Kucinich on the Issues

[RangerRK]

Dennis' stance on the issues
1. US out of Iraq * 12 point plan
2. Universal Health Care
3. Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
4. Repeal the Patriot Act
5. Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College
6. Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
7. End the Drug War
8. Fair Elections with Paper Ballots
9. Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
10. Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms

1. US out of Iraq * 12 point plan
There is a compelling need for a new direction in Iraq, one that recognizes the plight of the people of Iraq, the false and illegal basis of the United States war against Iraq, the realities on the ground which make a military resolution of the conflict unrealistic and the urgent responsibility of the United States, which caused the chaos, to use the process of diplomacy and international law to achieve stability in Iraq, a process which will establish peace and stability in Iraq allow our troops to return home with dignity.

I am offering such a plan. This plan responds to the concerns of a majority of Americans. I will present this plan to leadership and members as the only viable alternative to the Bush Administration's policy of continued occupation and escalation. Congress must know that it cannot and must not stand by and watch our troops and innocent Iraqi civilians die.
read more about Dennis' Plan to End the War

2.Universal Health Care
We must establish streamlined national health insurance, "Enhanced Medicare for Everyone." It would be publicly financed health care, privately delivered, and will put patients and doctors back in control of the system. Coverage will be more complete than private insurance plans; encourage prevention; and include prescription drugs, dental care, mental health care, and alternative and complementary medicine.
read more about the plan for Universal Health Care

3. Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
I have a Jobs Plan that will put 2 million Americans back to work at a living wage in such enterprises as rebuilding schools, designing roads, refurbishing environmental projects, and manufacturing steel for water systems. The Kucinich jobs plan will also increase the quality of life in America, by making highways safer, water cleaner, and schools more conducive to learning.

Unless we cancel the WTO and pull out of NAFTA, corporations will continue to move jobs out of the country and produce goods in developing and third-world nations (with great costs to those countries' workers and environment). In order to buy American, we have to assure that goods are still being produced in America. That's why we must first cancel the WTO and pull out of NAFTA, which have lost us millions of jobs and spurred a soaring trade deficit.
read more about Kucinich's plan for Jobs

4. Repeal the Patriot Act
Without a warrant or probable cause, the FBI can now search your private medical records or access your library records. Your doctor or local library is forbidden from notifying you when these searches take place. The government may search your home while you are away and in some cases even confiscate your property. Judicial oversight of these measures is virtually nonexistent. These are only a few of the PATRIOT Act's provisions that compromise our civil liberties.
I believe the only way to stop these unconstitutional infringements on basic American freedoms is to revoke the exorbitant powers the PATRIOT Act has granted the government. I voted against the PATRIOT Act. I am working to repeal it.
read more on the Patriot Act

5. Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College
The right of every American child to a high-quality free public education is one of America's most treasured principles. We must improve the quality of public education in those schools that are struggling and expand public education to include pre-kindergarten beginning at age 3 for any families that want it, as well as tuition-free college for millions of students.
read more on Education


6. Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
My platform is centered upon a non-negotiable commitment to preserve Social Security against all assaults. I stand to return full Social Security benefits to senior citizens at age 65 -- a rollback from the present age of 67. In addition, I staunchly oppose all efforts to privatize Social Security, thus diverting payroll tax dollars into individual accounts. I am against raising the retirement age, against raising the cap on taxable wages, and against means-testing for benefits.
There is no question that America can afford to uphold its social compact with its senior citizens. The finances of the Social Security system are more secure now than ever. America is wealthier than at any previous point in Social Security's history, and the fund is solid through 2042 with no changes whatsoever.
read more on Social Security

7. End the Drug War
I have studied the issue for decades and recognize that our "War on Drugs" has failed. In fact, because our War on Drugs drives up the price, it encourages violence. Prohibition simply doesn't work. It only creates thousands and thousands of Al Capones. Prison should be for people who hurt other people, not themselves. We don't jail people for merely drinking. We jail people when they drink and drive or hurt another human.

