If this man’s genuine passion and anguish doesn’t move you, you’re not human. Steve Skvara, a disabled, retired steel worker from Indiana tells the story of how he lost his family’s health insurance after the company he worked for, for 34 years closed two years after they forced him to retire. Skvara received a standing ovation, and rightfully so. He represents millions of hard working Americans who have lost their jobs and benefits and face the humiliation of not being able to provide for themselves or their families. Can you imagine a Republican fielding a question like this?
Download | Play 
Download | Play
The question was directed toward John Edwards and his answer was passionate and on the money. Edwards vowed to stand up with the American people, calling for Universal health care for all.
Filed Under: Campaigns/Elections, Debates, Democratic Party, Election 08
6 Trackbacks To “AFL-CIO Presidential Forum: Emotional Question From Audience Member On Health Care“
that guy was really moving. and edwards answered his question very well.
much better then when biden blew off the sago mine widow. that was pathetic.
Yeah as I said in the other thread I was heart broken for him and his family. He’s worked hard all his life and he deserves better than what this country has given to him.
I think it’s safe to say that had this been a GOP debate he would have been arrested before he was allowed to speak.
Chris from Maine @ 1:
Good call. Biden was a real asshole on that one.
That’s it! I’m supporting Edwards.
[deleted - You’re nuts if you think we’re going to let that stand.]
Biden disgusted me with his flippant attitude towards the Sago mine widow. He can say goodbye to any thin chance he had of getting the nomination after tonight.
This is George W. Bush’s Amerika. Live with it or do something about it. Maybe support someone who’s bound and determined to change things.
Instead of the same old bullshit or….
Joey the Liarmann’s ‘boy’.
Terrible @ 3:
I think the Republicans should be forced to answer his question, whether live or taped, in their next debate. If they refuse, GE should refuse to air their debate.
[refers to deleted post]
Most people want some form of universal health care. Insurance backed, for profit healthcare is not the way to go.
Good for you for saving money. Lots of people can’t.
NO UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE -
ABOLISH THE FEDERAL RESERVE
BRING ALL AMERICAN COMPANIES AND JOBS BACK HOME
BRING BACK THE REAL FREE AMERICA
There wouldn’t be a “Healthcare crisis” if we had REAL CURRENCY And GOOD ECONOMIC POLICY.
[Jeremy is posting from a pharmaceutical company]
Edwards had a great opportunity presented to him here, gave the man a decent response then switched to praising himself (for his, Edward’s, support of unions). This was a moving moment, one that ALL politicians, right and left should open their eyes to. But Edwards only barely respected this man then went on to “look at me”.
Jeremy @ 11:
Yes there would be a crisis as long as the insurance and big pharma are in the mix.
[Jeremy is posting from a pharmaceutical company]
This is heartbreaking. Again though, it’s important to realize that Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate actually willing to give not-for-profit Universal Healthcare to the American people. Every other candidate says they’re for Universal Healthcare, but none are willing to cut out the middleman other than Dennis. I agree Mr. Edwards. Talk is cheap. Please endorse HR 676 if you’re serious about Universal Healthcare.
Jo @ 13:
Have fun dying while you wait for a transplant or surgery from a government hospital.
America is about freedom. True freedom is not letting the federal government decide for you what your health care choices should be.
By that logic, why don’t we also set up some forced labor brigades and compulsory national service?
A Big government that gives you EVERYTHING and all the welfare you need CAN ALSO TAKE IT AWAY.
[Jeremy is posting from a pharmaceutical company]
[deleted - refers to deleted post]
“Can you imagine a Republican fielding a question like this?”
Why, yes. I’ve heard more than one of them say that all we need to do is discontinue our cable tv and sell the big screen. Problem solved.
The republican mindset is psychopathological.
guys like mitt romney profit from cutting the benefits of workers like this gentleman.
Edwards just got my vote. Finally, someone I can support!
