Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2007
Dennis J. Kucinich
1
Campaign Issues The Arts Page 76
Children's Issues Page 77
Campaign Finance Page 24
Domestic Violence Page 79
Campaign Reform and IRV Page 25
Education Page 81
Electronic Voting Page 26
Housing Page 83
Media Reform Page 28
Poverty Page 84
Open Debates Page 29
Predatory Lending Page 85
Seniors Page 86
Crime/Law Issues Vouchers Page 89
Crime Page 30
Death Penalty Page 31
Drug War Page 32
Gun Laws, Gun Rights & Violence Page 33
Mandatory Minimum Sentences Page 34 Health Issues
Marijuana Decriminalization Page 35
AIDS Page 90
Complementary and Alternative Medicine P. 91
Economic/Financial Issues
Mad Cow Disease Page 92
Manufacturing Page 45
Minimum Wage Page 46 International Issues
Outsourcing Jobs Page 47
Public Services Page 48
Aid to Africa Page 103
Taxes Page 53
International Cooperation Page 106
Hemp Page 70
Depleted Uranium Page 122
2
Torture Page 129
Veterans Page 130
Weapons and Non-Proliferation Page 132 "Health care is an essential safeguard of
human life and dignity and there is an
obligation for society to ensure that every
Race/Ethnicity Issues person be able to realize this right."
Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Chicago
Affirmative Action Page 133
Archdiocese
African American Issues Page 134
Native Americans Page 136
Our health care system is broken, and H.R.
Arab Americans Page 139 676, the Conyers-Kucinich bill, is the only
Irish-Americans Page 141 comprehensive solution to the problem. It is
Racial Discrimination Page 142 also the system endorsed by more than 14,000
physicians from Physicians for a National
Health Program. Nearly 46 million Americans
Rights Issues
have no health care and over 40 million more
Animal Rights Page 143 have only minimal coverage. In 2005 some
Civil Liberties Page 144 41% of moderate and middle income
Americans went without health care for part of
DC Statehood Page 145
the year. Even more shocking is that 53% of
Disability Rights Page 146
those earning less than $20,000 went without
Immigrants' Rights Page 147 insurance for all of 2005. In fact, the National
LGBTQ Rights Page 150 Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine
Patriot Act Page 152 estimates that 18,000 Americans die each year
Reproductive Rights Page 153 because they have no health insurance.
Voting Rights Page 154
Water as a Human Right Page 155 The American health system is quite sick.
1. Universal Health Care Pulitzer Prize journalists Donald Barlett and
James Steele, in their stunning analysis of the
health care industry, Critical Condition (2006
Dennis Kucinich is the only Presidential Broadway Books), insist that "... U.S. health
Candidate with a plan for a Universal care is second-rate at the start of the twenty-
Single Payer, NOT FOR PROFIT first century and destined to get a lot worse
Healthcare system. and much more expensive." Considering the
following facts from Tom Daschle's article for
MEDICARE FOR ALL the Center for American Progress: "Paying
More but Getting Less: Myths and the Global
The plan in embodied in HR 676 the Case for U.S. Health Reform":
Conyers-Kucinich bill, written by Dennis
Kucinich & John Conyers • Americans are The Healthiest People
in the World.
The plan covers all healthcare needs, FACT: Citizens of 34 nations live
including dental care, mental health care, longer than Americans.
vision care, prescription drugs, and long- • The U.S. is the Best Place to Get Sick.
term care - at NO extra cost! FACT: The World Health Organization
ranked the U.S. 37th in the world for
Kucinich's plan, HR 676, is supported by 78 health system performance. Countries
Members of Congress, 250 Union Locals, like Australia and the United Kingdom
and 14,000 physicians and is endorsed by rank above the U.S. Americans have
the New Hampshire Democratic Party. lower odds of surviving colorectal
cancer and childhood leukemia than
3
Canadians who do have national health with. This type of waste is easily 20%.
care. Americans also experience Also consider that 98% of Medicare
greater problems in coordination of funds are spent on medical care.
care than the previously mentioned
countries and New Zealand. IMPORTANT: The hackneyed -- and
inaccurate -- mantra of Republicans when
universal health care is introduced is to blame
trial lawyers and malpractice cases for our
• Covering All Americans Will Lead to lack of national health care. In fact, 0.46% of
Rationing. our total health spending is spent on awards,
FACT: Same-day access to primary- legal costs, and underwriting costs -- about the
care physicians in the U.S. (33%) is far same as Canada and the United Kingdom and
less available than in the United about the same amount we spend on dog and
Kingdom (41%), Australia (54%) and cat food each year. While "defensive
New Zealand (60%). Per capita medicine" may drive up the price, it hardly
spending for health care averaged accounts for our stunning health care costs.
$2,696 in countries without waiting The belief that citizens should give up their
lists and $5,267 in the U.S. right to fair legal redress for legally proven
• Global Competitiveness is Hampered medical mistakes in exchange for lower health
in Comprehensive System. care costs rings as true as the promise that if
FACT: "Health care costs are not just we must give up our civil rights to be safe
a burden and barrier to care for from terrorists.
individuals; they are taking a heavy
toll on American businesses." The Even those with coverage too often pay
strain on employers in 2005 was exorbitant rates. The current profit-driven
staggering. "The average total system, dominated by private insurance firms
premiums for an employer-based and their bureaucracies, has failed.
family plan was $9,979 in 2005 ..."
Most of our competitors in the world We must establish streamlined national health
markets finance their systems outside insurance, "Enhanced Medicare for
corporate taxes and employer Everyone." It would be publicly financed
mandates. Without Medicare for health care, privately delivered, and will put
Everyone, the U.S. will continue to patients and doctors back in control of the
hemorrhage jobs. system. Coverage will be more complete than
• We Cannot Afford to Cover All private insurance plans; encourage prevention;
Americans. and include prescription drugs, dental care,
FACT: We already spend enough to mental health care, and alternative and
have universal health care. "The truth complementary medicine.
is, we cannot afford to not reform the
health system." We spend about 50% Perhaps the clearest and most eloquent
more than the next most expensive explanation of the Conyers-Kucinich National
nation and nearly twice per person Health Insurance Bill was given on February
what the Canadians do. On May 1, 4, 2003, in Washington, D.C., by Dr. Marcia
2006 Paul Krugman explained in Angell in introducing H.R. 676. Backed by
Death by Insurance how incredibly over 14,000 doctors, this is the future of
wasteful the current system is. The American medicine.
doctor he referenced has two full-time
staff members for billing, and two "We are here today to introduce a national
secretaries spend half their time health insurance program. Such a program is
collecting insurance information on the no longer optional; it's necessary.
301 different private plans they deal
4
"Americans have the most expensive health profit" insurance companies, who make
care system in the world. We spend about money by denying health care.
twice as much per person as other developed
nations, and that gap is growing. That's not It is time to recognize that all the civilized
because we are sicker or more demanding countries have a solution that we must adapt to
(Canadians, for example, see their doctors this country. American businesses can no
more often and spend more time in the longer be competitive shouldering the entire
hospital). And it's not because we get better cost of health care. Health care is a right that
results. By the usual measures of health (life all Americans deserve.
expectancy, infant mortality, immunization
rates), we do worse than most other developed
countries. Furthermore, we are the only
developed nation that does not provide
comprehensive health care to all its citizens.
Some 42 million Americans are uninsured
(nearly 46 million today -- updated figure) --
disproportionately the sick, the poor, and
minorities -- and most of the rest of us are
underinsured. In sum, our health care system
is outrageously expensive, yet inadequate.
Why? The only plausible explanation is that
there's something about our system -- about
the way we finance and deliver health care --
that's enormously inefficient. The failures of
the system were partly masked during the
economic boom of the 1990's, but now they
stand starkly exposed. There is no question
that with the deepening recession and rising
unemployment, in the words of John Breaux,
'The system is collapsing around us.'
All of this has estranged and frightened our We must work to replace the law of force on
allies and provoked enduring enmity in the the world stage with the force of law. By
councils of other governments and the hearts showing such open disdain for the UN Charter
of citizens around the world. George Bush's and international law during the past three
foreign policies have made us new foreign years, we have become in the eyes of many
enemies. George Bush's defense policies have the primary outlaw on the world stage. If we
weakened our defenses. George Bush's disregard the law of nations, we're left with
the law of the despot, where the only
6
constraint on violence is the power and Millions of citizens of the world have taken to
ruthlessness of those who would employ it. their streets this past year to bravely protest
Rest assured, in that world we won't be the our country's launching a foolish and
only ones to use it. dangerous war whose consequences we can
still only dimly foresee. But the Department of
We must immediately move for the United Peace idea aspires to do more than just prevent
States to re-engage in the important treaties particular wars. With a Department of Peace,
that the Bush Administration has abandoned. we can articulate a vision of the future where
We must affirm and ratify treaties, beginning humanity has abolished war itself.
with:
7
corporations will continue to move jobs out of
the country and produce goods in developing
and third-world nations (with great costs to
those countries' workers and environment). In
order to buy American, we have to assure that
goods are still being produced in America.
That's why we must first cancel the WTO and
pull out of NAFTA, which have lost us
millions of jobs and spurred a soaring trade
deficit.
10
Without a warrant or probable cause, the FBI
can now search your private medical records
or access your library records. Your doctor or
local library is forbidden from notifying you
when these searches take place. The
government may search your home while you
are away and in some cases even confiscate
your property. Judicial oversight of these
measures is virtually nonexistent. These are
only a few of the PATRIOT Act's provisions
that compromise our civil liberties.