The supporters of the drug war have only one solution to this debacle -- more money for law enforcement, more people, more power, more prisons -- with no end in sight. The shredding of our rights to privacy and property promoted by the Drug War is inconsistent with a free society. Criminalization of private or self-destructive behavior is not acceptable in a free nation.
read more about the unjust Drug War

8. Return to Democracy & Fair Elections with Paper Ballots
On September 27, Congressman Kucinich, with 19 cosponsors, introduced H.R. 6200, the Paper Ballot Act of 2006.

The bill would "amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Specifically, the bill would amend Sec. 301(a) by adding new rules for presidential elections:

"(A) The State shall conduct the election using only paper ballots.

"(B) The State shall ensure that the number of ballots cast at a precinct or equivalent location which are placed inside a single box or similar container does not exceed 500.

"(C) The ballots cast at a precinct or equivalent location shall be counted by hand by election officials at the precinct, and a representative of each political party with a candidate on the ballot, as well as any interested member of the public, may observe the officials as they count the ballots."
read more on Election Reform

9. Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
To repair the earth, America must lead. We must reverse course on most Bush Administration policies and support the Kyoto Treaty that Bush rejected. We must strengthen environmental laws and increase penalties on polluters. We should provide tax and other incentives to businesses that conserve energy, retrofit pollution prevention technologies, and redesign toxins out of their manufacturing processes. Nontoxic, safe substitutes for hazardous chemicals must become permanent.
I would initiate a "Global Green Deal" to use our country's leadership in sustainable energy production to provide jobs at home, increase our independence from foreign oil, and aid developing nations with cheap, dependable, renewable energy technologies like wind and solar. A clean environment, a sustainable economy, and an intact ozone layer are not luxuries, but necessities for our planet's future.
read more on Energy and the Environment

10. Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms
Initiate a major new program of investment in rural America, putting thousands to work rebuilding invaluable public assets such as schools, hospitals, libraries, swimming pools, and parks. Teachers, doctors, veterinarians, and other important service providers would be offered incentives to work in under-served areas.

Shift USDA funding and focus away from the promotion of concentrated intensive and industrial agribusiness. The new focus must benefit family farmers, rural communities, the environment, and consumers, with policies crafted to enable farmers to earn a fair price and to provide safe, nutritious food to all people.
read more on Rural America and Family Farms

Download a printable PDF of
Kucinich on the Issues (117kb)
http://dk2008.us/files/kucinich-issues.pdf

[kenfrequed]

1. Yup

This is why Kucinich has my support.

[cyclezealot]

2. No others come near.

The rest are just sleepers. Or worse.

[redqueen]

3. We need to get rid of the two-party system.

They've got us locked into a rigged game.

[RangerRK]

6. First we need to get Instant Runoff Voting...

and Kucinich is the only candidate offering this...

[redqueen]

7. What a coincidence!

:sarcasm:

[RangerRK]

44. We gave Afghanistan IRV

[zulchzulu]

4. Welcome to DU!

Get out in the street and work on it... we need dialogue out there...

[RangerRK]

5. Thank you!

Everyone that supports Kucinich here at DU needs to get out and fight for him.

I am very concerned about the Democratic Party- we have got to return to the party of JFK and RFK!
BEFORE it is too late!


Please pass out the flyer on the issues...
http://dk2008.us/issues
here is another on the war in Iraq
http://dk2008.us/endthewar

[druidity33]

29. hey thanks! nt, K&R

[againes654]

8. K&R

I have been begging people to at least take a look at his stand on the issues. Now I have something to give them. Thanks so much, and welcome to DU from a fairly new member.:hi:

[ProudDad]

9. K&R (n/t)

[Chulanowa]

10. The more I read and hear from this man, the more I find myself moving behind him

I do believe he's getting my primary.

