Justice- Why I suppport Dennis Kucinich

[diamondsoul]

I wrote this in a thread on the Kucinich volunteer board, and I felt like it was good enough to share with others. I'm also considering expanding on the theme a bit and submitting it for publication, some-damned-where.

Opposition of the Iraq invasion brought him to my attention, and then I read his position statements.

What I saw was something I've been searching for my entire voting life- a candidate who understands the word Justice and all it means. Dennis Kucinich comprehends the amount of injustice we're all seeing on a daily basis. Its a common theme throughout all of his policies from my perspective. The drug war is rampant with unjust arrests, prosecutions, and sentencing. Dennis is the one with the clearest response to that charge- an unequivocal "Yes it is, and I want to change it!".

Healthcare is rampant with injustice in it's preference for those with money over those without. Kucinich again says "Yes it is, and I'm prepared to stop that!"

Our trade policies are rampant with injustice, causing wide-spread suffering among people from other countries and costing our own citizens needed jobs. Again we hear Kucinich loudest and clearest- "Yes they are and I think we should scrap them and start over!"

I support Dennis because the phrase "With Liberty and Justice for all." has always been my favorite segment of the Pledge of Allegiance. As a child I would get chills down my spine when we reached that phrase. I spoke it loudest and strongest of all the lines in the Pledge because it meant something to me.

I BELIEVE with every ounce of my being that the United States can live up to "With Liberty and Justice for ALL.", and Congressman Dennis John Kucinich brings that line to life in one candidate. The one most likely to make that a truthful assessment of this country.

[genius]

1. THe question is whether we have enough integrity to support him

One day, when I have grandkids, I want to be able to tell them that I voted my conscience and that when a candidate, like Dennis, came along, I had the integrity and courage to support him rather than going with some popular rich guy who lacked Dennis's high values.

[flama]

2. There is a diamond in your soul

"Liberty and justice for all" is my favorite line in the Pledge of Allegiance, too. That's what founded our country. I still speak it the loudest and strongest of all the words.

It's not, like the sweatshirts I gave my daughter and son-in-law said, "liberty and justice for all: some restrictions may apply, not available in some areas."

I just signed up to be a volunteer for Dennis. I want my country back!

[diamondsoul]

3. YAY! Welcome to the Kucinich campaign!

You should check out the volunteer board when you have some time. It's basically our version of the other campaigns' weblogs. Great ideas being exchanged and input from National where it's needed.

I also have it on good authority Dennis himself wants to start answering questions from supporters there on a regular basis.

http://us.denniskucinich.us/phpBB2/index.php

Hope to see your thoughts added to the mix soon. :)

[no name no slogan]

4. Gotta kick this...

because it expresses my thoughts exactly!

I've been thru the wringer with our current HMO-based healthcare system and I fully believe that the ONLY answer is a single-payer universal system, like that proposed by DK.

I also believe DK is the only candidate proposing REAL, PRACTICAL, WORKABLE solutions to what ails this country. No prancing around the edges, tweaking here, twisting there, but real change.

Not only is he right on the issues, he's got experience, and a record standing up for what's right.

Kucinich is the man!

[JohnKleeb]

5. Thanks diamond!

:toast: that sums it up

[cyclezealot]

6. HMO maze

I too went through the HMO maze this past summer. we have lived in Europe and we know how medicine should be practiced... This past summer was horrible. Not only do HMO's stink, but our employer is toying with taking this abberation away from retirees.
Should the US not have to wisdom to have Kucinich bring us a rational medical delivery system, we think we will retire to Europe where medical coverage is inexpensive and good. Surely better than remaining here and working in some fast food restaurant in hopes of have some cheapo insurance plan.
None of the rest of the Democratic candidates will do a thing to solve this injustice. No Kucinich, we predict we are off to Europe in our retirement, where we can buy decent medical plans for under $100 a month... We will not work until we are 65 just to have medical coverage. What a country we live in !

[diamondsoul]

7. Kickin' for the Congressman n/t

[raysr]

8. DK

I was for Kerry early on, I really thought he'd renounce his vote for the war but he never did. Then along came Dennis. And he has it ALL together! The fact that he can't seem to catch on devestates me. I saw him in person, shook his hand and I knew he was the anti-bush. Why others can't(won't) see it is because he can't catch on. America is about winning, right or wrong. Who couldn't say, in all fairness and truth, that Dennis would make the best president? I like all the candidates(except Lieberman). Dean has something about him that makes me not trust him, Clark is military, and having been in the military Viet-era I really don't trust him. But in reality I don't believe DK will make it. I don't think the others will either. I feel Bush has it locked, one way or the other, and there's little to be done about it. Yet I will fight on against the filthy bastard Bush and hope that one of our guys breaks through. RH

[Hawkeye-X]

9. Zzzzz....

Washington insiders DO NOT WIN presidential elections.

The only lone exception was JFK.

Hawkeye-X

[JohnKleeb]

10. umm you mean Gore lost, I had no idea you thought that way Hawk

Forget all about the man's vision, he happens to be a congressperson and or senator, lets give up ;). Sorry but this happened to boil me the hell up. Actually while governors have been sucesses winning recent elections, Kennedy was not the first nor the last "insider" to win. Christ allmighty even I knew that and I am as dumb as a pile of rocks ;). BTW I still aint switching because of it. He has the vision that we need. :eyes: now if you excuse me I am gonna switch candiates ;) NOT. Sorry Hawk I dont mean to lash out and such but thats an absurd reason not to support someone, you act as if anyone affiliated with congress or the senate is an "insider" technically they are, but that doesnt make them the boogyman. Sorry but this set me off, I am already frustrated and flustered as it is but damnit man, you really think this is a reason to ignore the truth that Kucinich has a fine vision for America. I wont ignore it. BTW I aint switching candiates anytime soon.
Oh LBJ was an "insider" won by a landslide, Nixon was and won twice, lets see um HW Bush, and Gore won as well. Christ just because of a recent turn in history of us electing governors doesnt me we shouldnt support the person we feel with the best vision, by your standards I shouldnt have supported RFK or McCarthy back in '68 because they were senators, some logic :eyes:. Sorry to react how I did but youre being absurd with your reasoning here.

[sandnsea]

11. Any chance he'll go Green?

Do you guys know? If Dean gets the nomination, I'd go behind any party that put Kucinich up as its candidate. I've voted a straight Democratic ticket for 25 years, but if Dean is the nominee then I know for sure this party is headed off a cliff. Kerry is closest to Kucinich's values in my mind, but presents those ideals in a more realistic, pragmatic way. That's why I support him instead. Even Gephardt's union and health care plans represent my values better than Dean. If we don't get a real Democrat, then I'm going to look for a new party. So anybody know what Kucinich is thinking on this?

[JohnKleeb]

12. No he wont

[ErasureAcer]

13. If he doesn't get the nomination, I'll be voting green...

someone said Camejo would run if Nader didn't.

Obviously, a lot needs to change in the USA...especially when it comes to the energy policy. Dennis is the only one with a solid plan to solve the problem now.

[sandnsea]

14. What's better?

What's unique about Dennis' energy policy that the other candidates aren't addressing?

I could look into Camejo. No way would I support Nader, or anybody who said there's no difference between Democrats and Republicans. That's one reason I'm angry at Dean. There is a difference, but there won't be if Dean gets the nomination. What a total hypocrite. Kucinich wouldn't say that, he confronts things that are wrong without being divisive. He'd be strong on all the things I care about and run on that. I just wish he'd taken the realist approach instead of the dreamy idealist approach. I think he'd be way ahead if he had.