11
reason I have been a leading advocate for
early childhood education, with a special
emphasis on the support and care of low-
income infants and toddlers.
Social Security
15
just a privilege for those who happen to have Executives, it turns out, often get very special
the right job. Health care is a human right. treatment with their pension plans: more
investment choices, no lock-down restrictions,
Older Americans Act and Elder Justice generous deferred compensation plans without
requirements that they be disclosed,
Throughout my career in public service, I have guaranteed rates of return, and "golden
been a strong supporter of seniors' issues. In parachutes" when a company begins to get in
advocating for the amended Older Americans trouble. Employees, on the other hand, are
Act, I have shown my support for older treated very differently. The most egregious
Americans' need for adequate income in disparity is that during a bankruptcy, executive
retirement, the best possible physical and pension plans are totally protected from
mental health, suitable housing, long-term creditors. Employees, however, stand at the
care services (with special attention to those end of the line and must wait behind other
who wish to stay in their homes and for their creditors -- to claim what rightfully belongs to
caregivers), help for grandparents raising them for compensation that they have already
children, and efficient community services. earned! All of this must change.
7. Right-to-Choose,
Privacy and Civil Rights
Why have a Republican House and Senate
never even offered one vote proposing a The "Patriot Act" is not what American
Constitutional Amendment banning abortion? patriots have fought and died for. To allow our
If the issue were truly important to them as Bill of Rights to be nullified without judicial
anything but a wedge issue, they would have. supervision invites tyranny. The Attorney
The truth is that Republicans have hidden General has been handed unfettered power to
from an honest up or down vote on abortion wiretap, search, jail, and invade our most
and will never allow one to take place in the sacred right to privacy. The government must
Congress. Instead, they will continue fooling not be allowed, without probable cause or
well-intentioned voters who feel strongly warrant, to snoop on our communications,
about abortion that they "feel their pain," medical records, library records, and student
when clearly they do not. Even if the Supreme records.
Court were to do the unlikely and return
abortion to the states, it would merely mean The recent disclosures of the President's
that the rich could travel to blue states for refusal to follow the FISA law should worry
all Americans concerned with the dangers
17
posed by a too-powerful executive. We elect Workers' rights embody spiritual principles
Presidents, not kings, and no president is that sustain families, nourish the soul, and
above a clearly written law expressly curbing create peace. Workers' rights are human rights.
his powers.
Labor has stood almost alone while
Far more worrisome, however, is the lap dog corporations have cut wages and benefits,
Congress that we currently have -- something slashed working hours, tried to undermine
even Republican Congress people are wage and hour provisions, reneged on
sheepishly admitting. For example, only eight contracts, and jettisoned retirements through
members of Congress have been told bankruptcy strategies. The current clamor for
ANYTHING about the FISA violations and corporate accountability calls for honesty in
they are sworn to secrecy. However, when stating the numbers, and faithful custody of
they are asked if they have been told much, shareholders money.
several have acknowledged that they have
been pretty much left in the dark. There needs to be equal concern for those who
created the wealth through their labor, because
That is not a Republic in action. No people the attacks on unions are a means of
should be frightened into giving up their redistributing the wealth upwards. As union
precious rights. Recent refusals by the membership has declined, the disparity of
Attorney General to disclose whether similar wealth has increased. Since 1973, union
programs are being used against purely membership has dropped from 24% to 14%.
domestic communications should send a chill And the share of aggregate income of the
down all our spines. poor, the middle class, and the upper middle
class has declined. Congress has not passed an
The time to stop the erosion of our rights is increase in the $5.15 minimum wage, even
now. All elected officials want terrorists to be though the inflation-adjusted minimum wage
listened to and caught. Does anyone seriously is 21% lower today than in 1979.
believe that terrorists feel they can talk freely
on the phone? The misleading and duplicitous Since 1981, the share of income of the richest
response that the government can't talk about 5% of this country has increased more than
its secret programs even in secret sessions of 40%, while that of the lowest fifth has
Congress is, frankly, ludicrous. decreased more than 20%. An even starker
contrast arises. According to Business Week,
8. Balance Between Workers and the average CEO made 42 times the average
Corporations
worker's pay in 1980, 85 times in 1990 and
The hopes and dreams of the men and women 531 times in 2000. Forbes Magazine points
who sent me to Congress are the stars by out that the number of billionaires increased
which I journey. Whenever there is an from 13 in 1982 to 149 in 1996.
organizing campaign, a picket line to walk,
jobs to save, working conditions to improve, People have a right to:
laws to champion, I'm there. This is my
purpose: To stand up and to speak out on • Have a job.
behalf of those who have built this country • Have a safe workplace.
and who want to rebuild this country. This is • Get decent wages and benefits.
my passion: To raise up the rights of working • Organize and be represented.
people. Workers' rights are the key to • Grieve about working conditions.
protecting our democracy. • Strike.
• Get fair compensation for injuries on
the job.
18
• Sue if injured by negligent employers.
• Have secure pension and retirement
benefits.
• Participate in the political process.
19
philosophy of interdependence and
interconnection, which respects the
environment as a precondition for our
survival.
21
Cancel NAFTA and the WTO, replacing them
with bilateral trade agreements designed to
benefit family farmers and workers while
protecting the health of communities and the
environment. Country-of-origin labeling
would be required. Empower farmers in the
marketplace by providing incentives to join a
collective bargaining unit -- with voluntary
membership open only to active producers and
the right to bring suit in federal court if an
agribusiness doesn't bargain in good faith.
Market Concentration
Rural Communities
Our election system is in need of serious It ensures the election of the candidate
reform to expand and enrich democracy. I preferred by most voters.
support measures such as: It eliminates the problem of spoiler candidates
knocking off major candidates.
Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) It frees communities of voters from splitting
Comprehensive campaign finance reform and their vote among their own candidates.
Clean Money public financing of the public's It promotes coalition-building and more
elections positive campaigning.
Ample free television time for candidates, How IRV works:
coupled with the break-up of the media
monopolies that restrict political debate Each voter has one vote, and ranks candidates
Election Day as a holiday in order of personal choice (1, 2, 3, etc.). The
Election Day voter registration counting of ballots simulates a series of run-
25
off elections. All first choices are counted, and As citizens of the United States of America,
if no candidate wins a majority of first we are fortunate to have a voting system that
choices, then the last place candidate is designed to uphold democracy as the
(candidate with the least first-choices) is bedrock of our society. Although not flawless,
eliminated. Ballots of voters who ranked the this system serves to deliver our political
eliminated candidate are then redistributed to representatives through a process aimed at
their next-choice candidates, as indicated on creating a government of the people, by the
each voter's ballot. Last place candidates are people, and for the people. This type of
successively eliminated and ballots government is essential to our democracy and,
redistributed to next choices until one for the sake of the public interest, it must be
candidate remains or a candidate gains over preserved.
50% of votes.
Election integrity cannot be assured without
Voters have the option to rank as many or as openness and transparency. Using electronic
few candidates as they wish -- their favorite voting machines to conduct elections is
candidate first, their next favorite second, and dangerous to democracy because there is no
so on. Voters have every incentive to vote for way of ensuring their accuracy. It is
their favorite candidate rather than the "lesser imperative that there be a required voter-
of two evils," because their ballot can still verified paper trail for every election so that
count toward a winner if their first choice any errors and irregularities caused by the
loses. There also is every reason for a voter to voting machines can be discovered.
rank as many candidates as they want, since a
voter's lower choice will never help defeat one Unfortunately, there are no such requirements
of their higher choices. for the so-called "Direct Recording
Electronic" machines currently being used in
I ran my presidential campaign in line with many communities and states. With the
these reform principles. I did not take computer technology in use, there is constant
corporate PAC money. My campaign was risk of a program flaw -- or worse, tampering
financed largely through small donations, with the software, which could change votes
mostly through the Internet -- and propelled and thus change the outcome of elections.
by thousands of volunteers -- a true grassroots Without a "voter verified audit trail," meaning
campaign. a permanent record of each vote that the voter
can check to verify that it represents his or her
To learn more about Instant Runoff Voting, see intent, these changes might never be detected.
Center for Voting and Democracy
Recent studies have reported numerous very
Electronic Voting serious technical flaws in electronic voting
machines, including allowing a person to: vote
Democracy today is at risk by the very more than once, see ballots that have been cast
instrument that seeks to uphold it. Electronic on a machine, change party affiliation on
voting machines with meager security and ballots, alter the counting of votes, modify,
significant technical flaws threaten to create or even delete votes inside the voting
undermine our voting rights and thus the machines and interfere with audit logs and
reliability of the election process. Without election results. Their analysis shows that the
federal review and software testing, these voting system is far below even the most
voting machines are being marketed by minimal security standards, placing our future
companies and bought by states at an alarming elections at risk to both insider and outsider
rate. We cannot wait for Congress to pass attacks.
legislation to address this danger. We, the
people, must take action NOW to ensure the I am strong supporter and co-sponsor of H.R.
accuracy and integrity of upcoming elections. 2239, otherwise known as the "Voter
26
Confidence and Increased Accountability Act voting
of 2003." If enacted, this bill would: Floor Statements, 109th Congress:
In the News:
OpEdNews.com, 4/24/04
Kucinich calls for suspension of electronic
27
actually boost both media ratings and voter
turnout.