[againes654]

15. WoooHoooo

:bounce: :woohoo: :applause:

[YOY]

11. I swear to God he's getting taller

n/t

[superkia]

13. The title should have been Clinton/Obama/Edwards on the issues.

I don't think any of those candidates supporters no what Kucinich is about and they will never learn because they avoid posts about him like the plague. I think its one of two reasons, one is the media has brainwashed them into sheeple or two, they are afraid to read about him because they know they support a candidate that doesn't compare to him? Throw one of the medias candidates names in the title and then you will see some dialog and maybe they will learn something that could help the entire country. Its hilarious to see a Clinton supporter arguing with an Edwards or Obama supporter about an issue and one side will say " well if that makes my candidate a bad choice, the rest of the candidates are the same except Kucinich and Gravel" They will admit that Kucinich is better in some important ways but wont think of leaving their favorite candidate for what could be the best candidate for the people. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate that I feel is 100% for the people!

And damn it, he has my vote!

[MonkeyFunk]

23. So the only possible reason

for not supporting Kucinich is because we're brainwashed sheeple?

That's silly.

[RangerRK]

25. why would any Democrat trust a candidate that believed Bush's lies

or helps continue the lie? Even Obama has been supporting the funding, and perpetuates the myth that Iran is a threat.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. K&R! Great post! Thank you!

It's about time that DK is starting to get the attention that he deserves. He's been my candidate since 2003 and nobody has the ideas or guts that Dennis has!:patriot:

[RangerRK]

14. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate that I feel is 100% for the people!

I agree, and he speaks the truth on every issue that real Democrats are fighting for. We desperately need him in the White House! He can set us back on the path that was so rudely interrupted by the murder of JFK and RFK.

Now if he would just choose RFKJr as VP (which would ensure his safety) we could have 16 years of blissful peace and truth for a change.

[Totally Committed]

16. That post makes me exceptionally proud to support Dennis.

I wish that were actually the official set of Democratic Party planks for the GE.

TC

[RangerRK]

37. love that quote from Kucinich

this would be the official plan for the Democratic Party if they listened to the people.

Why would anyone allow the DLC and media to control our elections?
They lied about the war in Iraq, they are lying about Iran and are trying to shut Dennis out.
I want who the Corporate media doesn't want.

[Prince Paul]

17. It boggles my mind how any "Democrat" could NOT vote for him

The most important issue to us should be stopping this war and preventing all future wars from ever happening. Do you guys want 1 million dead Iranians to go along with the million dead Iraqis ? How could anybody live with themselves voting for a pro war candidate and in some way have all that blood on their hands.

Kucinich is our only hope.

[penguin7]

18. K&R

[rjones2818]

19. What more do you need to know?

:yourock:

Go Dennis! :woohoo:
http:://dennis4president.com
Choose Peace!

[DianaForRussFeingold]

20. K&R 'He's the most truthful, intelligent, compassionate, and courageous politician we will ever see'

:pals: Thank You, RangerRK!!! :hug: Dennis Kucinich is always with US-on every Issue! One of my favorite videos-- DENNIS KUCINICH *I CANNOT BE BOUGHT!* AUG 28, 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_-6_LqRJEM "THE most truthful, intelligent, compassionate, and courageous politician we will ever see ... who just so happens to be running for PRESIDENT of the USA!!! Come on people ... STOP letting the media tell you who to vote for!! Vote for the person who stands for what YOU want our country to be ... VOTE KUCINICH 2008!!!" :patriot:

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

21. So let's kill off that evil meme that he's "unelectable"

He is highly electable because he makes sense, is his own man, and isn't trying to appeal to some poll-driven model of what his opinions should be.

[RangerRK]

22. He speaks for the majority

on the war in Iraq, preventing war in Iran, single payer health care, ending the 'patriot' act, stopping NAFTA...he could certainly win if our votes were counted by hand, and that includes the primaries.

[fenriswolf]

24. rock star

for once in my life i want to emphatically support a candidate i like without holding my nose
for once in my life i want feel about a candidate like i feel about my favorite pop star (bob marly and john lennon)
for once in my life i want a candidate that i dont feel i need to give and take with on the issues
for once in my life i want a candidate that i can vote for with PRIDE!

