The Case For Dennis Kucinich
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Wednesday, August 15 2007, 11:47AM
It's time for our regular Wednesday feature looking at the various presidential candidates. I've asked people in the black LGBT community to make the case for various candidates. The first feature in the series more than a month ago was on Barack Obama. A month ago we featured Hillary Clinton. Three weeks ago we profiled John Edwards. And two weeks ago we made the case for Bill Richardson. Today, after a week-long break, we make a case for Dennis Kucinich, the Ohio congressman who is running for president.
This article is different from all the rest. This one is not written by a guest commentator. I wrote this one myself. I haven't picked a candidate yet, and most of the attention has focused on Obama, Clinton and Edwards. But when you look beyond the polls to the issues, I have to admit that I like Dennis Kucinich. Continue below to read the case for Dennis Kucinich.
The Case For Dennis Kucinich
By Keith BoykinIn 1964, Republican Barry Goldwater ran on a conservative platform for the presidential campaign. His unofficial campaign slogan was a tribute to his strong beliefs. The slogan his supporters repeated was simple: "In your heart you know he's right."
I feel the same way about Dennis Kucinich today. In my heart, I know he's right. He's right on the war. He's right on domestic issues. He's right on health care. He's right on the environment. And he may be right for you.
But then I remember one other thing about Barry Goldwater. He lost to Lyndon Johnson in a landslide. It's hard to overlook that fact. I would love to see a Dennis Kucinich type leader in the White House, and in the end I may vote for him in the Democratic primary. But whether he wins the election or not depends on whether the public votes on fear or hope.
This is not an endorsement, but this is an encouragement. I encourage you to forget what the media and the pundits are saying and take a serious look at Dennis Kucinich. Even if you don't want to vote for him, at least understand who he is and what he believes.
I can tell you this from experience. On almost every major issue, Dennis Kucinich shares my values, even if we disagree on a few of the specifics.
On Health Care
Kucinich bills himself as the only presidential candidate with a plan for a universal single payer, not for profit health care system. That puts him above the rest in terms of setting out an ambitious goal and a plan to achieve it. Personally, I'm not sure if a single payer system is the solution but I do believe that universal health care must be the objective. At least Kucinich tells you how he's going to do it.
The Kucinich health care plan would expand Medicare to all Americans and would cover all health care needs, including dental care, mental health care, vision care, prescription drugs, and long-term care. He would raise taxes to pay for the health care coverage, and he's honest enough to admit it, even if it exposes him to criticism.
Health care is the number one domestic issue for me, and Kucinich gets a good grade for an honest attempt to deal with the problem. We live in the wealthiest country on the planet, and yet 45 million Americans don't have health insurance. That's the real scandal, and we can afford to do something about it if we make it a priority.
On International Relations
On foreign policy, Kucinich's policies go farther than getting out of Iraq. That's the standard Democratic default position today, but it's a reactive position instead of proactive. What the Democrats need to do is to articulate an affirmative international agenda to tell the American people and the world what they believe in, not just what they're against.
Kucinich has done that. He believes American foreign policy should be guided by President Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "The only lasting way to eliminate an enemy is to make him your friend." That doesn't mean you don't defend the country, but it does mean you deal with the root causes of the contention between your enemies as well. "We will accommodate rather than alienate, make friends instead of enemies, and employ carrots far more often than sticks," Kucinich says. "We need an administration that will drain the swamps of hopelessness, exploitation, and humiliation that cause vulnerable individuals to head down the terrorist road. We need leaders who will be both tough on terror and tough on the causes of terror."
After 8 years of George Bush's go-it-alone imperialist foreign policy, Kucinich would usher in a new era of international cooperation in which the U.S. finally signed onto or reaffirmed its commitment to important international treaties and agreements. He would support ratification or affirmation of the Kyoto Treaty on global climate change, the nuclear non proliferation treaty, the comprehensive test ban treaty, the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, the landmine ban treaty, the biological weapons convention, the chemical weapons convention and the International Criminal Court, all of which have been compromised under current U.S. policy.
And he would create a Department of Peace to stand alongside the Department of Defense. "If our country must spend hundreds of billions of dollars every year preparing for war, we can spend at least one percent of that amount for a department aimed at preventing war," he argues.