29
funds to police departments that continue to
practice racial profiling.
34
moral corruption and undesirable behavior.
Accepting these premises led Congress to
conclude that a federal ban on the production
and sale of alcohol would go a long way
toward reducing crime and addressing a
variety of other social problems. Within a
decade, however, Americans discovered that
the criminally enforced prohibition of alcohol
produced harmful side effects. The rise of
black markets empowered organized crime to
an unprecedented degree. In some of
America's largest cities, local governments
had been heavily corrupted by the influence of
organized crime. The black market provided
minors with easy access to bootlegged
alcohol, which was frequently of poor quality
and unsafe to drink. Faced with the disastrous
consequences of Prohibition, Congress
decided in 1933 to repeal the Volstead Act.
Since that time, the government has
implemented the much more successful policy
of focusing law enforcement efforts on
irresponsible alcohol users who endanger the
rights of others.
The rationale for continuing this draconian • Enforce penalties for those who
policy of marijuana prohibition is unclear. provide marijuana to minors.
Statistical evidence shows that marijuana use • Enforce penalties for those who
follows a pattern very similar to that of endanger the rights of others through
alcohol. Most marijuana users do so irresponsible use, such as driving
responsibly, in a safe, recreational context. under the influence.
These people lead normal, productive lives -- • Develop drug treatment programs
pursuing careers, raising families, and focused on rehabilitation, rather than
participating in civic life. In addition, incarceration.
marijuana has proven benefits in the treatment • Support the efforts of state
of numerous diseases, such as providing a governments in developing innovative
valuable means of pain management for approaches to drug policy.
terminally ill patients. In either of these • Improve drug education by
contexts, there is no rational justification for emphasizing science over scare tactics.
criminally enforced prohibitions. These • Implement a Department of Justice
unnecessary arrests and incarcerations serve program that would review the records
only to crowd prisons, backlog the judicial of, and consider for sentence reduction
system, and distract law enforcement officials or release, inmates convicted for
from pursuing terrorists and other violent nonviolent marijuana offenses.
criminals.
Market Concentration
Create new markets by actively enforcing
existing anti-trust laws and proposing new
laws to force divestiture in concentrated
markets, breaking apart monopolistic
agribusiness companies and shifting farm
economics towards higher commodity prices
for farmers. To increase competition in the
livestock industry, support a national ban on
packer ownership of livestock.
39
transition to profitable and sustainable
agriculture.
Rural Communities
Initiate a major new program of investment in
rural America, putting thousands to work
rebuilding invaluable public assets such as
schools, hospitals, libraries, swimming pools,
and parks. Teachers, doctors, veterinarians,
and other important service providers would
be offered incentives to work in under-served
areas. A variety of support mechanisms and
financial incentives would be given to local
businesses, so that locally owned businesses
have a fair chance to compete.
40
consider undesirable. It has also reduced the
number of IT jobs held by Americans.
Our country is facing twin crises: high Ironically, at the same time so many
unemployment and a decrepit infrastructure. Americans can't find work, there is so much
At the same time, millions of manufacturing work to do. The crisis of our decaying
and high-tech jobs are being shipped overseas. infrastructure is something we see every day
I have a plan that will turn our problems when we sit in traffic bound by orange barrels
around and put Americans back to work in that line our highways. It is something that
America. school children experience at their desks,
crowded together under leaking roofs. In
cities, municipal sewer systems overflow into
42
rivers, streams, and estuaries. These events The Fed currently holds about $300 billion in
occur with increasing regularity as systems Treasury securities. Transferring about $50
age. Infrastructure problems threaten our billion annually to the FBIM would still allow
productivity, our economy, our environment, the Fed to operate as it does now to add
and our health. liquidity to the system. The Fed, instead of
buying securities, would buy the mortgage
It is time to put America back to work. It is loans of the states. This way, the FBIM's
time to address the twin crises by putting finances would be integrated by the Federal
unemployed Americans to work rebuilding Open Market Committee so as not to disrupt
America's neglected infrastructure. The its ability to promote economic stability.
Kucinich plan will make that happen.
This amount would be varied, so that the
The Kucinich Jobs Plan to Rebuild funds could be used as a tool to foster stable
America economic growth. During times of economic
slowdown, the FBIM would make more loans
The Kucinich plan calls for the creation of a available to spur investment. During times of
low-cost federal financing mechanism to economic boom, the FBIM would make fewer
administer $50 billion in zero-interest loans loans available.
every year to localities for infrastructure
projects for ten years. Twenty percent of these All of the jobs within this new system would
funds would be targeted for school be living-wage jobs, because I would raise the
construction and repair. minimum wage to at least $8 an hour and
create an index so that the minimum wage
The Kucinich plan also calls for a 15% rises automatically with cost of living
reduction in the military budget, redirecting increases. If we establish both universal health
that $65 billion towards hometown security care and universal pre-kindergarten, workers
issues such as education, jobs, and health care will no longer be plagued by the high costs of
for all. health care and child care. The net savings of
these programs is enormous, and as result, I
State and local governments would continue to believe we will have a healthier society and a
issue bonds to finance infrastructure projects. more resilient economy.
But under the Kucinich plan, the federal
government would be authorized to buy those The Kucinich Plan to Keep Jobs in America
bonds. States would have to repay the
principal, but unlike normal municipal The exodus of jobs from our shores and the
borrowing, these bonds would pay zero "race to the bottom" for workers around the
interest. So, the cost of borrowing for world is an obvious result of NAFTA and the
infrastructure improvement would be reduced WTO, both of which make it impossible to
by half. place taxes or tariffs on outsourced work. The
search for countries where workers are
The federal government would hold these unrepresented and environmental rules are lax
bonds in the Federal Bank for Infrastructure must end. NAFTA, WTO, "Fast Track"
Modernization (FBIM). The bank, as an legislation, and the Free Trade Area of the
extension of the Federal Financing Bank under Americas must be rejected and replaced with
the Treasury, would administer the loans. The Fair Trade policies in which bilateral trade
loans would bear a small fee of one-quarter of agreements are negotiated to provide for living
one percent of the loan principal to cover the wages for workers and environmental
administrative costs of the FBIM. In order to safeguards. Canceling NAFTA and the WTO
provide the money for the loans, the FBIM will enable the U.S. to protect high-tech jobs
would hold a portion of the Treasury securities from outsourcing. This, plus careful
that the Federal Reserve normally holds.
43
monitoring of H-1B visa practices, will slow financed completely by ordinary individuals,
the tide of outsourcing. not large corporations. I am not beholden to
any corporate interests; there are no strings
The Bush Administration has embraced the attached. My campaigns and my work
concept of outsourcing American jobs represent all the people of our nation, not just
overseas as a new form of international trade. the wealthy elite.
Where is the patriotism in this? U.S.
companies are expected to ship 200,000 jobs a
year to India in the near future, in pursuit of
lower wages, and we have already lost a
significant fraction of our manufacturing jobs
to countries overseas. In this continued loss of
control over the development of our own
technology and materials, and the continued
loss of hundreds of thousands of American
jobs, we are creating serious threats to our
national and economic security.
48
currently give further advantages to large
corporations at the expense of small
businesses and local economies are central to
this goal.
49
farmers to earn a fair price and to provide safe,
nutritious food.
50
shortfall. In fact, merely returning the tax rates
for those averaging $1.25 million a year in
income, the top 1%, would nearly eliminate
the guessed at shortfall for the next 75 years.
55
• Get fair compensation for injuries on
the job.
• Sue if injured by negligent employers.
• Have secure pension and retirement
benefits.
• Participate in the political process.
56
The Clean Air Act has steadily improved our
air quality since 1970, but was substantially
weakened by special interests acting through
the Bush administration. While a few big
businesses reap excessive profits, average
citizens face increased health problems and
additional expenses for health care that most
can ill afford. Nearly half of all Americans are
forced to breathe unhealthy air. This should
not be tolerated under any administration.
57
power plants, we'd save three times as many without being less comfortable. Many of our
lives as are saved by seatbelts. power plants can be more efficient and
produce fewer pollutants. Mega-farms can
The Bush Clear Skies Initiative is a clear step produce much less toxic gas.
backwards for the quality of the environment Support the Kyoto Treaty to join international
and for every American. Even the EPA has efforts to decrease our emissions of
admitted that the Clear Skies Initiative will greenhouse gases and thus curb global
create more pollution from the electric power warming.
industry than if the EPA had enforced existing Work cooperatively with other nations. Air is a
programs. As written, the Clear Skies universal resource; our efforts to improve air
Initiative will allow 36% more nitrogen quality mustn't end at the U.S. borders.
oxides, 50% more sulfur dioxide, and as much
as 500% more mercury to be released into our
air. This will mean millions more asthma
attacks, heavier acid rainfalls, and more toxic
bodies of water where the fish cannot be
eaten.
61
believe that by the year 2004, over 315 million
computers will become obsolete, leaving
approximately 1.2 billion pounds of lead, 2
millions pounds of cadmium, and 4 billion
pounds of plastics in the waste stream.
64
As an environmentalist, my view is always common property of all humanity -- even
holistic and global: we need to launch a more, as the commonwealth of all humanity.
