This is REALLY important and I don't know why there isn't an overwhelming groundswell of support for this idea.

I want Congress to have their healthcare yanked until everyone in American has the same option.

Yanked. Period.

Fuck the lot of them (sorry about the language, but this is SO important.)
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Check out the Face the Nation interview from a few weeks ago, where John Edwards explained the whole point of this threat.

The point is not to take health care away from Congress, so for people to focus on whether he would have the power to do it is stupid.

The point is to make a point to the American people so that they increase public pressure on Congress to pass universal health care, because he wants to force Congress to have to go home and explain why they are defending their health care and not passing it for the people who are paying for theirs through taxes.

Wow, I posted a "fantasy" along the same lines on my blog (MS Maze). Silly as it sounds, I can't help but wish that it comes true! Hadn't really considered John Edwards, but maybe I'll take another look. Perhaps a president can't pull this off, but at least we have someone bringing the issue front and center.

http://tinyurl.com/2fmhzr

John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden and Ron Paul are the only candidates seeking the nomination from their respective parties that offer anything other than the "same old, same old".

JOHN EDWARDS IN '08

Edwards/Kucinich 2007! Accept no substitutes.

Dateline Washington, DC, 2 February 2008: ' . . . This morning, President Edwards held talks with House and Senate leaders on setting the date for withdrawal of the first four brigades of troops from Iraq.  President Edwards will also authorize the issue of "Hero-Cards" for returning vets; as the G-I Bill of the 21st Century, for college tuition and expenses for all vets wanting the education.' --Sounds good, doesn't it !

I'm still waiting on the explanation of how Edwards plans on changing an existing law from the executive brach. The last time I checked, Congress and the court system were the only parties able to effect change on existing law.

That pesky thing called a Constitution, always getting in the way.

If you can't even get your facts right on the powers of the executive branch I sure as hell won't vote you in to it.

Very recent history shows us that much can be done thru signing statements that we never dream could be done. I'd not consider this an empty threat. Edwards is THE BEST democratic candidate.

John Edwards had a little town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire on Monday. He chastised Hillary's healthcare plan because, while she will mandate healthcare, there is no way to enforce it according to Edwards.

He says the only way to have "real universal healthcare" is to mandate it for every man, woman and child. How will he do that? Edwards says, "Every time you come into contact with the healthcare system or the government you will be signed up." All we need at this point was John Edwards using saying, with a thick German accent, "papers please!"

When asked what would happen if an individual decided they didn't want healthcare Edwards said, "You don't get that choice."

Edward's "you don't get that choice" statement reminds me of something. Have any of you heard John Edwards use the word "freedom" in a stump speech lately?

I agree, Edwards Rocks!

He was also the only candidate that went out to CA and spoke on behalf of the striking writers.

The man has a heart as big as Oklahoma!

Edwards in '08.

he rocks!

Edwards 08--the only one with the guts to threaten the powers-that-be who have allowed horrible things to be done in our names while we all fall behind.

as usual Edwards leads the way forward to new times-he understands that things have to change dramatically-small changes won't be enough to fix what's wrong here-He is the only candidate that gets my money and time-if he wasn't in the race it would be completely depressing-Hillary is placater-in-chief-and it isn't working-Edwards is right when he says that power will need to be WRENCHED away-it's the only way, even if they are kicking and screaming because America will cease to exist without BIG changes.

Edwards has a good argument: How can the congress persons pig out at the public trough using socialized services while little kids are sick and dying in the streets? The GOP would love to have Edwards because he has a clean cut image and is a family man with church attendance.

If Edwards wasn't a trial lawyer, helping victims of corporate greed - placing profits over safety every time - they would want him. The GOP phony tort reform agenda precludes that and so does Edward's values. This man cannot be bought.

Let me see Edwards as president is going to pull healthcare for Congress. What crap and how does he think he is going to do that? Oh that's right Congress is going to introduce a bill that says "we don't want our tax funded health care system anymore because John Edwards says we shouldn't have it." Got it. Oh and did Mr. Edwards accept tax supported health care while he was a senator in shining armor. This guy is nuts. He has a so called populist message that just doesn't ring true in today's world.

I support some form of universal health care for Americans but this is pure pandering and nothing else.