“The system there is broken, it’s rigged. Rigged against you, against ordinary Americans.”- Presidential candidate John Edwards

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards pledged to fight for America’s working class against the power elite in Washington during his visit to Milwaukee Sept. 10.

Speaking in front of an impassioned crowd of about 500 at Serb Hall on the South Side,

Edwards opened his speech by attacking what he referred to as the entrenched powerful interests in Washington. He accused them of acting against the interests of average Americans.

“The system there is broken, it’s rigged. Rigged against you, against ordinary Americans,” said Edwards, who ran for Vice President with John Kerry in an unsuccessful 2004 campaign.

Edwards labeled America’s health care system “dysfunctional,” and advocated implementing a universal health care program.

“There is only one answer; true mandated universal health care for every man, woman, and child,” said Edwards.

He acknowledged that the plan will not be cheap, and proposed to finance his 90 to 120 billion per year health care plan by getting rid of tax cuts for those in the $200,000+ income bracket.

Edwards was also outspoken on the environmental issues facing this country, referring to global warming as “an enormous crisis” and calling for a cap on carbon emissions.

He pushed spending more money on developing solar power capabilities and spoke out against building any new nuclear power plants.

“It is time that all of us sacrifice; if we love this country we have to conserve,” said Edwards.

The Democratic hopeful saved his harshest criticism for the Bush administration and its role in America’s diminished reputation around the globe. “I don’t think George Bush has damaged our reputation in the world. I think he has destroyed it,” said Edwards. Following a recent report from U.S. Gen. David Petraeus that the recent Iraq troop surge had experienced success at some level, Edwards reiterated his desire to withdraw. “It’s time that Congress does what the American people put them in charge to do, and that is to put an end to this war in Iraq; they should not submit a single funding bill without a timetable for withdrawal attached,” Edwards said.

After a short break to spend time with his family in North Carolina, Edwards is already back on the campaign trail.

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