"Global Green Deal" -- a major initiative to And so my candidacy arises from a
use our country's leadership in sustainable philosophy of interdependence and
energy production to provide jobs to interconnection, which respects the
Americans, to reduce energy use here at home, environment as a precondition for our
and to partner with developing nations to survival.
provide their people with inexpensive, local
renewable energy technologies. As a citizen of I am not tied to any corporate interests that
Planet Earth, I want this project for the same would strip our forests or pollute our air or
reason I would sign the Kyoto climate change water. Throughout my career, I have worked
treaty -- because we need it for our children for structures of law that protect the
and our grandchildren. environment, and the principles that animate
my campaign are principles of sustainability.
The principles that animate my life are
principles of sustainability.
65
I'm not talking about damming up more rivers economy, and an intact ozone layer are not
and streams. luxuries, but necessities for our planet's future.
We need to subsidize the development of new The League of Conservation Voters has
energy technologies. And I'm willing to do compiled extensive information on my
that through NASA, which has been of environmental record:
singular importance to our economy by http://www.lcv.org/Campaigns/Campaigns.cf
developing technologies for propulsion, for m?ID=93
aerospace, for materials, for medicines, and
for communication. We need to fund NASA I have a 100 percent rating on the environment
in, among other areas, a mission to planet from the Public Interest Research Group:
Earth. http://www.pirg.org/score2002/ohio.html
66
air. They regulate climate and provide soil
stability and wildlife habitat, including habitat
for fish and for the pollinators of food crops.
Many modern medicines are derived from the
forest. Our very survival as a species depends
upon intact forests, yet we have destroyed
96% of our original forests.
Hemp has always been important to the U.S. Hemp Today, Hemp in Our Future
economy and was exchanged as money Hemp is the natural competition that the
throughout most of the Americas from 1631 to timber and synthetic products industries don't
the early 1800s. Both the Declaration of want you to know about. It is part of a
Independence and the Constitution of the sustainable economy that will help wean us
United States were drafted on hempen paper. from dependence on foreign energy sources.
Colonial women sewed soldiers' uniforms and This new economy will help farmers to be an
flags from the tough hemp fibers, and integral part of the restoration of rural
bagging, cordage, twines, ropes, and sails America.
were all made with hemp. Oil for lamps and
for paints was pressed from the seed. Today's hemp industry is a thriving
commercial success, despite the government's
refusal to let American farmers be a part of
71
this economic growth. U.S. retailers and farmers from enjoying the benefits of this
manufacturers annually import large quantities thriving, sustainable industry.
of hemp fiber, hemp seeds, and hemp seed oil
from Canada and other nations. Studies Related News:
commissioned by a number of U.S. states have
recommended hemp as a viable crop, and Vote Hemp Releases Voter Guide: Kucinich
legislation has been enacted in some states Scores A+
allowing farmers to grow hemp. But Federal U.S. Newswire, 2/2/04
approval is still necessary, and it is seldom
given. This is an industrial hemp issue. Dennis
knows the difference! See Marijuana
On February 6, 2004, after several years of Decriminalization.
litigation, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals permanently enjoined an attempt by
the Drug Enforcement Administration to
regulate foodstuffs containing materials
derived from hemp, opening the way to even
greater commercialization of hemp products
than exists today in the United States. The
Court held that Congress had explicitly
exempted industrial hemp from its definition
of THC in the Controlled Substances Act, and
that the DEA would have to go through well-
defined procedures to "schedule" hemp as a
controlled substance.
72
shipments. More radioactive waste will be
shipped in the first full year of repository
operations than has been transported in the
entire five-decade history of spent fuel
shipments in the United States.
Beyond the individual farm, the detrimental Organic farmers often choose to market their
impacts of industrial farming affect the health goods directly to the public through farmers
and well-being of everyone in our suburbs and markets, CSA's, and farm stands, rather than
cities. Runoff of farm chemicals and the going through the wholesale commodity
manure runoff from confined feeding markets. In 2002, after a decade of discussion,
operations (CFOs) or factory farms has the USDA took over the certification of
dramatically adverse effects on our streams, organic farms in the U.S. from the 66
rivers, and drinking water. Antibiotics in independent organic certifying agencies
animal meats are being consumed in large (which now operate under USDA rules). The
quantities by our population, which is thereby idea was to get all the certifying agencies to
made immune to the restorative effects of operate under one rule so the consumer would
these important drugs. Growth hormones, have no confusion as to what organic means.
which are linked to cancer, are being passed When the USDA took over, big agribusiness
on to unaware consumers. GMO grains are in players such as Coca-Cola, ADM, and General
almost all processed foods, with no labeling to Mills came into the game. Now the organic
inform the consumer of that fact. Because of farmers are being asked to get big or get out.
trade agreements like NAFTA, more and more But there are still many tenacious family
of our food comes from abroad. America farmers in the U.S. who are still organic but
depends upon a rich supply of diverse foods at not getting big and staying in. They do it by
a good price, but this food also needs to be selling their food locally.
completely safe. And our government is not
doing nearly enough to verify the safety of Reasons to Support Organic Farm Families
what we are eating.
Organic farms must follow stringent
Fewer than 0.002% of our cattle are ever regulations that include precise record keeping
inspected for anything. in order to become certified.
Organic farming preserves and rebuilds the
The Organic Farming Alternative soil and many farmers are concerned with
preserving endangered seeds and animals.
Organic farming produces crops without
75
relying on petroleum-based synthetic and culture in our communities. The United
pesticides and fertilizers, thereby dramatically States spends only a very small percentage
decreasing the impact of farming pollution on (less than 1/10th of one percent) of its total
the local air, soil, and water. federal budget on arts and culture, less than is
Organic farming assures us that all its spent by most industrialized nations of the
products are completely free of genetically world. As I have demonstrated in my pledge to
modified substances. the American Arts Alliance, this is something
Organic farm and production operations are that I believe should change significantly.
inspected at least annually, to ensure
compliance with all of these standards. There is a positive role that the federal
The organic farm produces an alternative to government can play in promoting arts and
chemically raised foods that may well be more culture in our communities. Investing in the
nutritious and is usually tastier, all while arts is investing in the community. There's no
giving the organic grower a decent livelihood limit to what increased funding for the arts
from farming (organic farmers usually don't could do to help impoverished communities
have to work off the farm to make ends meet). for example -- making the community more
The organic movement provides America with beautiful, building community around artistic
a new product we can export in the name of events, inspiring hope and providing a creative
human and environmental health. outlet for youth.
76
Discovery Contest (the annual Congressional pre-school (also referred to as pre-
High School Art Competition) each year. kindergarten), free of charge, for all children
who choose it. The Universal Pre-
Kindergarten Act, which I introduced in
Congress, would provide funding to states to
establish universal pre-kindergarten programs
that build on existing federal and state pre-
kindergarten initiatives.
80
those schools that are struggling and expand
public education to include pre-kindergarten
beginning at age 3 for any families that want
it, as well as tuition-free college for millions
of students.
For grades K through 12, my priorities are Since 1996, the City University of New York
based on the bedrock principle of a free, experienced annual declines in the number of
universal, and high quality public education students who were welfare recipients, from a
for every child in America. I strongly oppose high of 22,000 students in 1996 to only 5,000
initiatives that seek to undermine that welfare students in 2000. As soon as welfare
commitment and have established a strong reform passed, some recipients were even
anti-voucher voting record. I believe that we kicked out of school, some only a few months
cannot improve education by draining funding from graduation. What improved condition
from our public schools. worthy of the name of reform would create
barriers to a college degree? Congress should
In Congress, I have proposed a constitutional allow and encourage people to obtain career
amendment to codify the right of all citizens to training; work toward a college degree, GED,
equal, high-quality public education. To or other degree; or learn English. It should
achieve that goal, I support a substantial create exemptions from time limits so welfare
reinvestment in the infrastructure of our recipients aren't prevented from earning a
nation's public schools. I co-sponsored the college degree.
Better Classroom Act and the Expand and
Build America's Schools Act, two bills to help If an individual has a bachelor's degree, the
communities make needed school repairs and average yearly wage is $30,730, nearly three
expansions. I have supported additional times as much as the $11,432 that non-degree
funding for teacher training. I employees earn. A college degree translates to
a living-wage job that allows people to live
 was also an original co-sponsor of HR 935, self-sufficiently and move from welfare
the most comprehensive child care and programs for good. I believe Congress should
education bill in the U.S. Congress, allow home child care to count as an allowable
encompassing 33 federal programs to improve work activity. For women on welfare, child
child well-being and education in America. In care during evening and weekend hours is
addition to universal pre-kindergarten, I have notoriously difficult to find and is too costly
a plan to provide tuition-free higher education for a welfare recipient. In 1998, 43 states
to millions of students in state universities. reported waiting lists for child care, and only
12% of those eligible for child care are getting
There are 12 million young Americans who it. Not only does it make practical sense to
attend public institutions, colleges, and allow mothers to take care of their own
universities. They now pay, on average, over children; it makes sense for families to stay
$10,000 a year. That adds up to $120 billion a together.
