John Edwards: "There Are Two America's"

"Today, under George W. Bush, there are two Americas, not one: One America that does the work, another that reaps the reward. One America that pays the taxes, another America that gets the tax breaks. One America - middle-class America - whose needs Washington has long forgotten, another America - narrow-interest America - whose every wish is Washington's command. One America that is struggling to get by, another America that can buy anything it wants, even a Congress and a president."

What a great speech! What soaring rhetoric! When John Edwards made this speech, back in 2004, we in North Carolina were laughing our asses off. We saw the fraud, which Mr. Edwards turned out to be, early on when he didn't even show up to vote in the Senate. While the rest of America was urging him forward, we were looking to get back Lauch Faircloth. At least we knew the ineffective leader which we had. Compared to the brazen, and unqualified Mr. Edward's, Senator Faircloth was an "honest" crook.

But the two America's Mr. Edwards lamented so loudly, is serving him well. Reportedly, the deal he was offered was a Misdemeanor, with the possibilty of maybe 6 months jail time for stealing $950,000, give or take a bit. Actually, that's the part of America most of us would like to live in. No restitution of the money required. It was a good deal for a bad man. He should have taken it. But he wanted a halfway house, or weekend release to be with the family he destroyed. He also wanted to be our President.

The culture of two America's does exist. Just look at Lindsay Lohan, who just traded a $3,200 necklace for an ankle bracelet and 35 days under house arrest in her mansion.Not a bad deal. You, or I, would go to jail and be forced to make restitution.

How about Kyle Busch, clocked at 128 miles an hour, driving his Lexus, in a school zone, which is a felony and an arrestable offense. Penalty? Improper equipment and a small fine. You, or I, would have gone immediately to jail, and would have had to post bond. We would have lost our license to drive.

But John wouldn't take the deal. He has, instead, circled the legal wagons of that other America, marshalling behind him all the forces that his money can buy, in an effort to defeat the charges of violating the Campaign Finance Laws that governed the use of his campaign contributions. He will attempt to prove, through a very small loophole, that he is innocent of the charges against him. The Prosecution will, no doubt, argue "intent", rather than the "letter" of the law. You, and I, would have to make do with a Public Defender.

So, yes, there are two America's; and John Edwards is about to join that half to which he truly belongs.