John Edwards' Big Ideas Costly (over $1 trillion)

The Guardian (Associated Press) ^ | May 11, 2007 | Nedra Pickler (AP writer)

[keepitreal]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Presidential candidate John Edwards is offering more policy proposals than any other candidate in the primary and his ideas are winning loud applause from Democratic audiences.

The question is whether other voters will cheer when they see the price tag - more than $125 billion a year.

Edwards is quick to acknowledge his spending on health care, energy and poverty reduction comes at a cost, with more plans to come. On Friday, he proposed an $8 billion college scholarship program, an outgrowth of his ``College for Everyone'' idea in 2005.

All told, Edwards' proposals would equal more than $1 trillion if he could get them enacted into law and operational during two White House terms.

To put the number in perspective, President Bush has dedicated more than $1.8 trillion to tax cuts. The cost of the Iraq war is nearing $450 billion. And this year's federal budget is about $2.8 trillion.

[keepitreal]

Read the whole article. The numbers are staggering.

[nctexan]

Yea... but that’s chump change if it’s other people’s money.

[Dilbert San Diego]

What’s a few trillion among friends?

John Edwards is liberal, and liberals have their heart in the right place. We can’t ask them tough questions about how to pay for programs because we’re supposed to be liberal and celebrate diversity and be tolerant and brush our hair and whatever else he does.

Did John Edwards ever pledge to buy carbon credits to help compensate for his energy use at his mansion?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

John Edwards is not going to be elected president of anything.

[unkus]

I wouldn’t even hire him to clean up after the dog I don’t have.

[newgeezer]

The question is whether other voters will cheer when they see the price tag - more than $125 billion a year.

No, the question is whether the RATS have attained their goal of marginalizing actual taxpayers into a powerless minority.

[keepitreal]

But his pushing the envelope on giveaways makes it easier for others to advocate to a willing public milder versions of freebies paid for by that mysterious person “the other guy”.

[alecqss]

Senator must be feeling down lately... only one trillion? Over several years?

[GitmoSailor]

Two White House terms????....

[george76]

Liberal charitable acts consist of stealing conservatives’ tax dollars and spending the money on liberal causes.

[Rick_Michael]

With or without Edwards...things need to change. Entitlements will destroy us if we don't change. Our military will be in peril, if 1)They nationalize medical care 2)We allow this entitlement thing perpetuate.
We must not let the dems rule. Our next leader must be a good one.