Letter: Edwards provides effective contrast to Cheney’s views

Thursday, July 15, 2004 | 8:42 a.m.

John Kerry's pick of John Edwards to be his vice presidential running mate may very well mark the end of the conservative revolution, which began when Vice President Dick Cheney was in the Reagan administration.

We have now had 20 years to see what this revolution brought us: higher deficits for our children and grandchildren, higher energy costs, a financial squeeze on working people, corporate greed and corruption and an unnecessary war. Those behind this conservative revolution haven't finished yet -- they would still like to dismantle Social Security and Medicare.

People are talking about Edwards and Cheney going toe to toe. Let's see how they compare:

Edwards has fought corporate special interests; Cheney has peddled corporate special interests. Edwards has used his skills to make corporations accountable; Cheney has used his influence to apologize for corporate misconduct. Edwards has fought to expose corporate misdeeds; Cheney has shrouded in secrecy the country's energy policy. Edwards has been a consumer advocate; Cheney has been a corporate advocate. Edwards represents the ordinary person; Cheney represents the wealthy elite.

Edwards believes there are two Americas -- the haves and the have-nots. Cheney also believes there are two Americas -- us and them.

BILL JACOBS