Dems call for justice
Amanda McClure - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 1
DES MOINES - Community members from across the country got the chance on Dec. 1 to speak their minds on such pressing issues as factory farms, immigration, and health care at the Heartland Presidential Forum.
The forum, sponsored by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Campaign for Community Values, took place in the midst of a blizzard in Des Moines at Hy-Vee Hall.
Five of the Democratic presidential-nomination candidates reacted to real-life tales of social injustice as residents from 33 states described their stories to the candidates.
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards came out strong against the power of large national corporations, contending that the United States needs a president who will stand up to big corporations and that it's time for the citizens to take back their rights.
"Powerful interest groups have built a wall around Washington, and most of America is left out of it," he said. "I've spent 20 years fighting these people. I beat them then, and I'll beat them again."
Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich declared the need for universal human civil rights. Kucinich said that NAFTA should be withdrawn and that worker's rights should be the main concern of every U.S. trade agreement.
"It is essential that we respect the human rights of all," he said. "No human being is illegal."
As a woman described her family torn apart by immigration laws, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York responded by telephone, saying that immigration reform is a top priority.
"It's up to Congress to pass immigration reform," said the senator, who couldn't get to town because of the weather. "As president I will do as much as possible."
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd's stance was well-received by audience members - he promised a path to legalization within his first 100 days.
"Rhetoric is cheap. We need to keep families together," he said. "I will make this a priority. We've acted out of fear and hate; it's going to take leadership to bring this together."
Diedra Lewis of Massachusetts addressed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama about his health-care plan. Lewis' daughter Alexsiana is faced with a disease that could blind her, and Lewis has lost her heath insurance.
"Can you look into Alexsiana's eyes and tell me all God's children don't deserve medical care," Lewis asked.
Obama responded with a personal account of his mother's death and the insurance crisis that she faced.
"If I were designing a system from scratch, it would be more universal," he said. "But I want to make sure that everyone has coverage as soon as possible."
He also commented on the tax system, saying, "It ain't right.
"We have to restore fairness in our tax system: tax relief to people who need it, such as homeowners and senior citizens," he said.
His tax plan would exempt senior citizens who make under $50,000 a year from paying taxes, he said.
E-mail DI reporter Amanda McClure at:
amanda-mcclure@uiowa.edu
The forum, sponsored by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Campaign for Community Values, took place in the midst of a blizzard in Des Moines at Hy-Vee Hall.
Five of the Democratic presidential-nomination candidates reacted to real-life tales of social injustice as residents from 33 states described their stories to the candidates.
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards came out strong against the power of large national corporations, contending that the United States needs a president who will stand up to big corporations and that it's time for the citizens to take back their rights.
"Powerful interest groups have built a wall around Washington, and most of America is left out of it," he said. "I've spent 20 years fighting these people. I beat them then, and I'll beat them again."
Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich declared the need for universal human civil rights. Kucinich said that NAFTA should be withdrawn and that worker's rights should be the main concern of every U.S. trade agreement.
"It is essential that we respect the human rights of all," he said. "No human being is illegal."
As a woman described her family torn apart by immigration laws, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York responded by telephone, saying that immigration reform is a top priority.
"It's up to Congress to pass immigration reform," said the senator, who couldn't get to town because of the weather. "As president I will do as much as possible."
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd's stance was well-received by audience members - he promised a path to legalization within his first 100 days.
"Rhetoric is cheap. We need to keep families together," he said. "I will make this a priority. We've acted out of fear and hate; it's going to take leadership to bring this together."
Diedra Lewis of Massachusetts addressed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama about his health-care plan. Lewis' daughter Alexsiana is faced with a disease that could blind her, and Lewis has lost her heath insurance.
"Can you look into Alexsiana's eyes and tell me all God's children don't deserve medical care," Lewis asked.
Obama responded with a personal account of his mother's death and the insurance crisis that she faced.
"If I were designing a system from scratch, it would be more universal," he said. "But I want to make sure that everyone has coverage as soon as possible."
He also commented on the tax system, saying, "It ain't right.
"We have to restore fairness in our tax system: tax relief to people who need it, such as homeowners and senior citizens," he said.
His tax plan would exempt senior citizens who make under $50,000 a year from paying taxes, he said.
E-mail DI reporter Amanda McClure at:
amanda-mcclure@uiowa.edu
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