On Jobs and The Economy
Like all of the other Democratic candidates, Kucinich supports increasing the minimum wage. But Kucinich doesn't stop there. He believes the minimum wage should be a "living wage" and he would raise it to at least $8 an hour to start, and then create an index so that the minimum wage would rise automatically with cost of living increases. That would get the Democrats and the Republicans out of the business of fighting over the minimum wage every few years. Instead, it would increase automatically.
Kucinich is also serious about creating jobs by rebuilding infrastructure. Even before the recent Minneapolis bridge collapse, Kucinich was talking about infrastructure. His plan would create a low-cost federal financing mechanism to administer $50 billion in zero-interest loans every year to communities in need of infrastructure projects, and 20 percent of the funds would be targeted for school construction and repair.
How would he pay for his plan? Kucinich calls for a 15 percent reduction in the military budget, redirecting that $65 billion towards hometown security issues such as education, jobs, and health care for all. In an era where the U.S. spends far more money on defense than Russia, China, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Cuba, Syria or Venezuela, it's hard to justify our bloated military budgets. And it's not clear that we get results from all the money we spend.
The only area where I strongly disagree with Kucinich is on trade. Kucinich would repeal NAFTA. I would keep it in place and make it work through labor and environmental agreements. Free trade will create jobs in the long run, but protectionism will only provide a short-term solution that will ultimately alienate the very allies Kucinich wants to cultivate. But we can work on that.
On Other Issues
As president, Dennis Kucinich would set out a progressive social agenda that would dramatically change the way we do business and politics in America. More than any other candidate, his campaign really represents the audacity of hope.
Kucinich would repeal the Patriot Act, guarantee quality education for all Americans from pre-kindergarten through college, ensure full Social Security benefits would be available to retirees at 65, protect a woman's right to choose and support same-sex marriage. He would also strip federal funds to police departments that engage in racial profiling, abolish capital punishment, stop the phony "war on drugs," sign federal gun control legislation, abolish mandatory minimum sentences and decriminalize marijuana. No other Democratic candidate (except possibly Mike Gravel) can say all that.
Kucinich hasn't spent his political career calculating his way to the White House. He's been fighting for the issues he believes in, even if they're unpopular. As a member of the House of Representatives, he spoke against the Patriot Act, voted against it and introduced legislation for its repeal. He didn't decide to oppose it once he decided to run for president. He says, "It's time for our Party to show some backbone. It's time to stand for the repeal of the PATRIOT Act."
What I like about Dennis Kucinich is that he's genuine, even when we disagree. Kucinich spent much of his life and political career as a pro-life Democrat. He switched his position several years ago and became pro-choice. He says he is still "uncomfortable" with the number of abortions, but believes that government should not restrict a woman's right to choose. But he's also good at deconstructing the way the Republicans have exploited this issue.
"Why have a Republican House and Senate never even offered one vote proposing a Constitutional Amendment banning abortion?" Kucinich asks. "If the issue were truly important to them as anything but a wedge issue, they would have. The truth is that Republicans have hidden from an honest up or down vote on abortion and will never allow one to take place in the Congress. Instead, they will continue fooling well-intentioned voters who feel strongly about abortion that they "feel their pain," when clearly they do not."
That's a refreshing bit of honesty in a campaign filled with political hot air. Imagine if we had a president who leveled with us instead of lying to us all the time. Imagine a president who told us the hard truths instead of insulting our intelligence. Imagine a country where every kid could go to college, every American had health insurance, every woman had control of her own body, every gay person had equal rights and every senior citizen could retire without fear of poverty.
So go ahead and believe for a second. Believe that your vote can make a difference. Believe that you can affect the outcome of the election. Believe that you can support a candidate who agrees with you on the issues. If you do, I believe you will take a serious look at Dennis Kucinich.
Comments conceal
Derrick from Philly
August 15 2007, 1:24PM
This is the dilemma that I and many other so-called Liberals/Leftists face with this Democratic Primary season that we didn't face in the past. When I voted for Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton, I knew they didn't have a chance of winning the nomination--I was voting my heart in those past elections. Also, there was not really a three way battle for the nomination (Hillary, Barack & John) as there is now; therefore, some of us feel we have to choose between the top three, not where our hearts really are. But then I say, if there ever was a time when America may be ready for a candidate from the far left it may be now. THe Conservatives have really fucked up the foreign policy situation, and double-crossed the idiots who voted them in--now may be the time to try a "true" Liberal Democrat.