I agree Edwards only hit a ground-ruled double with this. What a shame. He could and SHOULD have done better… Hillary is the only candidate who has actually ever even tried to do something about this issue… Sorry John, you should of knocked it out of the park… another lost opportunity…
Jeremy @ 17:
Go see the film Sicko by Michael Moore and then come back and debate sense.
[Jeremy is posting from a pharmaceutical company]
maybe its just me,, or maybe not. But back in the early 80s before power switched from carter to reagan, the health care in the states was good. i am from the northeast ny area, upstate.
since reagan took office it seemed to be ok, then came GEORGE BUSH THE FIRST! and since then,, health care slid into a sink hole. there was no way or where to get out of debt unless one delcared bankruptcy. Now , thanks to his son, thats impossible today unless you have a good lawyer.
Do not ppl see a trend here? every time the repigs come into power, they are not working for the ppl but are working the ppl to work for them.
taxes,, disasters, disease, old, young, health care, its all not on the current adgenda anymore for the repigs and for some that includes the dems!
with a hike in insurance rates in the states,, id like to ask the canidates,,just what the hell are you prepared to do to make sure the folks are coverd? no dont give me a blahhhhhhh,, but what are you prepared to do?
take a cut to your own health care? take a cut in pay? take a cut in the many lunches that are paid by the tax payers?
just tell me , where are you going to cut back your spending , so the ppl who voted for you can get out from under?
betcha,, only dennis would have a answer for that one.
Manila Ryce @ 15:
Edwards has said from the very beginning that he would offer a “single payer” opition as part of his plan. Having said that, I do respect Kucinich for HR 676.
Jo @ 23:
Why do people avoid realizing that free-market is not the answer to everything. Free market is wonderful in many, many, many ways, but it is also what led to that man working his ass off for 34 years, and getting screwed .
It is as simple as this, you have to protect your citizens first, and your corporations second. This argument that if we regulate anything we are reverting to communism, is false. Would you let someone get away with shooting a man because you do not want the gunmans rights infringed upon??? What then, the difference between that , and the long death? The one where the victim makes the gun, loads the bullet, and presents it to his employer??
[Jeremy is posting from a pharmaceutical company]
HAVE PITY FOR THOSE OF US ON DIAL-UP!!!!!! Provide a quote or transcript or something!
Has anyone noticed that Fox News is advertising more on MSNBC lately? They must really be afraid since MSNBC has overtaken CNN and the average age of falafel factor’s audience is 800.
Republican Answer: Get a shovel ,if you can afford one and start digging. Sooner or later you will be in China where the jobs are!
Edwards did go off on the Union rant. However his point was right on. That is one of the things that destroyed the unions was barganing for health care. If you had Universal Health Care System, that would save the company alot more money and give the Union more barganing power.
The point i think he is making here is they go hand in hand. Health care expense is one of the biggest reasons the Corporations have been trying and succeeding in busting Unions. Not he only reason but one of them.
I am not sure that I trust him 100% but Edwards says exactly what I want him to say(except on gay marriage) and the rest of the pack don’t have the campaign that’s centered on the essential issue in America: The growing difficulty to make things work economically. Edwards is the guy and without the phony haircut nonsense, he’d be the top candidate in Iowa and New Hampshire.
I listened to Newt on Minnesota Public Radio today at lunch. He was talking about the Presidential Primary process. He gave some ridiculous answers(his solution: let anyone pay any candidate as much as he wanted!)(He called McCain-Feingold a censorship law)but he did say that he felt that the average voter doesn’t pay any attention to the nonsense of the election until much later in the process. His example was with Howard Dean and Iowa. I have no idea if he was accurate, but the average Iowa voter needs to hear speeches like that from Edwards before he/she makes up their mind.
Thanks, Logan Murphy and thank you John Amato for this video. This man’s tearful, heartfelt plea moved me to tears. This is the kind of America these heartless bastard Republicans have created. I hope that in the near future, the Republican party will be lost in the wilderness for many years.
I was listening to the debate on the radio.
