September 1, 2004

Edwards blasts Bush on health insurance

By Rick Steelhammer
Staff writer

BECKLEY — Since wresting control of the Oval Office from the Democrats four years ago, George W. Bush “has led us from the edge of greatness off the edge of a cliff,” vice presidential candidate John Edwards told a cheering crowd in Beckley’s courthouse square Tuesday.

During Bush’s tenure, Edwards said, the average West Virginia family’s health insurance premium has increased by $2,806, while the number of families without any medical insurance has risen to 46,000.

“Under his leadership, West Virginia has lost 11,000 manufacturing jobs and 2,000 mining jobs,” said the Democratic senator from North Carolina. “Nationally, 4 million more people are living in poverty and almost 5 million people have lost their jobs. ... The reason he’s not talking about what he’s done for the country is that there’s nothing to say.”

Edwards arrived in Beckley on Monday afternoon and visited with tourists and artisans at Tamarack during a spur-of-the-moment appearance at the craft center Monday evening. Just before Tuesday’s rally in Beckley, Edwards discussed health insurance woes with Dickie and Sue Todd in nearby Piney View, in a media-monitored front-porch session.

Todd, a retired miner, lost his health-care benefits when his former employer, Horizon Natural Resources, filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year and was released from health-care commitments to United Mine Workers retirees.

The plight of the Todds is an example of “the two different Americas that we’ve come to know under Bush,” Edwards said.

“There’s one America for those who have already realized the American dream and are set for life, and there’s another one for everyone else,” Edwards said.

“Last night at the Republican National Convention in New York City, they were making fun of the ‘two Americas,’ but you know it’s true because it’s the America you live in,” he said.

“We shouldn’t have two different health-care systems, two different school systems and two different economies — one for the affluent and the other for everybody else,” Edwards said. “But folks who are living from paycheck to paycheck can’t save. It takes all they make just to pay the bills. All of you know families that are being squeezed like that and are struggling just to get by.”

Edwards said he and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry would push for legislation that would set up a fund through which the federal government would help cover catastrophic health-care costs, reducing premiums for policyholders.

Workers who lose their jobs to foreign trade would be able to buy into the same health plan now available to members of Congress through a fund created through a 95 percent-refundable, advanceable tax credit under a Kerry-Edwards plan, he said.

“We will get rid of tax cuts to companies who take their jobs overseas,” he added.

A Kerry-Edwards administration would “have other countries involved in the reconstruction of Iraq — not just Halliburton,” Edwards said, referring to the company formerly run by Vice President Dick Cheney. “We will build strong alliances that will allow us to hunt these terrorists down, and secure the loose nuclear weapons from the former Soviet Union.”

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., introduced Edwards. “Kerry and Edwards will rebuild Beckley, not Baghdad,” he said.

“Cheney and Bush got us into a war of choice, not necessity,” Rahall said. “It’s hurt our credibility all over the world.”

“The Bush-Cheney team could have tried to understand how tough it is out here and done something to help workers,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, who accompanied Edwards on his Raleigh County tour.

“Instead, they chose to help Halliburton, Enron and the very rich. West Virginia deserves better.”

“The average working person and retired person is really having a hard time,” said Bill Bryant of Lewisburg, a retired teacher who traveled to Beckley to show his support for the Kerry-Edwards ticket.

“Costs keep going up, but salaries and pensions aren’t keeping pace. I think Kerry and Edwards are more likely to do something to help.”

Bryant added that he was strongly against the war in Iraq, which, instead of reducing the threat of terrorism, has “made things worse.”

A small group of Bush supporters gathered on a street corner a block away, where they held signs, encouraged passing drivers to honk, and chanted, “Four more years.”

After his speech, Edwards doffed his blue blazer and moved into the crowd of supporters, shaking hands and autographing guest passes.

Among babies he kissed during the flesh-pressing session was 3-year-old Elizabeth Rahall, whose father is a cousin of the congressman.

“It was great to be able to see John Edwards here in Beckley,” said Mary Rahall, the toddler’s mother. “I’m sick of the war and a big supporter of Kerry and Edwards.”

Campaign button vendor Tim Smith of St. Louis, wielding a digital camera, got close enough to Edwards to take a photo of himself with the North Carolina senator.

“I think he’s the next John F. Kennedy,” said Smith, 23, who travels from rally to rally, selling buttons representing both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. “I think he’s going to be president someday.”

Gov. Bob Wise told those attending the rally that Edwards’ blue-collar roots would strike a chord with West Virginians concerned about health care, job losses and cutbacks in mine safety enforcement.

“Neither side’s won West Virginia yet,” he said after the rally. “It’s a far cry from this time four years ago, when Bush already had the state wrapped up. After the Republican candidates get their post-convention bump, Kerry and Edwards will be coming on strong. We’ll have to see what happens after Labor Day.”

Having the state host so many appearances by presidential and vice presidential candidates “is great for the state, but it makes it feel a little like Iowa during the primary,” he said.

“If you are a West Virginian and you haven’t met a presidential candidate, just set up a table on the street, and you probably won’t have to wait long to meet one.”

To contact staff writer Rick Steelhammer, use e-mail or call 348-5169.