Specifically, I was drinking a Bud Light while he was doing the talking.
I want to thank the Democratic Club of Carlsbad and Oceanside for holding their Annual DEMCCO Fundraiser. I had some excellent discussions with several DEMCCO members. Fun group!
Dennis focused on Universal Healthcare and Workers Rights while commenting on US War Policy and our debt with China amongst other issues. His 15-minute discussion on policy had more meat to it than most other candidates bite off during the entire primary....
Kucinich compared his fight for Universal Healthcare to his fight blocking the Cleveland Electric Company from buying Muni Light (a municipal power department) while Mayor of Cleveland. Pharmaceutical and medical costs are straining our nation. And in order for many families to make it by, they’ve got to count pennies. Dennis recalled, with great detail, his memories as a 7 year old watching... hearing coins hit the table... as his parents counted pennies on the kitchen table in order to pay bills.
This struck a cord with me. I’m a white-collar worker and on occasion my wife and I have hesitated to take a sick child to the Emergency Room rather than wait ‘till morning for the general practitioner or PA. Yeah, I’ve actually considered risking my own kid’s health over an $80 difference in HMO co-pay. And that’s on top of my weekly medical insurance contribution and my company’s weekly insurance contribution. Luckily, $80 to me is not the difference between making a rent payment or putting food on the table. Can you imagine being the father that won’t take a sick child to the ER because he might not have enough for rent at the end of the month? The richest nation in the world and we allow that.
Regarding Workers Rights, Dennis proclaimed (as during the Labor Debate) that he would rescind WTO and NAFTA during his first week as President. WTO/NAFTA have decimated American manufacturing while increasing our trade deficit. We export US jobs and US Dollars to countries that ignore human rights, worker rights, and environmental rights.
Why else would off shore labor be so cheap? About 15 years ago I was union. I didn’t really pay attention or get it back then. Until recently, I was prone to be bitter when Unions staged strikes or walk outs. But in the long run, the rights those unions fight for are rights that I’ve got and don’t want to loose either. Moreover, those unions serve as a buffer to my own quality of life. Those unions fall, those manufacturing jobs fall, and my job will be the next corporate target. Heck they’re already shipping engineering and IT jobs to India. It’s already happening.
Not to be excessive, you Kucinich supporters already know what he’s about. Anyone that’s undecided can check out the links for more details. I wanted to make some comments on what I observed today.
Dennis is in his arena when speaking on the issues. What helps, is that he never has to pause, he knows where he stands, and he’s detail oriented with specifics. Kucinich isn’t tied down to special interest lobbies, or side stepping any issues. His focus on detail is on par with Gore’s lecture on Global Warming and reminiscent of Perot’s discussion on finances. (Before I get flamed, I’m only drawing a parallel with their ability to drill-down to specifics, right or wrong)
Kucinich was direct with the issues. Everyone in attendance knows exactly where Kucinich stands and what he will do. Kucinich has literally walked the walk having grown up as the oldest of 7 siblings and never having a house to call home. As a child he lived at over 20 different addresses and on several occasions lived out of a car. When corporations, even the mafia, tried to bully him, he didn’t back down while Mayor. He stood up for his us regardless of the political fallout or risk to his life. Kucinich will put me, my family, and America first before his political career.
Democrats are coming out of the woodwork, BU$HCO has seen to that. Never in history have so many people been so pissed off at a President and his administration. On top of that 60-80% of 3rd party voters are expected to break rank and vote DEM. In short, we’re going to have a Democrat in the White house. We don’t need to settle for a corporate backed or soft candidate just to win votes. We will have the votes! Its up to us to put the candidate with the best policy and ideals on the ticket. This is, at least to me, a once in a lifetime opportunity to hire the best President and not settle or compromise for anything less.
Dennis is concise and direct with the issues. A NO BS candidate that gives me hope for my future and the future of my children.
There’s a tip jar below for those willing to give. Please post comments if inclined, but for the MTV generation, please lay off the short crap. His wife will be the best looking 1st lady ever and Kucinich on a bad day still looks better than Carter ever did.
Official Kucinich Site
Wikipedia Entry- fighting for decades
Good DK diary with video