82
The current Administration wants to box our urgently addressed by federal, state, and local
young people in with standardized tests and a governments.
limited focus on math and science. These
days, American students are tested to an extent The first step towards housing security is
that is unprecedented in American history and passage of the National Housing Trust Fund
unparalleled anywhere in the world. Education Act, which I cosponsored in Congress. The
must emphasize creative and critical thinking, goal of this plan is the creation of 1.5 million
not just test taking. new housing units over the next decade,
especially for low-income renters and owners,
I believe we can take our children and society using the profits generated by the Federal
in a new direction by challenging this notion Housing Administration and other federal
that education should be so limited. We ought housing agencies. These funds would be used
to be encouraging art, music, and creative for the production of new housing,
writing in our schools. In doing so, we preservation of existing federally assisted
recognize and fuel the wide range of talents housing, and rehabilitation of existing private-
our children possess. Also See: Vouchers Floor market affordable housing. New housing units
Statements, 109th Congress: Reporting of would be primarily rental units, and the focus
School Bus RR Crossings Funded H.R. 609 would be on low-income households in
Will Not Help Students Don't Let the War on mixed-income neighborhoods. The widely
Drugs Become a War on Children Students heralded success of state and local housing
Pay for Tax Cuts for the Rich trust funds shows this to be a proven method
of addressing the affordable housing crisis
while stimulating the economy.
85
It is time we listen to community groups like access and equal rights are obtained by all;
ACORN that have taken a lead in raising where health care is regarded as a human
concerns about predatory lending. Legislators right; and where the people who have lived to
across the nation can draw on the excellent see this country grow can continue to grow old
legislation passed in states like North with it in peace.
Carolina, New Jersey, and New Mexico. We
can all urge Congress to pass such legislation I encourage programs that support the public
to put the interests of homeowners ahead the good, such as community-based senior
interests of loan sharks and put a stop to services and home care. We must stop the
efforts in the executive branch to deny states predatory lending practices that have
and cities the right to protect their own victimized so many American seniors, while
homeowners. I believe we must greatly simultaneously establishing a federal Office of
expand the capacity of the FTC to penalize Elder Justice. Rights for the disabled are
offenders. It is time to build up communities, fundamental rights, for which I continue to
not tear them down. fight.
Social Security
Medicare and Prescription Drugs The Kucinich plan for Universal Health Care
is "Enhanced Medicare for All": non-profit,
The compact with America's seniors to universal, single-payer national health
provide them with health care is now at risk, insurance. It would be publicly funded health
because the new Medicare bill passed just care, privately delivered -- similar to that used
before Thanksgiving is not reforming in most of the other developed countries of the
Medicare, it is dismantling it. It is a windfall world. It will decrease total health care
for HMOs and big insurance companies and spending, while providing more treatment and
obscenely profitable drug companies -- but a services. It will remove private insurance
debacle for America's senior citizens. This bill companies from the system, along with their
does nothing to restrain the skyrocketing bloated bureaucracies, blizzards of paperwork,
escalation of drug prices. The Republican excessive executive salaries, mammoth
refusal to confront the pricing power of the advertising budgets -- and, above all, profits.
drug companies is the #1 cause of the bill's
exorbitant price tag -- $400 billion -- for Since Medicare was enacted in 1965, seniors
American taxpayers. Several studies indicate went from being the group least likely to have
that my plan for universal, single-payer health health insurance to the group most likely --
care would save at least $200 billion annually because of Medicare. Medicare has achieved
-- more than enough to provide health care and goals that Congress has not been able to
prescription drugs to all those currently left accomplish for the rest of our population, by
out. keeping millions out of poverty, increasing
access to health care, improving quality of
I have a long record of addressing issues life, and even extending life expectancy by
related to Medicare and prescription drugs in 20%. The new Medicare bill just passed will
the U.S. Congress. Recently, I co-sponsored eliminate guaranteed health care for the only
legislation to provide for a voluntary part of our population that has it. American
prescription benefit, to provide greater access seniors, however, are concerned not only with
to affordable pharmaceuticals, to negotiate fair their own health care, but with the health care
prices with pharmaceutical manufacturers, to of their children, grandchildren, and all
provide for accelerated generic drug Americans. There is no more comprehensive
competition, and to allow for the importation solution to the nightmare that is American
of prescription drugs from Canada after health care today than the one I propose and
meeting strict guidelines for safety and will stand by 'til the end.
effectiveness.
I was one of the leading voices in the U.S.
Our government must be empowered to lower Congress trying to prevent the disgraceful new
prices and impose windfall profits taxes on the Medicare bill from becoming law. Medicare
exorbitant pricing of an out-of-control drug privatization is bad for seniors, bad for
industry. retirees, bad for employers, and bad for the
economy. The only ones who benefit from this
We need a new Prescription for America, a plan are the pharmaceutical companies and
regulatory structure that puts a ceiling on drug insurance giants, who seek to continue health
87
care for profit in this country. I am fighting to As the nation watched gargantuan corporate
reverse this shameful bill and to make bankruptcies unfold at Enron and Global
Medicare a solemn contract with America's Crossing -- and the people of my 10th District
seniors again. Eventually, we should extend of Ohio watched Chapter 11 proceedings at
the essentials of the Medicare social contract LTV Steel -- we all learned to our great
not just to seniors, but to all. I believe that surprise that there are two sets of rules in this
health care should be a public good, rather arena. Corporate executives play by one set of
than a private commodity. Health care is not rules. And employees play by another.
just a privilege for those who happen to have Executives, it turns out, often get very special
the right job. Health care is a human right. treatment with their pension plans: more
investment choices, no lock-down restrictions,
Older Americans Act and Elder Justice generous deferred compensation plans without
requirements that they be disclosed,
Throughout my career in public service, I have guaranteed rates of return, and "golden
been a strong supporter of seniors' issues. In parachutes" when a company begins to get in
advocating for the amended Older Americans trouble. Employees, on the other hand, are
Act, I have shown my support for older treated very differently. The most egregious
Americans' need for adequate income in disparity is that during a bankruptcy, executive
retirement, the best possible physical and pension plans are totally protected from
mental health, suitable housing, long-term creditors. Employees, however, stand at the
care services (with special attention to those end of the line and must wait behind other
who wish to stay in their homes and for their creditors -- to claim what rightfully belongs to
caregivers), help for grandparents raising them for compensation that they have already
children, and efficient community services. earned! All of this must change.
Vouchers
89
The U.S. should invest at least $30 billion
over the next four years in the global fight
against AIDS. We must work to repeal trade
agreements that impede access to affordable
generic drugs. We must work to cause the IMF
and the World Bank to reduce and eventually
eliminate the debt that takes poor nations'
resources away from crises like AIDS. We
must focus America's leadership on addressing
and ending this epidemic.
Kucinich Statement to Congress: "Last year, federal agents raided the Women
and Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana, an
The following is a statement I recently made organization that under California state law
in Congress in arguing that doctors in legally dispensed marijuana to patients whose
California and other states that have legalized doctors had recommended it for pain and
medical marijuana should be allowed to suffering. Eighty-five percent of this
continue their work without the interference of organization's 225 members were terminally
the federal government. ill with cancer or AIDS.
"Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for "This is about compassion. The federal
yielding me the time. government should use its power to help
terminally ill citizens, not arrest them. And
"There is a context here which is worth states deserve to have the right to make their
reflecting on, and that is the law enforcement own decisions regarding the use of medical
policies of an administration which cannot marijuana. I strongly urge my colleagues to
effectively meet the challenge of international support this amendment."
terrorism, but is ready to wage a phony drug
war, including locking up people dying of
cancer simply because those poor souls seek
relief from horrible pain.
When people start getting the mental help they "By now, it is well known that drug costs are
need, not only will we be a healthier society, high and getting higher. It is also well known
but our prisons will benefit and there will that the rising costs of drugs are a major
fewer people forced to live on the streets. contributor to the spiraling cost of health care
more generally.
98
would be available to any company that "According to a report by the non-profit group
wished to manufacture the drugs. Families USA, the former chairman and CEO
of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Charles A.
"The bill would not prevent anyone from Heimbold, Jr., made $74,890,918 in 2001, not
getting a patent. But patented drugs developed counting his $76,095,611 worth of
with private funding would have to compete unexercised stock options. The chairman of
with drugs whose research and development Wyeth made $40,521,011, exclusive of his
was publicly funded, which would be difficult. $40,629,459 in stock options.
The result would be that most drug research
would be publicly funded. "And that still does not even the extravagant
spending on marketing and advertising. Right
"My bill also corrects another major problem now, when you pay for drugs, you are also
with pharmaceuticals today: The paying for all of this. Patents make it possible.
pharmaceutical companies are getting less
efficient. They are increasingly turning out "The Free Market Drug Act is a bold bill that
drugs that are less important to public health increases transparency, efficiency and, most
because they are not as profitable. For importantly, lowers the price of prescription
example, roughly 70% of new FDA approved drugs. As it stands, pharmaceuticals are
drugs are copycats or "me too" drugs which becoming increasingly out of reach. But the
are small variations on existing drugs, usually good people of Ohio not only deserve
done to reduce R&D costs and extend the accessible pharmaceuticals, they need them.
patent life of an existing drug. We should be The Free Market Drug Act, already
focusing instead on breakthrough drugs that cosponsored by my colleagues John Conyers,
require more basic research but may not be as Jose Serrano, Barbara Lee, Raul Grijalva, and
profitable. How many more Viagra knockoffs Major Owens, is a major step in the direction
do we need? Our research priorities would be of fairly priced drugs for all."
better decided by the world renowned NIH,
which houses several Nobel Laureates.
