Kucinich video postcard: House Joint Resolution 55

paineinthearse

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Wed Aug-17-05 04:53 PM
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Kucinich video postcard: House Joint Resolution 55

By email.

A Video Postcard from Dennis Kucinich

Video and Audio:
RealPlayer: 56K http://www.kucinich.tv/video/08_18_05/real_56k.ram | Broadband http://www.kucinich.tv/video/08_18_05/real_broadband.ram
Windows Media: 56K http://www.kucinich.tv/video/08_18_05/win_56k.wmv | Broadband http://www.kucinich.tv/video/08_18_05/win_broadband.wmv
Quicktime: 56K http://www.kucinich.tv/video/08_18_05/quick_56k.html | Broadband http://www.kucinich.tv/video/08_18_05/quick_broadband.html
Audio: mp3 http://www.kucinich.tv/video/08_18_05/mp3.mp3

I'm hopeful that more and more people across America will continue to open up their hearts and contemplate what this war is doing to America's families and what it is doing to innocent civilians in Iraq, as well.

When I saw the response of the people of Brook Park and of people everywhere, I'm aware that emotions are very raw at this moment, and we have to be very sensitive to the suffering that people are experiencing; particularly people who have lost loved ones. But sooner or later, we come to a point where we say, "How can we stop more losses from occurring?" And I think we're reaching that point.

House Joint Resolution 55 - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.j.res.00055: - is a bipartisan resolution where we bring together Democrats and Republicans, alike, for the purposes of asking - of requiring - the Administration to give us a plan. Give us a plan which, by the end of the year, tells us how America is going to exit from Iraq and to set that plan in motion by October of 2006.

There are some who worry that we're going to be in Iraq for 10-20 years or longer. Frankly, there is reason to be concerned about that because the United States has built several new military bases in Iraq, and our country has already spent upwards of $300 billion on the war.

We have to ask ourselves, "With so many pressing needs in this country, are we prepared to sacrifice the treasure of our youth and the wealth of our nation to create an uncertain future for the people of Iraq," or do we link up again with the world community and find a way to create new circumstances? H.J. Res. 55 is actually about that question.

This is a time for us to reflect. It's also a time for us to get ready to act. As you know, I've spent the last year in the House of Representatives working every day to challenge the war; working every day to find a way to bring our troops home; working every day to address the broader issues of the amount of resources we're putting into a military buildup while this country absolutely is neglecting the health care needs of its people and the educational needs; while our Administration is looking at trying to privatize Social Security. I've been there every step of the way in continuing the challenge; in pointing the path towards a better way.

But I can't do it alone. I need your support.

You know, in the presidential campaign, we had people from all over the country contribute and make it possible for us to run a creditable campaign, to be able to gather delegates from around the country. And I did it because you helped me raise, essentially, about $13 million. We need to keep our fundraising efforts going so that our outreach can continue; so that we can keep working for a Department of Peace; so that we can keep working for withdrawal from Iraq; so that we can keep working for a new role for America in the world, where we're not taking on the world, where we reconcile with the world; so we can keep working to protect Social Security; so we can keep working to have a universal single-payer not-for-profit health care plan; so we can keep working for universal pre-kindergarten.

There are so many goals that we all have and that we share in common. And you ask what you can do? You can help by participating in our web site, "Insight and Action," finding out what tools exist to help you become more of an activist. But also, you can help financially. So, again, I'm appealing to you. Help us help you, and help us help this country and the world. Help me do the work that I came to Congress to do: to help make this a better country and a better world.

I want to tell you how grateful I am for your ongoing support. You've made it possible for me to reach deeply into every area of this nation. You made it possible for me to be a spokesperson on your behalf. Make it possible for me to continue to do that work. Go to our web site again at www.kucinich.us and click on the button that says "Contributions" and help us further our work here.

I look forward to joining you in your own community. Don't hesitate to send us an e-mail, inviting me to come and speak to any of the groups in your community. Let's keep broadening our work: the work of rebuilding America - emotionally, politically, and spiritually. It is a long haul, admittedly, but it's one that I'm dedicated to. And I know you are, too. Let's work together. Let's create new possibilities. Let's move forward with faith and hope and with courage.

--Dennis