Edwards Introduces Bold Proposals For Restoring Corporate Responsibility

Des Moines, Iowa – Today, as part of his national seven-day "Stand Strong" campaign, Senator John Edwards outlined a bold plan to stand up for hard-working families by restoring corporate responsibility and helping families achieve financial security in the new economy. Over the course of the 20th century, America built the strongest middle class in history due to a basic bargain among government, businesses and families, but today, big corporate interests and Washington insiders have put narrow interests ahead of the middle class. During a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, Edwards called for a renewal of the social compact between business, government and families.

"In America, we have a grand social compact – anyone who is willing to work hard and do the right thing should have the opportunity to share in our nation's prosperity," said Edwards. "But our social compact is falling apart. The statistics say our economy is growing, but the truth is, it's only growing at the top. While corporate profits climb and the wealth of the very wealthiest grows, instead of protecting the compact of equal opportunity and shared prosperity, Washington protects corporate profits and hoards prosperity.

"We don't need any more empty promises. We need to restore one promise – the promise of America, the social compact that built the greatest economy in the world. It takes strength to say 'no' to the lobbyists and special interests – but I will never compromise my principles for the sake of politics. I believe if we stand together we can change this country and restore the social compact, moving us ever closer to the America of our ideals."

The challenge of building a strong, larger, more secure middle class is at the heart of Edwards' campaign to build One America. He has laid out an ambitious agenda to guarantee universal health care, invest in future prosperity through education and energy innovation, reform tax laws to reward work, and establish smarter trade policies. Today, he announced new efforts to renew the social compact between business, government, and families by:

• Modernizing the social contract with universal health care and retirement savings accounts that follow workers from job to job.
• Holding corporations accountable for serving the interests of workers and customers, not just corporate insiders, with stronger corporate responsibility law and consumer protections.

During the week-long "Stand Strong" campaign, Edwards has been traveling across Iowa and New Hampshire to highlight his bold and detailed proposals for health care reform, smart and safe trade policies, ending the war in Iraq and restoring America's moral authority in the world. Edwards grew up in small, rural towns and is running for president to represent hard-working families, like the ones he grew up with.

"Real strength comes from standing up for the millions of American families who don't have a voice," said Edwards. "We need a leader in the White House who has the strength and courage to stand up and fight for regular Americans rather than someone who defends the lobbyists that are destroying the better America we all believe in."

Further details of Edwards' plan for "Restoring Corporate Responsibility and Rebuilding the Middle Class" are included in the fact sheet.