Every cloud has one, and the UNC Center for Poverty, Work, and Opportunity, which “has served as a vehicle for former Democratic Senator John Edwards to talk about the issue that has become a centerpiece in his quest for the White House” certainly has been silver?but not for the poor, the out-of-work, or for any low-skilled, entry level, or otherwise disadvantaged individual looking for opportunity.

It is very fortunate, even necessary, in fact, that poor and unemployed people exist in our society. They make it possble for upwardly-aspiring politicians like Edwards to make them his ‘vehicle’ on the road to to Pennsylvania Avenue. In ancient times, Edwards could have generated employment for some of the poor, and still gotten to Pennsylvania Avenue. I think the job category would be “manual laborer/pallet-bearer,” or similar.

Instead of doing anything with or for the actual poor, the UNC-CH Poverty Center and Edwards are “discussing,” “buttressing [Edwards’] credentials,” and drawing major speakers and big donors” to the Center. In other words, employees, cronies and elite friends of the center are holding tea parties and congratulating themselves on how virtuous they are.

This is becoming a well-worn track for Edwards. Never one to let (others’) misfortune hold him back, Edwards “made poverty the cornerstone of his 2004 presidential run,” and has used the resources of the Center to hold “a dozen panels, forums and other center events,” featuring experts on various poverty issues. They will publish a book on poverty in the spring, “Ending Poverty in America,” and woo labor leaders who “could be important to Edwards’ chances of capturing the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.” No doubt the book will be a best-seller among the poor.

George Leef, the VP for research for the John William Pope Center for Higher Education, is quoted on the fact that the poverty center is focused on discussing tried-and-failed remedies, such as the minimum wage. Still, the [poverty] Center’s performance was praised by some at UNC-CH, even though it appears to benefit only the employees, directors, faculty, and others paid to discuss, hold forums, write books, and approve policies. The actual poor person, whether as employee or focus of the center’s programs, goes unmentioned throughout a lengthy Raleigh News and Observer feature.

Maybe it is the thought that counts.