99
The plan is embodied in HR 676 the
Conyers-Kucinich bill, written by Dennis
Kucinich & John Conyers
100
More but Getting Less: Myths and the Global health system." We spend about 50%
Case for U.S. Health Reform": more than the next most expensive
nation and nearly twice per person
• Americans are The Healthiest People what the Canadians do. On May 1,
in the World. 2006 Paul Krugman explained in
FACT: Citizens of 34 nations live Death by Insurance how incredibly
longer than Americans. wasteful the current system is. The
• The U.S. is the Best Place to Get Sick. doctor he referenced has two full-time
FACT: The World Health Organization staff members for billing, and two
ranked the U.S. 37th in the world for secretaries spend half their time
health system performance. Countries collecting insurance information on the
like Australia and the United Kingdom 301 different private plans they deal
rank above the U.S. Americans have with. This type of waste is easily 20%.
lower odds of surviving colorectal Also consider that 98% of Medicare
cancer and childhood leukemia than funds are spent on medical care.
Canadians who do have national health
care. Americans also experience IMPORTANT: The hackneyed -- and
greater problems in coordination of inaccurate -- mantra of Republicans when
care than the previously mentioned universal health care is introduced is to blame
countries and New Zealand. trial lawyers and malpractice cases for our
• Covering All Americans Will Lead to lack of national health care. In fact, 0.46% of
Rationing. our total health spending is spent on awards,
FACT: Same-day access to primary- legal costs, and underwriting costs -- about the
care physicians in the U.S. (33%) is far same as Canada and the United Kingdom and
less available than in the United about the same amount we spend on dog and
Kingdom (41%), Australia (54%) and cat food each year. While "defensive
New Zealand (60%). Per capita medicine" may drive up the price, it hardly
spending for health care averaged accounts for our stunning health care costs.
$2,696 in countries without waiting The belief that citizens should give up their
lists and $5,267 in the U.S. right to fair legal redress for legally proven
• Global Competitiveness is Hampered medical mistakes in exchange for lower health
in Comprehensive System. care costs rings as true as the promise that if
FACT: "Health care costs are not just we must give up our civil rights to be safe
a burden and barrier to care for from terrorists.
individuals; they are taking a heavy
toll on American businesses." The Even those with coverage too often pay
strain on employers in 2005 was exorbitant rates. The current profit-driven
staggering. "The average total system, dominated by private insurance firms
premiums for an employer-based and their bureaucracies, has failed.
family plan was $9,979 in 2005 ..."
Most of our competitors in the world We must establish streamlined national health
markets finance their systems outside insurance, "Enhanced Medicare for
corporate taxes and employer Everyone." It would be publicly financed
mandates. Without Medicare for health care, privately delivered, and will put
Everyone, the U.S. will continue to patients and doctors back in control of the
hemorrhage jobs. system. Coverage will be more complete than
• We Cannot Afford to Cover All private insurance plans; encourage prevention;
Americans. and include prescription drugs, dental care,
FACT: We already spend enough to mental health care, and alternative and
have universal health care. "The truth complementary medicine.
is, we cannot afford to not reform the
101
Perhaps the clearest and most eloquent "Mainstream" writers like Ph. D. economist
explanation of the Conyers-Kucinich National and columnist for the New York Times Paul
Health Insurance Bill was given on February Krugman now agree with those doctors and
4, 2003, in Washington, D.C., by Dr. Marcia Dennis that "covering everyone under
Angell in introducing H.R. 676. Backed by Medicare would actually be significantly
over 14,000 doctors, this is the future of cheaper than our current system." They all
American medicine. recognize that we already spend enough to
provide national health care to all but lack the
"We are here today to introduce a national political courage to make the tough decision
health insurance program. Such a program is that doctors, nurses, and medical professionals
no longer optional; it's necessary. must run our health care system -- not "for-
profit" insurance companies, who make
"Americans have the most expensive health money by denying health care.
care system in the world. We spend about
twice as much per person as other developed It is time to recognize that all the civilized
nations, and that gap is growing. That's not countries have a solution that we must adapt to
because we are sicker or more demanding this country. American businesses can no
(Canadians, for example, see their doctors longer be competitive shouldering the entire
more often and spend more time in the cost of health care. Health care is a right that
hospital). And it's not because we get better all Americans deserve.
results. By the usual measures of health (life
expectancy, infant mortality, immunization
rates), we do worse than most other developed
countries. Furthermore, we are the only
developed nation that does not provide
comprehensive health care to all its citizens.
Some 42 million Americans are uninsured
(nearly 46 million today -- updated figure) --
disproportionately the sick, the poor, and
minorities -- and most of the rest of us are
underinsured. In sum, our health care system
is outrageously expensive, yet inadequate.
Why? The only plausible explanation is that
there's something about our system -- about
the way we finance and deliver health care --
that's enormously inefficient. The failures of
the system were partly masked during the
economic boom of the 1990s, but now they
stand starkly exposed. There is no question
that with the deepening recession and rising
unemployment, in the words of John Breaux,
"The system is collapsing around us."
Cuban Embargo
104
abundantly clear that the Bush Administration
wanted him gone.
105
us. America has maintained into perpetuity an
obsession with overwhelming U.S. military
superiority. We have insisted that everyone
else adhere to rules of international order that
we have no intention of following ourselves.
We have demonstrated a contempt for
international organizations and any
multilateral constraints whatsoever on the
employment of American power.
7. Reconstruction and Jobs. Restart the failed 12 .International Truth and Reconciliation.
reconstruction program in Iraq. Rebuild roads, Establish a policy of truth and reconciliation
bridges, schools, hospitals, and other public between the people of the United States and
facilities, houses, and factories with jobs and the people of Iraq.
job training going to local Iraqis.
In 2002, I led the effort in the House of
8. Reparations. The US and Great Britain have Representatives challenging the Bush
a high moral obligation to enable a peace Administration's plans to go to war in Iraq. I
process by beginning a program of significant organized 125 Democrats to vote against the
reparations to the people of Iraq for the loss of Iraq war resolution. The analysis I offered at
lives, physical and emotional injuries, and that time stands out in bold relief for its
damage to property. There should be special foresight when compared to the assessments
programs to rescue the tens of thousands of of many who today aspire to national
Iraqi orphans from lives of destitution. This is leadership. Just as the caution I urged four
essential to enable reconciliation. years ago was well-placed, so the plan I am
presenting today is workable, and it responds
9. Political Sovereignty. Put an end to to the will of the American people, expressed
suspicions that the US invasion and this past November. This is a moment for
occupation was influenced by a desire to gain clarity and foresight. This is a moment to take
control of Iraq's oil assets by A) setting aside a new direction in Iraq. One with honor and
initiatives to privatize Iraqi oil interests or dignity. One which protects our troops and
other national assets, and B) by abandoning rescues Iraqi civilians. One which repairs our
efforts to change Iraqi national law to relationship with Iraqis and with the world.
facilitate privatization. Thank you.
114
As we watch our brothers and sisters suffer
and die, we shouldn't be asking which side to
join, which side to strengthen so as to defeat
the other. The question is, how can we use our
power to foster healing and reconciliation?
The power and faith of the American people
has been used that way in the past in that part
of the world, particularly by President Carter
and President Clinton. Today we need to call
on that spirit and go with it further than ever
before.
Because the 20-year resurgence of sweat This is called "free trade." But where is
shops has been the by-product of a well freedom when jobs are lost? Where is freedom
crafted campaign to enrich multinational when industries threaten to move out of the
corporations at the expense of employees, it country unless wages are cut? Where is
will take a strong commitment and plan to freedom when the right to bargain collectively
reverse the free fall of workers. I have both the is crushed? Where is freedom when a union is
commitment and a plan. Workers' rights are broken? Where is freedom when you can't
truly human rights, whether they apply to the make a mortgage payment? Where is freedom
maquila in Mexico or to workers in Saipan or when you can't send your children to college?
New York's Chinatown. An economic democracy is a precondition of a
political democracy. Where is freedom?
The notion of a minimum wage must be
replaced by the right to a living wage -- It is time to reclaim state and local
everywhere. sovereignty, which NAFTA has usurped. No
NAFTA, no Fast Track Authority. Fast track is
a barrier. Fast track brought us NAFTA. It
prohibits amending trade agreements. We
could not amend NAFTA Chapter 11, which
grants corporate investors in all NAFTA
countries the right to challenge any local,
state, or federal regulations, which, those
corporations say, hurt their profits. No more
back track on democracy. No more back track
Trade on workers' rights. No more back track on
human rights. No back track on the Bill of
If the United States is to be free to negotiate Rights.
fair trade agreements that protect jobs, the
rights of workers, and the environment, then
117
The Bush administration wants to extend It is an outrage that President Bush is
NAFTA throughout the Western Hemisphere proposing to cut core funding for overseas
through the Free Trade Agreement of the humanitarian aid while millions worldwide
Americas (FTAA). This proposal is being face the threat of hunger. The United States
pushed by the administration and its should fully fund efforts to eradicate hunger
Republican allies in Congress and the by dramatically increasing our allocation to
corporate world, although it is opposed by the UN World Food Program, whose work
many leaders throughout Latin America. saves countless lives in over 80 countries,
through school feeding projects, nutrition
The only way to undo the damage these trade programs for HIV/AIDS sufferers, refugee
deals have caused is to end them. If the United food relief, and many other vital tasks.