Biden totally ignoring the widows question was quite noticeable and I think will turn out to be a major blunder for his campaign. In fact, there seemed to be a lot of anger in every answer he gave. I didn’t quite understand that………it’s almost as if he viewed this as a last ditch effort to save his campaign and he was going to get his point across come hell or high water.
Obama came across well, as did Edwards. Hillary is too cautious when answering questions, which I assume is intentional in that she doesn’t want to screw up and say something stupid.
Edwards seems genuine, and might be our best bet at this time.
this guy almost brought tears to my eyes……Edwards did very well with this one…
Gravel was right when he said what we hear from these candidates, is what we heard four years ago, and eight years ago, and twelve years ago. And what we’ll hear four years from now, eight years from now, and forever.
As much as Edwards and Obama, Hill and the rest talk a very nice talk, there isn’t a cell in my body that believes any of them. And for very good reason.
This may have been the pivotal debate in modern US history.
There is no possible way any of the right-wing presidential wanna bes could ever come off as giving a damn about the average American after this.
This debate was the first debate for the general election next year; everyone contending for the republic nomination is wasting their time, they don’t stand a chance against any of the American candidates.
Edwards’ response was typical politico-speak.
His applause seemed disingenuous and forced, not moved by genuine emotion.
His saying “Bless you”, is empty and meaningless and overly pandering to religious Americans.
He praised himself and presented only sweeping generalities, AND he still won’t commit to immediate Iraq withdrawal.
The only Dems who truly care about average citizens are Kucinich and Gravel, but I’VE HAD IT with the namby-pamby, wishy-washy, sniveling, four-flushing Democrats.
[Deleted. This is not a Ron Paul thread]
Mike @ 31:
Watching KO and the AFL/CIO debate alone at home - I too gave this man a standing ovation. His plight and passion were obvious to anybody listening.
I also find myself as concerned about the early primary process as KO is. We don’t need perpetual politics and campaigning - we need permanent answers…and Universal not-for-profit Healcare is just a start.
edwards earned my respect with that answer. i don’t see a problem with him stating his record, only because it’s a reflection of what he wants to do for people. actions speak louder than words in otherwords. i hope he wins the nomination.
Edwards is the real deal and he should be the next President of the United States.
He scares the shit out of the gop because he’s a southern man who has the backs of the middle class. He’s lived through tragedy and he’s driven to make America better for the people who have been getting less and less.
Obama and Clinton can not get enough votes from Americans because we’ve been polarized by race, religion, and gender.
President Edwards…Sounds good to me.
BoilThemInTheirOil @ 12:
My thoughts also.
dan @ 35:
I want to agree with you; but do not underestimate the power of fear. Republicans are masters at scaring the public into voting for them. Plus they have proven that they will say and do anything to retain power. Democrats MUST stay on the offensive.
JR @ 32:
He’ll say anything to get your vote, just like 99.99% of politicians.
His congressional record, which is what matters, is not distinguished.
HE VOTED FOR BUSH’S WAR and won’t commit to withdrawal!
That was a moving exchange.Being a member of IBEW local 520,the future of union viability concerns me.Edwards response may have been “look at me!” but it boils down to his support of labor unions and he should toot his own horn about that.Good on him.And good on him for his including the money grubbing CEOs in any change regarding pensions and benefits.
He scored major points with me tonight…even with that poofty high dollar hair cut :) .HA!
33 years of work..forced into retirement…..just to get screwed by his employers.Meanwhile the CEO gets his golden parachute and laughs all the way to the bank……sad
I agree. Free market doesn’t work for necessities, like health care.
I find it odd that people who don’t want universal health care have no problem with universal police protection and universal fire protection. Why should I pay because my neighbor didn’t take care of his health better? Well, why should I pay because my neighbor burned his house down? Because it’s in the best interest of the community to take care of each other. That’s why. Sure, my neighbor could have taken better care of himself, but instead of just saying “oh well, tough shit pops”, fix him up so he can return to his job at the fire department to go put your house out when it catches on fire!