But right now, I feel like I'll "punk out" and pick from the boring-ass top three running: Hillary, Barack & John-- the Mod Squad...jeez.
cmoney
August 15 2007, 2:14PM
I like his agenda (I don't know where he is on illegal immigration, I suspect I won't like his position) and he would definitely be the sweeping change that this nation needs after 8 years of Bush and 8 years of Clinton's compromises with Repugnicans. Unfortunately, people like him rarely get elected. He's too, shall we say, "French". Intellectual, favors people over corporations and isn't a rabid warmonger. The entire Democratic field is head and shoulders abouve the morons running for the GOP nomination. It's good to have great choices for a change. So what do you think, Derrick--is he a top or a bottom like Richardson?
Derrick from Philly
August 15 2007, 3:01PM
Well, cmoney: I sense total frottage here. No need for any KY Jelly with this dude...he abhors bacteria.
I don't think that Eastern European surname helps in a presidential election either. Although, Lieberman did get most of the popular vote back in 2000, Americans like their presidents/vice-presidents with Anglofied surnames. Hell, they may like the sound of Obama more so than Kucinich.
Anonymous
August 15 2007, 4:35PM
Dennis Kucinich: Now that's what I'm talking about.
He's refreshingly honest and deeply knowledgeable on all the issues; he's a gentle yet firm and captivating speaker; and he's a stronger progressive than both Clinton and Barack.
With all due respect and love for Derrick from Philly (minus the frottage because I'm celibate and have been for 17 years...yes, chil': old queen; old, honey) I'm not gonna punk out and pick the top three Democratic candidates (even though I'm a complete bourgie punk).
Good, clear argument for why Kucinich's a good choice, Mr. Keith Boykin, esq.
Derrick from Philly
August 15 2007, 4:42PM
Actually, cmoney: I sense total frottage--no need for any KY Jelly with this dude. He abhors bacteria.
I wonder if having a very ethnic surname isn't actually a draw back in presidential elections. The only time someone with a very Eastern or Southern European surname was on a winning ticket was Spiro Agnew, wasn't it? Oh, I forgot about Lieberman--most folks did vote for him. But I don't think Americans like surnames that don't sound Anglofied. Hell, Obama may sound more pleasing to the American ear than Kucinich.
cmoney
August 15 2007, 5:00PM
That's a horrible mental picture. Maybe I'll just stick to the issues on this guy. Actually, appearance do count in this country and Kucinich isn't winning any beauty contests. He's short and has a munchkin/elf thing going on. Americans generally prefer a taller, ruggedly handsome or distinguished look for presidents. Clinton got by on tall and sexy. Bush II was definitely cuter than Kerry (I almost threw up when I wrote that). John Edwards is a little too cute. People of both races do find Obama to be attractive. Hillary brings a different dynamic to the race as a woman (she does have cankles, though). The only remotely handsome Republican is Mitt Romney. He would have a definite advantage over a Kucinich in a head to head match up. Hey, Americans are shallow when it comes to politics, it aint just us gays!
Derrick from Philly
August 15 2007, 5:14PM
Sorry about the double posting, y'all. Sometimes you get so exciting by your own poop you end up lettin' loose twice. Forgive me.
LBJ wasn't no beauty, cmoney. Franklin D only looked good compared to Eleanor (God Bless her magnificent soul). Our Emancipator was horrifying to look at, but nobody saw what he looked like till after he won the election of 1860. Washington & Jefferson both looked gay and depressed to me. Ike was kinda' sexy looking with them sad, bulging eyes--musta' been the Colored blood in him.
Mikey
August 15 2007, 6:01PM
On the Democratic side Dennis Kucinich IS the best candidate and on the Republican side it's of course Ron Paul. I find it funny that so many posts above me keep saying a guy like him doesn't have a chance of winning. The reason he doesn't have a chance of winning because people like you are writing him off and not voting for him. Duh he's not gonna win if people don't vote. The only reason Hillary, Barack, and John are the top three cause the media says so. When they do these polls I'm never asked who I support and non of my friends are asked, so where do they get these people from to give out these poll numbers, ever think about that? If you like Kucinich vote for him, don't just say "Oh he'll never win so why vote?" With that attitude he won't ever win. So throwing your vote away on the top three because you "know" one of them will win is I think ridiculous.
Anonymous
August 15 2007, 7:14PM
Mikey, you're right!
And I sure wish somebody would poll me...I've never gotten so much as a phone call.