[Desertrose]

26. K & R

for Dennis.

[organik]

27. I F&*#king LOVE Kucinich!

Listened to all 3 hours when he was on Ed Shultz, blew me away. He absolutely IS electable, and the MSM knows it. That's why he absolutly KILLS at all the debates, and the post debate coverage barely mentions him, if at all.

One thing is for certain, I believe Dennis believes in this country, believes in us....he will never give up.

It might be 20 years from now, but Dennis Kucinich WILL be president.

[Norrin Radd]

28. k+r

[cobalt1999]

30. Here is why I'm not voting for him

Does Kucinich have some good ideas? Absolutely. In fact, I agree with many of the above points.

So why am I not voting for him? It's not because I think he is unelectable (it's my vote and it's a primary, so who cares), it's not from a lack of media exposure or information about him (I don't watch TV and I've read everything that's been posted here and on his website so I'm informed), it's not his height, looks, or sexy wife either.

I'm not voting for him because:
1) I do not see him having the skills to actually get any of his ideas through congress and implemented. Give me a partial solution over none at all.

2) I don't think he is serious about winning (at least I can't figure out his strategy).

3) Our country is in the ditch right now and I believe we need an efficient and competent person over a dreamer.

Just my opinion and view of him.

[RangerRK]

31. "we need an efficient and competent person"

that might just lead us to war in Iran, forced Health Care, continuation of Bush's bad policies...

I think I'll take my chances with Kucinich's leadership abilities.

He is( and has been) the true leader in the House of Reps- it is not his fault that the House and Senate are controlled by Corporate stooges. We are supposed to get him elected, and fill up the House with new Representatives who have read the Constitution and will support him.

[penguin7]

32. Good point

Dennis has been leading on the anti-war movement and HR 676 in the house.

[cobalt1999]

33. I tried to give my reasons.

However, saying anyone else beside Kucinich is going to "lead us to war in Iran, forced Health Care, continuation of Bush's bad policies" shows you are being disingenuous because that's just not true.

[Armstead]

42. I guarantee that if Hilary is elected.....

The GOP in Congress will block everything she tries to do. She is still a polarizing figure on a personal level.

[Yukari Yakumo]

34. A lot of rhetoric, little substance

And Point 7 is going to go over like a lead brick with the public.

Of all of these things, I'd like to know how he'd implement them. Or, for that matter, where he'll get the funding, especially on Point 6.

All I see is a bunch of talking points that the extreme left will love, but are completely devoid of substance. And knowing his rep as stubborn and immobile unless he gets his way completely and totally, I doubt he'd get any of this to work.

[Armstead]

43. You should actually listen to him and read his full positions

There is a lot of detail, specifics and numbers there.

They don;t get through the media, but if you get a chance to hear unvarnished Kucinich, when he is allowed to actually explain things, his positions have more meat than almost any other candidate.

One may legitimately dislike or partially disagree with his proposals. But it is NOT just rhetoric. He is actually proposing distinct proposals and policies to back up his rhetoric.

[LWolf]

35. No one is in the same league on the issues.

For issues voters, there's no one else close.

[RangerRK]

36. I refuse to settle for anything less

I want my country back- the one promised to us by our founders and the Constitution- is that too much to ask?

[LWolf]

38. You'll get no argument from me!

I think that's the whole point of any political action on my part. To create, to nurture and grow, the country promised to us in our Constitution, founded on democratic ideals.

[Tafiti]

39. He's my political wet dream.

He's so right on about every single issue, he'd be the greatest President ever. The world would, quite literally, be a better place.

[MetalCanuck]

40. All these reasons are why I would support him if I were American:)

The Drug was is a big issue here too. What a waste of money.

[MetalCanuck]

41. People won't vote for Dennis because

the media says so. They say he has no support and is
unelectable so the people obey. The rest of the Dems are in
the CFR besides Gravel.

Here is a Nice video if you want to know about the CFR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo5CZvD3-QM