CNN/AP: Edwards calls for new Cabinet post to fight poverty

[DeepModem Mom]

Thursday, March 15, 2007
Edwards calls for new Cabinet post to fight poverty


Edwards said poverty is a national security issue.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Thursday outlined his plan to tackle global poverty that calls for educating 23 million children in poor countries and creating a Cabinet-level position to oversee other initiatives.

Seeking to link poverty in other countries to U.S. 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.

"When you understand that, it suddenly becomes clear: global poverty is not just a moral issue for the United States -- it is a national security issue for the United States," he said at Saint Anselm College.

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

Edwards called for spending $3 billion a year to extend primary education to millions of children in developing countries. Combating terrorism should begin in classrooms, not battlefields, he said.

His plan also includes $600 million a year for health care initiatives, including a worldwide summit on clean drinking water and sanitation and a six-fold increase in funding for clean water programs.

Getting to the root of global poverty will require increasing both political and economic opportunities for the poor, he said, at a cost of about $1.4 billion. And it will require one person to oversee those efforts, he said. Cabinet rank has been given to the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Management and Budget, the national drug czar and the U.S. trade representative.

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/03/edwards-calls-for-new-cabinet-post-to.html

[WindRavenX]

1. While I appreciate the move...

...it's not going to change anything with more cabinet posts. Congressional *action* gets the job done.

[w4rma]

7. A cabinet post gives a President more power over changing the situation without

having to battle Congress. Also, it puts more focus on the situation by having a whole team dedicated to the issue.

[Thothmes]

2. Cabinet Post

This may be an admirable goal, however, IMO that we should adequately educate the children in this country first. Something that the existing cabinet level organization seems to be incapable of.

[demnan]

3. It's a great idea

Edwards is right - poverty is the biggest concern in the world today and we have to do something about it. Terrorists are grown overseas by our horrible invasions and the lack of real opportunity, plus ignorance and schools that just teach violence. Glad he is thinking of things to do to help.

[Megahurtz]

4. "Global" Poverty???

What about Poverty right here in the U.S.??? :wtf:

Jeez. We all keep getting ignored. It never ends.

[MGKrebs]

5. Department of Prosperity?

Just tryin' to help.

[Sapere aude]

6. Just bring back the manufacturing sector and the jobs that went over seas.

My idea is that the federal government should compete with industries such as the energy sector and the auto industries to develop and market alternative energy and fuel efficient cars. Higher the unemployed and sell the products at affordable prices. Let the workers have ownership of the companies and eventually turn them over to the workers.

[TheConstantGardener]

8. Good idea, bad execution

Way too little money for this, and unfortunately from candidates funded by Corporate America that's exactly what you'd expect -- too little money and too much lip service for big ideas.