Terry
August 15 2007, 8:36PM
First, I am killing myself laughing at Derrick from Philly, Cmoney, and Anonymous- I love it! lol!
Dennis is definitely getting my vote. I am so tired of "punking" out and voting for those "you know one of them will win" candidates. Mickey is right! If we see a candidate who is much more qualified than their opponents, yet we still don't vote for them, we will continuously be left with candidates we are unhappy with.
I say we (his supporters) vote for Dennis and the let the chips fall where they may.
David
August 15 2007, 9:04PM
I don't care if he looks like one of the Keebler Elves.
I'm going to send him a check.
Steve
August 16 2007, 7:54AM
I'll vote for him in the primary if he's still on the ballot by the time he gets here. I fear he will not be, for all the reasons mentioned above. His background as a legislator is no help to him, either. If only he was a handsome former governor - he would win for sure. cmoney is absolutely right in that regard - you'd better be cute or you can forget it. In this era of television driven marketing, you gotta give good face.
MidwestGuy
August 16 2007, 9:25AM
I like most of Kucinich's plan but I think he so far left w/some of his ideas that it begs the question of how can he bring the country together? We live in America and as such there has to be some compromise. That's the only way to get something done. Well, I take that back. There are two ways to get things done in this country 1)by force 2)by compromise. We've seen what happens when things are forced upson us. I'm uncomfortable w/Dennis being able to effectively handle the latter.
I have really never considered voting for a candidate because of his/her looks. That is irrelevant to my vote. Then again, I never thought Johnathan Capehart was gay so..
Eric
August 16 2007, 9:38AM
Dennis is the best kept secret (unfortunately) in this race - as he was in 2004.
I voted for him during the 2004 primary and I will do so again in '08.
And since most Americans are sheep and our media is a disgrace, he won't be the nominee so I will cast a blank ballot in '08. (In ’04 I voted for Nader - don’t bitch, I live in Jersey so it had no effect.) However, if Bloomberg runs in ‘08, then I will vote for him.
Always vote for the right man.
Pam
August 16 2007, 1:30PM
Thanks for a great article Keith!
As they say: "Fall in love in the primary, fall in line for the general election".
We bitch about politicians lying and being bought off, and here we have an honest man that refuses to take corporate donations being handed to us on a silver platter, and because he doesn't get the big dirty bucks, his campaign is discounted.
It's as if we don't believe we deserve such a president.
For those that don't believe Dennis can be elected, I will quote Sean Penn when I say, "ISN'T THAT UP TO US??"
Anyone else, and I'm afraid it will be the same corporate whoredom and war. These Democrats act so much like Republicans now, they just might be.
Let's not let the mainstream media tell us who to vote for... what are we, a bunch of idiots?
DDC
August 16 2007, 1:34PM
If you like Kucinich vote for him, don't just say "Oh he'll never win so why vote?" With that attitude he won't ever win. So throwing your vote away on the top three because you "know" one of them will win is I think ridiculous.
Uh... isn't that why Bush defeated Gore in 2000 to begin with? Because people were following their hearts and voting for Nader instead? If those Greens had went with the sureshot Gore instead of wasting their votes on the sure-LOSER Nader, the Bush administration may never have happened at all, folks. Wake up and smell the reality, voting is a lot more complicated than just picking who you like the most.
Farmgirl
August 16 2007, 2:20PM
I think if all the Kucinich supporters printed off this article and stood on the street corners and picketed and handed out Kucinich campaign information, the mainstream media would not be necessary. YOU would be the MAINSTREAM MEDIA.
There was a poll where people could vote on the issues instead of the candidates. Kucinich was at the top of the heap with over 50% of the votes. NO OTHER CANDIDATE HAD DOUBLE DIGITS. That tells me that if people knew of Kucinich and voted for the issues, we would have President Kucinich in 2008.
It's time to start being Americans and make something happen that is your passion. Get out there and march! Go to www.presidentkucinich.com and be a part of making history the way you want it to read.
This is a great article, thank you for writing it. You are a hero!
Farmgirl
Anonymous
August 16 2007, 9:06PM
Farmgirl,
I completely agree. We must be the change that we want in this country and vote for a Dennis Kucinich. How often do we get honest politicians who work on our behalf, who really care about fiscal sobriety yet the care and concern of a government that does not neglect the needy; who is unapologetic about supporting gay rights; who sees this Iraq war with clear eyes.
Vote DENNIS KUCINICH.
