to make ends meet, and more of them are slipping below the poverty line all the time. It's Edwards' Two Americas line of thinking revisited. One of the things I like best about Edwards is that he brings up poverty, homeless vets, the class war, corporate misuse of power, and other issues that other candidates and the media seem to be blind to.

Here's crossed fingers that Edwards finally gets some media attention, since that seems to be the only reason he's in third. While Obama and Clinton are bickering about personality, Edwards is still talking issues.

Ugh. one disgusting thing offtopic. The "ads by google" banner off to the right side now says "10 things america should know about Mitt romney" and links to DESERET BOOK! (owned by the LDS church). Come on! That alone should make them lose their Tax exempt status.

I wish hillary and obama could act a little more electable.. I mean, if I can't have kucinich, I'm going to have to have edwards. And for the magnolia electric co-- you're spot on about those google ads. I'm not sure what analytics they're using to figure out who goes to OGM and how to target them, but this is what I get: -10 things every American should know about Mitt Romney -How is Romney Doing in the Polls? Updated 2008 Presidential Polls. -The Romney Campaign: The New York Times reports on the former governor's presidential bid -Mitt Romney 08 Gear: Mitt Romney for President shirts, hats, buttons . . . more!

I, for one, would love to get some mitt boxershorts. Do they come in extra-special mormon style?

Well, you got me Norm. I'm switching from Obama to Edwards. I hope my $25 helps. Is is by far the better candidate.

Edwards has a pretty good point in general. Maybe the only thing that's different today about the Democratic party, compared to the 70s and 80s, is that today major Dem candidates are funded by corporate donors. We'll probably sadly find out this week that Democratic members of Congress listen to the "crazy left-wing bloggers" but take their marching orders from the telecoms, along with Citbank and Exxon-Mobil.

Hillary Clinton wants to bring up all this party unity stuff very prematurely, so that she can play racial politics and gender politics on her way to the nomination, then still get male and black votes in November. As usual, she claims entitlement to Democratic votes without having earn it or show that she deserves it.

Whew! That was one tough interview! He hid it well though. Never let 'em see you sweat, right John?

poverty rates

I think JoAnn and I covered this one before, but while poverty rates 12% poverty is not good, it's better than most of the 90's.

while poverty rates 12% poverty is not good, it's better than most of the 90's.

But the direction of change is important. As your linked data indicates, poverty rates steadily declined from 1993 to 2001, and actually rose after the 2001 recession.

I wish Keith would shut the fuck up about O'Reilly. Why does he give the man free advertising? I think just as many people are watching Bill O'Reilly now to see what fucked up thing he's going to say next as there are people who agree with him - maybe more. Isn't that now what Bill-O's celebrity is about anymore?

Edwards is great. I hope whoever makes it to the Whitehouse will still be talking about poverty in America. It's a disgrace. It's got to be made an issue. Maybe we should all write to Michael Moore to make his next film about poverty in America - the images he could find would horrify the average American.

Barleycorn:

I'm with you on the Bill O thing. I'd be happy if I never heard his name again. Ditto with Coulter. Limbaugh, Chris Matthews, and the other half-wits in the media.

Edwards is the only candidate speaking about what really needs to be done in America. Keep plugging away, Norm.