Finally: political propaganda I am proud to disseminate. (And thank the goddess! If I had gotten another missive from Shrub or Demublican Dickie Gephardt, I would've plotzed.)
The following letter, which comes from a coalition of creative, progressive types, urges you to do the right thing — to support the one true, smart progressive candidate now running for US president, Dennis Kucinich.
We write you as artists and activists who believe the Democratic Party is at a turning point. Jim Hightower says it best — when asked what he thinks of third parties, he says: "I'd settle for a second party." So would we.
We want a Democratic Party that offers a real alternative to the Bush Administration agenda of corporatism and war.
We want Democrats to stand up against the Bush Administration's war in Iraq, and the continuing occupation which is so costly in lives and resources.
We want a Party that stands up for genuine universal health coverage and for expanded educational opportunities and environmental cleanup paid for by cuts in the bloated Pentagon budget. Our country's military spending now rivals that of all other countries in the world combined. Yet most Democratic presidential candidates have declared the Pentagon off-limits to cuts.
We want a Party that challenges NAFTA, the World Trade Organization and a system of global trade that enriches multinational corporations as it drives down environmental and labor standards around the world. Unfortunately, most Democratic presidential candidates supported NAFTA and/or the WTO.
We want a Party that says no to failed criminal justice policies such as the racially-biased "drug war" that has depleted state budgets while fueling the prison-industrial complex.
If you agree with us on what the Democratic Party should stand for, there is one sure way of telling the world: Support Dennis Kucinich in the Democratic primaries!
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Article comments
1 - Brian Flemming
Nat,
I like Kucinich, too. On my blog I have a photo essay on a speech he gave in L.A.
2 - Natalie Davis
Wow, Bri, those photos are awesome. They really capture the spirit of the gathering -- it really does seem that a church was the perfect site to hear Kucinich speak.
A couple of things struck me. One, this pre-"war" Kucinich quote, which comes from a statement he made in the US House on April 1:
"This war has been advanced on lie upon lie. Iraq was not responsible for 9/11. Iraq was not responsible for any role al-Qaeda may have had in 9/11. Iraq was not responsible for the anthrax attacks on this country. Iraq did not tried to acquire nuclear weapons technology from Niger. This war is built on falsehood."
and
Two, last week's words from Fernando Suarez, who dearly misses his son, Jesús: "My son died because Bush lied. ... It is time for these troops to come home. Neither my wife nor my family want more children to die in this illegal war. We are no less patriotic for wanting peace. Bush wants $87 billion for this war, but what does he give us for our schools?"
Go Dennis!
3 - Dave
The guy was sponsor of a bill to ban space-based "mind-control weapons" and "chemtrails".
Nanoo, nanoo.
4 - Eric Olsen
I have mentioned more than once my antipathy toward Kucinich, which stems from being a Clevelander, his rather convenient change of mind re abortion rights, his protectionism, etc. A lot of it sounds like pandering to me, and of course he isn't doing all that great in the polls.
BUT, I also think people should vote their conscience and not worry about the polls, which is why I don't fault Nader voters for losing the election for Gore, for whom I voted.
So go for it.
5 - Craig Lyndall
I am going to have to disagree with you Eric. Nader voters who actually wanted Nader are justified. People who voted for Nader, but really meant to vote democrat, made a big mistake. Voting with your heart would be a wonderful thing, but given the system that we know, you have to understand what you are doing when you split the vote within your own party (if you have a party.)
I know a lot of people who voted for Nader and did so, knowing they were probably stealing votes from the dems, but there were a lot of other people who voted for Nader and then said to themselves, "But I wanted Gore over Bush."
In that case, I can blame them, and voting with their heart was a mistake given the clear-cut two party system that we have. A vote for Nader, just like a vote for Perot previously, will not do anything, but split the vote in the party that the 3rd candidate matches most.
6 - Eric Olsen
That may be the practical result but at least all who do so will know that they voted for the candidate who best reflected their own views, which is not worth nothing. It is not illegitimate to figure meta-election calculations into your vote, but that strikes me as cynical and disingenuous to one's own belief. I believe in the twp party system, but I also believe that system is best served by people voting for exactly who best represents their beliefs. Having a two party system doesn't dictate WHICH two parties are on top. Remember the Whigs?
7 - Natalie Davis
Craig wrote: "People who voted for Nader, but really meant to vote democrat, made a big mistake."
I would agree with that.
"...the clear-cut two party system that we have."
But not that. Of course, I belong to neither of those two parties, so of course I wouldn't agree.
Eric wrote, "It is not illegitimate to figure meta-election calculations into your vote, but that strikes me as cynical and disingenuous to one's own belief."
Absolutely. IMO, integrity counts.
8 - Eric Olsen
Polls aren't going away because they are too effective, but the net result of incessant polling is the poll numbers become the story not the content of the candidates' positions.
I laughed and made a joke of some poll that said Kucinich had 0% of the vote (= or - 4%), when that shouldn't be the story at all. If I'm going to attack him it should be for what he stands for not for how he is doing in the polls. The only poll that counts is the vote.
Being that we have freedom of speech and a free press and all, I don't know what can be done about incessant polling, but the net results have not been good for democracy.
9 - Brian Flemming
From: "Willie Nelson"
Date: Mon Sep 29, 2003
To:
Subject: AudioPostcard from Willie Nelson
Legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson has done everything one man can do for Kucinich for President -- endorsement, public appearances, radio ads, fundraising help, and now, this audio postcard for you to enjoy and pass on to friends. Listen to Willie's musical postcard and you'll know why he supports Congressman Dennis Kucinich for president.
Before you open the postcard, please take 3 minutes to make a donation (and ask others). Tomorrow, Sept 30, is the final day of this fundraising quarter. All donations are doubled thanks to federal matching funds.
To donate: https://www.kucinich.us/contribute.php
TO LISTEN TO THE POSTCARD: http://postcards.audiogenerator.com/P001/P1183616.htm
Please forward to your friends.
10 - libhomo
If the Democrats keep nominating conservatives like the Clintons, Al Gore, and John Kerry, they will deserve to have people vote for Nader or for Green Party Candidates.
If people vote for the lesser of two evils indefinitely, we will keep getting stuck with more evils.
11 - David Bright
The correct URL to contribute to Kucinich for President 2008
12 - chuck
I cannot see any hope for America without the leadership of someone who is not in the pockets of big business. Dennis Kucinich is that hope because he is the only presidential candidate with that quality.