MilesTeg
August 16 2007, 11:36PM
Wow I think this was one of the Greatest Blog/Article evah!
I am so heartened to read so many comments of folks just voting there Heart. Wow that is Great!
I am sick of voting for the lesser of two evils. I agree 100% with Pres... err um Dennis Kucinich and intend from now on to Vote from my Heart.
Mr. Keith Boykin you wrote a great piece here. You are so wrong about NAFTA :P But I enjoyed it anyway.
Props to the all the great Comments as well. wow I am starting to like this 21st century...
Liberal Journal
August 17 2007, 12:52AM
This is a great article...I'm linking to this...
The time for pragmatism is over folks. Vote what you know is right!
Derrick from Philly
August 17 2007, 2:34PM
Y'all are workin' my nerves.
One week I'm for Obama, next I'm with Edwards, then I feel obligated to Kucinich. I'm confused and fusciated and the first primary is 5 frickin' months away. Yes, you should vote for the candidate who voices your ideals and values so that she can carry delegates to the convention, and those delegates will relay your concerns when deciding the party's platform. Yes, oh, yes, I know that! But this time I want to win the White House. I don't care if they brought former Klansman Senator Robert Byrd out in his Depends diaper to carry the party's nomination, I WANT TO WIN THE WHITE HOUSE!
Oh, and my comment about Jefferson & Washington looking "gay". That's only because of the wigs. Everybody knows both of them bastards loved couchee--that is if it was of African descent.
MidwestGuy
August 17 2007, 3:18PM
WOW! This is great to hear from blacks (assuming that most are) about voting your heart or someone who shares your interest. I do have a question which may be too late to answer: What views/visions did Al Sharpton have that differed from your own? Was he on the wrong side?
Joseph Hill
August 18 2007, 12:54PM
EXCELLENT post, Mr. Boykin! It gladdens my heart to hear from so many who are committed to voting their hearts instead of following the herd. Progressives are tired of being bullied and scared into voting for candidates they don't respect.
As one post suggests, this is a moment in our nation's political history when MANY people have had enough of the timid and lackluster Democratic field...when they are SO angry at "business-as-usual" political games that they COULD be persuaded to vote for a genuine progressive. After all, polls show that Dennis K.'s positions on the issues are perfectly in synch with the popular mood, on healthcare, on Iraq, on candidates who lie down in response to what they read as 'conventional wisdom'.
I've never heard so many people cursing Bush & Co, while allowing the 'top tier' Dems to endorse, essentially, the same old policies as the Republicans. Our job is to publicize DK's platform, and to discourage voters from second-guessing how others will vote.
John
August 18 2007, 8:40PM
I have liked Dennis from the get-go! He reminds me in values and passion of Paul Wellstone, deceased Senator from Minnesota.
I thought Dennis far outshined his competition during the HRC/LOGO sponsored debate.
Thanks Keith for your thorough review highlighting Dennis' vision!
JulieDee![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
August 19 2007, 2:41PM
¡Santa Maria, Madre de Dios! When will I ever have a hispanic candidate to choose from, eh? I'm not going to hold my breath till then... by the time that happens my progeny will be WHITE! LOL! About the same time that happens we'll have a straight shooter like Denis Kucinichin the White House!
hottdogg![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
August 19 2007, 10:54PM
If you like DK, vote for him. I'll tell you why you won't be wasting your vote. Put the pictures of all the democratic contenders on the wall, with the exception of Kucinich, blindfold yourself and throw a dart. The point I'm trying to make is that it doesn't matter. They are all puppets of corporations. The only one running who can't be bought is Dennis Kucinich.
David
August 20 2007, 1:04PM
Candidates always need money.
The reason Clinton and Obama are seen as front runners before a vote is cast is because they've raised the most money.
Support your candidate now with money and vote for them when the time comes.
I'm sending out my first check today.
ChicagoChild
August 21 2007, 2:19PM
You know, I'm going to make a lot of money betting online. That's because the next president will be a White republican male. His name is Mitt Romney.
I have never placed a bet before with these online betting web sites, but I am so sure of myself, that I might as well make some money betting for once.
I would like Kucinich or Obama to win, but they won't. America hasn't straighted out the problem with the vote machines, and the candidates ain't talkin or complaining about it! Hilary is too polarizing----plus one gets the feeling that she says what the polls want her to say.
Mark my words! You will have a Mormon president come election day.
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