 |
Dennis Kucinich: The Original |
 |
It’s great that there has been a debate that actually gives candidates fair time doesn’t pander to hairstyles and cleavage.
Referring to the recent Democratic NPR debate, Richard Wolffe from Newsweek says of Dennis Kucinich:
Think what you like about Kucinich and UFOs, but this Democratic field has essentially moved to the Kucinich position on trade, on Iraq, on a whole range of things where people thought he was a real outlier. They’re all pretty much in agreement now, when it comes to some of these big issues like trade, like diplomacy and war. And they are where Dennis Kucinich is.
Wolffe is spot on in pointing this out. All the issues that Democrats are talking about now and have a position on have all lean towards the initial proposals of Kucinich, positions that he espoused well before this election cycle. Let’s run down the list:
- Opposition the war in Iraq - Did not vote for the initial authorization of the war and has been against all subsequent supplementary funding bills.
- Universal health care - He’s been pushing this one for years, and not in the half-hearted, semi-formed way that Clinton or Obama has. Kucinich has outlined a detailed plan for implementing universal health care which has been pushing for over five years. He’s been pushing for legislation in this very session — co-sponsored with Rep. John Conyers — to make this a reality.
- International trade policies - Responsible bilateral fair trade agreements, the cancellation of NAFTA, CAFTA, and similar free trade policies that force down labor standards and diminish the working and middle classes in the US. During the NPR debate, he spoke extensively about the US’s trade deficit with China and how this needs to change.
- The PATRIOT ACT and Civil Liberties - Wolf Blitzer: ‘You’re the only one on this stage who had a chance to vote for the PATRIOT ACT who voted against it.’ Kucinich: ‘That’s because I read it.’
This is why I am calling Kucinich the Original (or, for the more colloquial, the “O.G.” — the Original Gangster). Kucinich gets things right the first time. As I suggested before, this man has his finger on the pulse of America. While the Big 3 scramble to find a position or justify positions previously taken, Kucinich is straight up keepin’ it real.
I THINK KUCHINICh IS MAD COOL
Grow up.
Amen, brother. Raring to go for this Saturday? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, surf over to Saturday’s date (ending in dot com) and give Kucinich your thumbs up.
I agree Wayne. There comes a point in every politicians life when they say to themselves “Will my grandchildren think they are spineless as well?” If they claim them that is. I’m of the opinion that the children of mongers should be forced to keep their sur name, so they can be shunned by their peers for reaping the benefits of their ancestors collective screwing of the public. Maybe we can get the O.G. on board with that too!
Oh snap, its Brett. But who is Wayne?
I don’t know… Decoy I guess
I’m Wayne…or I was….
Kucinich? Seriously?
Dennis “I have introduced legislation to ban the manufacture, sale, and carry of handguns” Kucinich?
There’s no way that I as a FLAMING liberal registered and contributing Democrat in favor of universal preventative healthcare and against the Iraq war could ever vote for him after that doozy. Ugh.
Kucinich would be the death of the Democratic Party with his completely wrongheaded stance on the 2nd Amendment.
Whoa, seriously? Carrying a handgun in your pocket is more important to you than universal not-for-profit health care plus getting out of Iraq?
No kidding. Someone likes their guns a little too much.
The war sucks and we need to end it. Now.
BUT:
1. Handguns in private hands are used roughly six times as often to PREVENT crimes as they are to COMMIT them. Guns are a net positive.
2. Healthcare in the US was broken by government intervention in the 70’s. Get the government out, and let doctors and patients work out their own arrangements.
I’d be voting for DK if we didn’t have Ron Paul. But we do.
You’re not getting it. I don’t even own a gun!
I prefer a strong Democratic Party, and Kucinich’s stance on handguns will cause us to lose, lose, lose our way into political irrelevancy.
“The fights I fought…cost a lot. The fight for the assault weapons ban cost 20 [Democrats] their seats in Congress.”
–William Jefferson Clinton, 2004
We Dems cannot afford to alienate and galvanize 40 million gun owners against us this time around. They are connected, well organized, politically active, and numerous - and they will vote Dems out of office left and right if we support a loose cannon like Kucinich. Our support for the assault weapons ban cost us the 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004 congressional elections, the 2000 and 2004 presidencies, and gave us the Iraq War. When we FINALLY shut up about it in 2006, we WON. Now we’re going to push another candidate that will cause us to LOSE again? Are we gluttons for punishment?!?
We support Kucinich, we deserve to lose - and we will. Americans are not tolerant of gun-control candidates any more.
Ah, okay, you were talking about electability, not your personal opinion.
That’s an interesting quote from Bill Clinton. But even if 40 million gun owners vote against a Democratic candidate, doesn’t that leave about 110 million other voting Americans who don’t own guns who might vote for the Democratic candidate? (I’m assuming half of Americans vote in presidential elections these days, which I seem to recall having read somewhere.)
(When I said “drugs”, I meant “the drug war”.)
Nice try, troll, but you are a little too transparent to fool anyone.
Really? Troll?
You call a troll someone who’s trying to tell you the truth?
I, a REGISTERED AND CONTRIBUTING DEMOCRAT, am saying that we will lose, lose, lose if we support Kucinich - simply because ten years of elections should have taught you that draconian gun control causes Democratic losses. I’ve SEEN it happen on the front lines.
Dennis K has been a long favorite of mine. But Ron Paul, while wrong on abortion (and strict on immigration) strikes me as having a more educated and economically savvy approach to the same problems. I’m voting for Paul this time around, but I suspect I’ll be voting for DK in future elections.
Every time I take one of those online quizzes, you know, pick your issues and we’ll give you the candidate you’re views are closest with, I come up with Kucinich. Go figure….
SPREAD THE WORD!!! What’s your next bold move America? VOTE KUCINICH 2008 PRIMARIES AND CAUSUS’!!! Time is of the essence. We need citizen justice. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate who has the wisdom and the courage to hold the light of truth in these technological dark ages. We really are at a crucial moment in history. We the people of the United States have the power and the oppurtunity to take charge and set a new course in history that will affect all of humanity. We, The United States Citizens hold the responsibility of the world in our hands, as we vote. We have over 700 military bases all over the world. Especially where there is resource and economic interests. Such as, cheap labor and oil. We the citizens of the US can use our time together over the holidays to challenge our friends and family. Dennis Kucinich is a Democrat. With our vote, he can win the Primaries and Caucus’ he will be recognized by the Democratic Party as the nominee to run for President. So, get out the Primaries and Caucus’ vote!!! Do not be manipulated by the Corporate Media as to who a front runner is. We the people decide that with our vote. Dennis doesn’t accept corporate donations. He’s the only candidate that has no ties to corporate interests. He’s the only candidate with this policy for his campaign in both Democrat and Republican race. Ron Paul accepts corporate donations. Let’s vote for the only candidate that truly does stand with the people. Let’s vote for our future. Let’s vote to make this the most viable and vibrant planet. Let’s vote to save ourselves. Let’s vote to make peace a way of life, rather than a seasonal dream. Stand with me America and vote for Kucinich for all our sakes. PEACE
Amen, sister. Remember the fifteenth of December — that’s this Saturday.