Congressman Kucinich

There has been a terrible vacancy in the political discourse in this country; something that has been missing since I was a little girl. There has been a lack of an alternative vision from within the political mainstream. An alternative that addresses the needs of the people and our relationship with the world at large; one that automatically values every human life, discarding as failed the idea that it's somehow weak and unrealistic to care more about people than economic domination. This alternative vision has finally arrived in the form of presidential candidate, Dennis J. Kucinich.

A truly inspiring individual, Kucinich is doing remarkably well considering the media's outright neglect of him and the Democratic Party's unwillingness to take him seriously. Those in power have a real fear of infusing the political consciousness in this country with the idea that domination is an unfulfilling, elitist practice.

To this established political machine of Republicans, Democrats, big business and the media; Dennis Kucinich is a terrifying entity — and they are right to be afraid of him. He is an enormously charismatic speaker who has a message that both lives up to America's ideal of itself and resonates with and energizes those who have begun to wonder where the second party in this two party system has been. Kucinich tirelessly advocates the idea that human life, not extravagant monetary success is our most valuable resource, and that an investment in this is the way to achieve true security and peace. He plans to achieve this end in the following specific ways essential to me as a peace and justice activist.

First, Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate who voted against the invasion of Iraq and now advocates the replacement of the current U.S. occupation with a U.N. presence. He is by far the strongest antiwar and peace candidate. He has shown again and again a renewed commitment to Peace and Diplomacy — a proactive and strategic approach to policy development that promotes conflict prevention on a national and international level, as well as nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict and structured mediation of conflict.

"We can conceive of peace as not simply the absence of violence but the active capacity for a higher evolution of human awareness, of respect, of trust, and integrity. Of peace, wherein we all tap the infinite capabilities of humanity to transform consciousness and conditions that impel or compel violence at a person, group, or national level toward creating understanding, compassion, and love. We can bring forth new understandings where peace, not war, becomes inevitable." Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

Second, Dennis advocates the creation of a Department of Peace to realize the above mentioned goals. Kucinich is the only candidate who supports withdrawal from NAFTA and the WTO — which have enriched multinational corporations at the expense of average workers, family farmers and the environment; this would be replaced with a fair trade agreement.

Third, he proposes a national health care plan that would include both full prescription drug coverage and free choice of any doctor or hospital while actually lowering government spending on health care.

And fourth, Dennis Kucinich has promised to view a quality education, Pre-K through College as something that should be a guaranteed basic human right — with a dramatic shift in emphasis from test-taking to creative and critical thinking.

For a person who has always felt as though I were casting a vote for the lesser of two undesirables, controlled by monied interests and cronyism, there is finally an opportunity to cast a vote that will enhance the likelihood that this country may come to truly represent its citizens — a chance to become a country where quality of life for all people is the main interest of the government. A vote for Dennis J. Kucinich is an opportunity to take this country back. If you, like I, have been waiting, now is the time to speak.

Home • Lunch Lectures • Meetings • Film Series • Newsletter • Purpose • Links • Contact MPAC

Dennis Kucinich: At Last, A True Alternative

MPAC Newsletter, November 2003

By Anna Sweeney

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich with reporter. Photo by Josh Schachter.

For more information about Dennis Kucinich and his positions, check out www.kucinich.us. To get involved, contact Lu Bauer, Maine Coordinator, Kucinich for President: lu@kucinich.us or 207-892-6652.

Home • Lunch Lectures • Meetings • Film Series • Newsletter • Purpose • Links • Contact MPAC