States is to be free to negotiate fair trade
agreements that protect jobs, the rights of Drop the Debt
workers, and the environment, then there is no
alternative but to withdraw from the WTO. If Poor countries facing widespread hunger are
our agriculture, textiles, and other industries being ravaged by debt payments to global
are going to be able to help pull the world up, institutions like the International Monetary
rather than being dragged down to the level of Fund and World Bank. $2.5 billion is
serfdom or exported abroad, we must put an transferred every year from Sub-Saharan
end to the disaster known as the WTO. Africa to foreign bankers and creditors, while
40% of its population experiences some form
The NAFTA and WTO treaties include legal of malnutrition. We should push for the
clauses permitting the signatory countries to immediate cancellation of all bilateral debts of
withdraw from them at any time, following a countries facing hunger, as well as
routine notification period. The President cancellation of debts to the IMF and World
should invoke these withdrawal clauses and Bank.
once and for all take America out of an unfair
system of corporate trade. We should return to Swords into Plowshares
bilateral trade conditioned on workers' rights,
human rights, and environmental quality President Eisenhower once observed: "Every
principles. This would provide security for gun that is made, every warship launched,
American workers and for workers worldwide. every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a
theft from those who hunger and are not fed,
We need a new start. We must begin from those who are cold and are not clothed." This
scratch with decent, bilaterally negotiated year our nation will spend over $360 billion
trade agreements between this country and on the Pentagon, but barely more than $1
each other country we trade with, agreements million on food aid for the world's hungry. It
that are based from the start on the needs of is time the U.S. set an example for the world
people and communities. by proposing a 15% cut in the military budget
to help meet pressing social needs, including
hunger, both abroad and at home. I have
proposed a bill to establish a Department of
Peace to mediate international conflicts,
negotiate arms control agreements, and
promote nonviolence, so that other nations can
devote resources to the fight against hunger,
World Hunger not the arms race.
Foreign Aid
118
acting like an Empire, unilaterally
undermining international agreements such as
the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The ABM
treaty first entered into force October 3, 1972,
between the U.S. and former USSR to
constrain the Parties from deploying territory-
wide defenses against strategic ballistic
missiles.
A Department of Peace can look at the For more information about efforts to establish
domestic issues that our society faces and a Department of Peace, see The Peace
often ignores as we focus on matters Alliance.
internationally. We have a problem with
violence in our own society, and we need to http://www.thepeacealliance.org/
look at it and address it in a structured way.
Domestically, the Department of Peace would
address violence in the home, spousal abuse,
child abuse, gangs, and police-community
relations conflicts, and would work with
individuals and groups to achieve changes in
attitudes that examine the mythologies of
cherished world views, such as "violence is
inevitable" or "war is inevitable." Thus, it will
help with the discovery of new selves and new
paths toward peaceful consensus.
121
remediation. Also, we must develop a program
to provide care and restitution for people
suffering as a result of the United States' use
of depleted uranium munitions, nuclear
weapons, nuclear weapons production, nuclear
testing, and uranium mining.
The United States is talking about sending in Historian Barbara Tuchman wrote a book
more troops to Iraq. We already know that our some of you may be familiar with called "The
government has extended the tour of duty for March of Folly," where she traced throughout
members of the armed service. That they have human history how governments pursued what
sent people back for a second tour when they they fully knew to be the wrong course of
124
action, but once it proved to be wrong, they Few politicians have the courage to raise the
kept doing it anyhow. She described it as a obvious questions of the military industrial
kind of "wooden-headedness." complex that President Dwight Eisenhower
warned us about and which no one else seems
"Wooden-headedness, the source of self- to see. While we spend approximately what
deception, is a factor that plays a remarkably the rest of the world combined does on their
large role in government. It consists in military (with most of the big spending
assessing a situation in terms of preconceived nations our allies!), we have tremendous
fixed notions while ignoring or rejecting any waste. While many retired generals and
contrary signs. It is acting according to wish admirals have stated that at least 15% waste
while not allowing oneself to be deflected by could be cut from past military budgets,
the facts. It is epitomized in a historian's politicians seem to panic when the
statement about Phillip II of Spain, the administration refers to the military budget as
surpassing wooden-head of all sovereigns: 'No our "security" budget.
experience of the failure of his policy could
shake his belief in its essential excellence.'" Does anyone seriously believe that the Iraq
-- Barbara Tuchman, "The March of Folly" War is a defensive war against an enemy that
struck us or would have struck us?
This country surely knows that we've gone in
the wrong direction in Iraq. But we're Most Americans now realize that using 19
somehow committed to continuing it. We're hijackers armed with knives or box cutters as a
putting in more troops, more resources, pretext for a war in Iraq or for trillions of
running the risk of precipitating a holy war in dollars of additional defense expenditures
that region, and setting this country on a path makes no sense and is about as honest as was
of separating ourselves from the world the case for war. The terrorists have no
community. submarines, planes, or armies. Yet, a small
group of fanatics with small arms has been
It's time for this nation, Democrats and used to justify some $5,000 per taxpayer per
Republicans alike, to come together and year in military expenditures. It is likely that
oppose all efforts to reinstate the draft. For the the war in Iraq will cost each taxpayer about
sake of our children and our future, we must $15,000 above that.
end this wrongful war.
Militarism not only invites military solutions
to diplomatic problems, but also destroys the
economic dreams of countless families and
ultimately sabotages our entire economy, as
Chalmers Johnson points out in The Sorrows
of Empire.
This budget chooses war over health care, tax "We have failed to discard the outmoded 'force
cuts over education, special interests over the on force' military philosophy driving today's
needs of the nation, and rich over poor. military thinking, planning and spending. So
we end up with fighter jets at $320 million a
125
copy, $3 billion submarines, $13.5 billion must contribute to broader foreign policy
aircraft carriers. Try to connect the dots objectives, and complement our domestic
between these weapons and what is needed to priorities.
fight guerrillas, terrorists and fringe religious
fanatics. Don't spend too long trying to Since the 1970s, the Democratic Party,
connect the dots. They don't connect. It's plain especially its progressive wing, has been put
irrational, and it's all driven by the confluence on the rhetorical and political defensive on
of power among members of Congress, the national security issues. Conservatives have
president, and powerful defense contractors sought to portray their opponents as weak on
and their lobbyists. That's the group President defense, and have denigrated legitimate
Dwight D. Eisenhower aptly labeled the differences of opinion as naivete or disloyalty.
military-industrial complex so many years
ago. It's the military industrial complex that The attacks of September 11 and the
drives senseless Pentagon spending. To feed consequent "War on Terror" have allowed the
the military industrial complex, we are under- Bush administration to frame the national
funding education for our children, under- security debate as it sees fit. The attack on Iraq
funding health care for millions of Americans, was portrayed as a part of this war, despite a
under-funding environmental needs and much lack of any credible evidence linking Saddam
more. In turn, this is threatening the quality of Hussein to al Qaeda. At the same time,
life for most Americans and adversely budgets for defense programs across the board
affecting our ability to compete globally. have been greatly increased, with no reference
That's bad for national security. Passage of to, or debate regarding, their relevance to the
Woolsey's bill, called the Common Sense war against those who attacked us. The
Budget Act, would also eventually level the perception of an ongoing emergency has made
slippery slope the military industrial complex many Democrats hesitant to take on the
has put this nation on. And that's really good administration, in an area that effectively has
for national security." been surrendered to the Republicans.
Jack Shanahan, a retired Navy vice admiral, The current administration clearly believes
lives in Ormond Beach. He heads the Military that international terrorism can be defeated
Advisory Committee of Business Leaders for solely through military, law enforcement, and
Sensible Priorities. intelligence actions, without addressing the
underlying foreign policy issues that, while in
We must cut bloated and unneeded weaponry no way justifying the attacks on us, certainly
from a military budget that now almost equals contribute to explaining them. This is a
the military spending of all other countries prescription for war without end, for
combined. The resulting peace dividend can exacerbating anti-Americanism and winning
then be invested in education, health care, more recruits to al Qaeda, and for continuing
environmental clean-up, urban infrastructure, to alienate our friends and allies worldwide.
Social Security, veterans' benefits, and other The reluctance of Congress and the public to
pressing domestic needs. criticize the President during wartime (which,
given the nature of terrorism, could be defined
National Security by the White House as lasting indefinitely)
also facilitates the accomplishment of this
The current administration's national security administration's domestic agenda, including
doctrine, with its reliance on preventive war as the erosion of civil liberties and economic
a standard instrument of policy, is making the policies blatantly favoring the wealthiest
world more dangerous. We must reject this among us.
approach, and develop and communicate to
the American people our own vision of My vision of national security ties together not
national security. National security policy only military but diplomatic, economic, and
126
human rights polices, and views the use of the Bush Administration's Nuclear Posture
military force as a last resort. Building the link Review, which is a strategy for nuclear
between domestic and defense issues, I proliferation. We must assure the world
believe that this country is more secure when community that the United States will not be
the largest possible number of its citizens have the first to use nuclear weapons.
a stake in its success, when decent education, Cancel all U.S. nuclear weapons programs.
healthcare, and housing contribute to We must work to put an end to the
productive lives for everyone. development of any new nuclear weapons, to
the manufacture of any nuclear weapons, and
The U.S. military is the strongest in the world, to any plans to test nuclear weapons.
by far, and will remain so. We need to Stop the use of all depleted uranium
recognize the accomplishments of, and munitions. We must order an end to the United
hardships experienced by, our men and States' use of depleted uranium munitions. We
women in uniform. My position on pay and must lead an international effort to recover
benefits, for both active duty military and depleted uranium. We must promote
retired veterans, reflects this recognition. The environmental remediation. We must develop
Kucinich approach to national security is anti- a program to provide care and restitution for
militarist, not anti-military. people suffering as a result of the United
States' use of depleted uranium munitions,
National security must be defined in terms nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons production,
much broader than size of the defense budget, nuclear testing, and uranium mining.
