Edwards’s new moral standard

The United States’s ability to fight global poverty was discussed by former Senator John Edwards (D-N.C.) at a conference held by the Center for U.S. Global Engagement. Edwards said that ending poverty is a non-partisan issue that must be seriously considered and that it is the responsibility of the next president to show Americans that their future is directly linked to the lives of people at home and abroad.

Edwards emphasized the need to improve educational standards in the developing world. He said that failed states, civil wars, and poverty cause developing countries to cut educational programs, allowing terrorism to thrive. He continued, saying children are indoctrinated to hate since the only educational options left for them are religious schools run by fundamentalists. Edwards also said the United States must fight disease by supporting preventative healthcare and work to end hunger, stating that 12 million American children went hungry in 2007.

Edwards rallied those in attendance by saying that the American Dream is supposed to be attainable for all and that Americans should not have to rely on organizations to assist them in a land of opportunity. He said Americans are ready to embrace a new moral standard, endorsing democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama as the candidate that can realize these goals.