Polls are indicating otherwise, but you're point is a good one (and a devastating one for Edwards). He is the only candidate pushing the injustice of the massive gap between the haves and have nots, however. There was a time when social justice was a central value of Democrats and pragmatic Republicans. No more. Ridiculous salaries and compensation packages for even incompetent CEOs are reported with only the slightest irony. Universal healthcare is not embraced as a human right, but disparaged as a symptom of socialism. Even if Edwards were to win the nomination, these issues would be blunted to make them more palatable. And then there is the racism and sexism that you raise. This would haunt any victory he might achieve.

I think Edwards would consider people in the middle class to be 'haves'. Which is not a fair categorization because the middle class is already overtaxed. Policymakers have to be careful to avoid a meltdown in the economy (and of U.S. stocks). Thus, there is a fine balance between helping businesses and helping taxpayers. I also do not think Edwards is being sincere about his helping the have-nots. I think he is using that to get elected by people who are uninformed. (but you are right about the increasing gap between haves and have-nots... my salary increases are constant, but prices for everything have gone up considerably.)

I think universal healthcare is something to pursue, but carefully. I don't want to wait 30 days to get an appointment with a doctor. My employer pays for most of my health insurance and it very good insurance, so I have a lot to lose if our healthcare burden is shifted to the taxpayer. If people had the insurance that I have, people would be going to the doctor 8 times a day and getting 50 prescriptions a month. The reason why it isn't abused by my coworkers is because the company pays for it, so if we abuse it, it hurts profitability (and our profit-based payouts) and also raises premiums. I don't see any ordinary citizen having an ounce of respect for that system if operated by the government. Nobody has any faith in the US govt's fiscal management skills.

However, if I were pro-employer all the way, I'd choose Giuliani as my candidate since he has no energy policy. However, despite that I benefit financially from fossil fuel usage, I think that consumption efforts are badly needed, and the govt will have to mandate such things, since as increasing CAFE standards over the next several years. Obama has a good idea about using carbon taxes to fund an R&D program for renewable energy.

It looks like all the Democrats and McCain over on the Republican side, have energy policies that are fairly similar because they couple global warming with energy efficiency, decreased carbon footprints, and R&D for renewable energy sources. No doubt, Edwards is another wealthy guy with a skewed sense of the income of the lower and middle classes. But his program for taxing the highest tier promise to offer tax relief to the middle class.

Giuliani is the surprise of the election so far. I really thought he'd have self-destructed by now. There's still time, but I'm stunned by the legs his campaign has despite the deep flaws of the candidate. Every time I think I understand something about American politics, I leave the Northeast to travel a bit. There I learn how weird the Northeast is in relation to the South, Midwest, and West.

A national health care system would not work in the US. What would work is a parallel or hybrid system of public baseline care and a private system with perks for those who can afford it. The French and Swiss models work like this, and people seem genuinely happy with it. Once again, various versions of healthcare reform are proposed by almost all the candidates.

Edwards' proposed energy policy is the most extreme of all proposals. I think if it were enacted, the economy would crash. Ecologically sound energy usage has to be phased in gradually in order to avoid a price shock and a subsequent melting down of the economy. His CAFE standards proposal is overly ambitious and doesn't give enough time for car manufacturers to produce cars that meet the standards.

Maybe the heavy testosterone types are voting for Giulani. I don't see how he can carry 9/11 all the way to the White House.

Talking with you makes me realize that I am undecided about the upcoming race. Neither party nor any candidate really represents my opinions. Energy and environmental policy is a central concern, as are health care and educational programs. A candidate might have the correct platform, but I know that their plans will be modified by political realities. Because of this, I tend to vote against candidates rather than for one. The religious right is worthy of wrath. If your religious beliefs are so strong that you cannot see the validity of evolutionary theory, then you certainly cannot govern. If you are willing to entertain the possibility of torture passing legal muster, then you probably should not be allowed to reproduce much less run for public office. It will be a struggle to find our way in this election year, but there are big questions that can serve as good guides.