Edwards fashions package of economic proposals

[Freddie Stubbs]

DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. John Edwards called for a $5,000 American dream tax credit for first-time homebuyers, along with new tax breaks for businesses that keep operations in this country.

Edwards, D-N.C., opened a nine-city tour Saturday by pushing a series of economic proposals largely focused on revitalizing rural and small-town economies.

"It's an effort to talk about the group of ideas I've been promoting," Edwards said in a telephone interview. "It's an important values issue for me, and I think it's where most of America is coming from."

Edwards was opening his tour with stops in Council Bluffs and Winterset, Iowa.

more: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/6292853.htm

[chimpymustgo]

1. Excellent proposals from Edwards.

Here's more from the article:

Stressing his small-town roots, Edwards said he can connect to rural voters who play a key role in early campaign tests, such as Iowa's leadoff precinct caucuses.

"Growing up in Robbins, North Carolina, I learned the same values that Iowans have on Main Streets across this state: hard work, opportunity and community," he said.

-snip-

"I have spent my entire life working for the interests of regular people, and I look forward to a debate on these values with this president," he said.

Proposals Edwards is pushing during his latest swing include:

• A tax credit for first-time homebuyers, along with a 10 percent tax cut for companies that don't move operations overseas.

• A $50 billion package of assistance to cash-strapped states that are struggling to cover budget shortfalls.

• Spending $1 billion for a rural development effort coupled with rural revitalization zones offering incentives for development.

• Creating matching tax credits for middle-income taxpayers who are saving for retirement.

Edwards says he's been the most active of the Democratic candidates in pushing ideas to develop rural America and that he's in a position to challenge Bush's tax and budget proposals.

"This president says he wants a debate about values, and I think we ought to give him that debate," he said.