or number of carrier battle groups, fighter Ban all nuclear weapons testing by the United
aircraft, or infantry divisions. Unfortunately, States. We must enact a new policy banning
the response of many Democrats has been to nuclear testing and work to ratify the
paint their canvas in a Republican frame, to Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
accept the need for vastly higher budgets and Open talks with all nuclear powers. The U.S.
assertive use of military force, with minor must begin new talks with Russia, China,
fine-tuning. It is time to redefine the Britain, France, India, Israel, and Pakistan to
argument, to convey to the public that develop a plan aimed at the complete
effective multilateral institutions, appropriate elimination of nuclear weapons. The first step
economic aid, principled foreign policy, and should be to suspend all "readiness" levels of
support for arms control regimes buy us more nuclear weapons systems, including those of
real security than launching preventive attacks the United States.
or further increasing the Pentagon budget. Encourage participation in the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty. We must encourage all
nations to actively participate in the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty and meet personally
with the leaders of India, Israel, and Pakistan
to request that they sign as non-nuclear
weapons states. The President must also meet
personally with Kim Jong Il to encourage
Nuclear Weapons North Korea to rejoin the community of
nations through reaffirming its participation as
The United States must take the following a non-nuclear weapons state.
steps to promote world peace: Discourage nations from acquiring nuclear
weapons. We must work with the nations of
Lead the way toward the complete elimination North Korea, Iran, Algeria, Sudan, Syria, and
of nuclear weapons from the earth. Our goal others to discourage the acquisition of nuclear
should be a steady movement toward complete weapons capability.
nuclear disarmament. Reinstate the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and
Renounce first-strike policy. We must set aside cancel the Ballistic Missile Defense. We must
127
work with Russian President Vladimir Putin to We cannot hope to end terrorism by killing
reinstate the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The terrorists. Hatred feeds on violence and
treaty prevents both the United States and killing. I understand this and am here to offer
Russia from developing nationwide ABM a more practical approach: to reduce poverty
defense systems and limits employment of worldwide with bold changes in current U.S.
new ABM technologies. Consequently, the policy. NAFTA and the World Trade
ballistic missile defense program must be Organizations have only served to increase
cancelled. global poverty, thus deepening one of the most
Meet all requirements of the Nuclear Non- virulent causes of terrorism. This is why I am
Proliferation Treaty. We must work to ensure calling for immediate cancellation of NAFTA
that the United States leads the world again in and U.S. withdrawal from the WTO. For the
fulfilling all requirements of the treaty. This sake of justice and wellbeing, it is time we
means the United States must negotiate the established bilateral fair trade agreements that
complete elimination of its nuclear arsenal. contain strict provisions for workers' rights,
Commit to greatly expanding inspections. We human rights, and environmental principles.
must work with the 188 signatories of the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the World opinion, which fuels much of the
International Atomic Energy Agency to terrorism against the United States and threats
greatly expand the use of inspections in all of terrorism, could easily be turned to
nations. America's advantage with less force and more
Lead an international effort to bring terrorists diplomacy, undergirded by an understanding
to justice. The United States must participate that "We share this fragile planet and are our
in a cooperative world effort to track down brother's keeper." This is why I believe it is
terrorists who are seeking to acquire nuclear imperative that we pull our troops out of Iraq,
weapons capability. where we are only worsening the quagmire
and losing more soldiers and innocent
civilians each day, and bring in UN
peacekeepers for a rapid transition to Iraqi
sovereignty. By reaching out and rejoining the
world community, we can wage peace to
simultaneously combat terrorism. The United
States must develop a deep understanding of
the cause-and-effect relationship between
history and acts of terror. America's goodwill
has been misused by previous administrations,
leading to a growing divide between us and
our allies and growing mistrust and hatred for
the United States among the world's most
oppressed populations. There is another path
for this nation; it is up to us to choose it.
Terrorism
128
the "intelligence" obtained by torture that
there were WMDs in Iraq demonstrates that
people who are being tormented will say
anything to make the pain go away. We know
of at least 28 prisoners that were killed during
interrogation during our recent wars. One was
a high-ranking Iraqi officer who, apparently,
was not providing enough "actionable
intelligence" on WMDs. While God may
forgive us for our actions, others nations are
not as generous.
131
all nuclear weapons.
Our nation must:
132
action policies. And I continue the fight for
diversity and civil rights. Until America is
truly a level playing field, affirmative action
will be essential to achieving those goals.
Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is right, it is necessary, and
it must be preserved. I supported the Supreme
Court's decision allowing colleges and
universities to use race and ethnicity as an
admission factor. In Congress, I joined with
110 representatives to file a friend of the court
brief in defense of the University of
Michigan's affirmative action policies. And I
continue the fight for diversity and civil rights.
Until America is truly a level playing field,
affirmative action will be essential to
achieving those goals.
Racial bias in the enforcement of drug laws is In addition, the economic policies dictated to
pervasive. According to a Human Rights poor countries by the IMF and the World Bank
Watch report based on FBI statistics, blacks -- so-called "structural adjustment programs"
were arrested on drug charges at nearly five -- have devastated Third World economies.
times the rate of whites. Drug use is consistent Last year's food crisis in Malawi, where as
across racial and socioeconomic lines -- yet in many as several thousand died of hunger,
the state of New York, for example, 94% of followed IMF-mandated cutbacks in
incarcerated drug offenders are Latino or agricultural aid to small farmers and food
African-American, mostly from poor subsidies for families. We must end this cruel
communities. betrayal of the world's hungry by working to
end structural adjustment.
Countries in Europe and elsewhere are turning
away from failed policies. They are treating Voting Rights
addiction as a medical problem and are seeing Our election system is in need of serious
significant reductions in crime and violence -- reform. Too many Americans, especially
with fewer young people becoming involved African-Americans, have been intimidated,
with addictive drugs in the first place. In our excluded, and shut out from our democracy. I
country, due to misplaced priorities and support measures such as Election Day as a
resources, only one bed exists for every ten holiday; election-day voter registration;
people who apply for drug treatment. enhanced voting rights enforcement; an end to
Addiction is a medical and moral problem that the racially-biased disenfranchisement of
should be treated by professionals, not felons who have served their time; and full
dumped on the criminal justice system. Congressional representation for residents of
the District of Columbia.
Aid to Africa
It is an outrage that President Bush is In addition, we need comprehensive campaign
proposing to cut core funding for overseas finance reform and Clean Money public
humanitarian aid, while millions in Africa and financing of the public's elections, ample free
worldwide face the threat of hunger and television time for candidates, and the break-
poverty. The United States should fully fund up of the media monopolies that restrict
efforts to improve the lives of the world's poor political debate.
by dramatically increasing our allocations to
international relief organizations such as the
UN World Food Program, whose work saves
countless lives in over 80 countries through
school feeding projects, nutrition programs for
HIV/AIDS sufferers, refugee food relief and
many other vital tasks.
4. Economic Development
5. Gaming
6. Energy Development
7. Housing
9. Education
12. Diabetes
1. Sovereignty
Many people in this country have forgotten
that Native Americans constitute this country's
First Americans, and their tribes our First
Nations. We all need to remember that Indian
tribes are sovereign nations and treaties
between the tribes and the federal government
are treaties between sovereign equals. First
and foremost, we must honor our treaties with
our First Nations.
136
violence against Indian women by non-Indians nations. Banks are not inclined to loan money
are two examples, out of many, that deserve to tribes or private corporations for enterprises
attention and reforms. We need executive on Indian lands.
orders, congressional acts, and court
appointments to erode the encroaching The federal government must take the
authority of states and the federal government initiative to ensure that worthy projects will be
over tribal sovereignty. funded, either by grants or loans, at levels that
will reasonably assure success. Assistance
It is clear to me that since the treaty times, and with economic development, leading to
even since the 1970's when tribal government sustainable self-sufficiency of tribes, must be
and sovereignty was restored, the federal the paramount feature of our federal Indian
government is on a conscious path toward the policy. The President should work with tribal
assimilation of Indian nations into the leaders, through consultation, to identify
dominant society of the colonists. I do not mechanisms to be put into effect that assist
support this policy of incremental destruction tribes with their economic goals. We can work
of Indian tribes in our country. In that spirit, I together to ensure that this becomes reality.
would streamline the recognition process for [back to top]
deserving tribes still seeking federal
recognition. [back to top] 5. Gaming
I see the current process of compacts as
2. Government-to-Government Relations infringing on tribal governments, which are
We need to strengthen the ability of federal sovereign governments. States have too much
agencies to consult with tribal governments, as control over the process and governance of
sovereign nations, whenever rule-making or casinos. The President should work with tribal
other agency activities affect or are of interest leaders to implement an Indian gaming
to tribes. The President should consult with development process that acknowledges the
Indian leaders regularly to ensure that the sovereignty of tribal governments, while also
administration is meeting the needs of respecting the gambling laws of states. [back
American Indians, Alaska Natives, and to top]
Hawaiian Natives. He should honor the
Clinton-era Executive Order requiring federal 6. Energy Development
agencies to develop Indian consultation The Federal government has failed in its
policies and maintain government-to- responsibilities as a guardian of Indian
government relationships with tribes. [back to resources and as a treaty partner; the
top] mismanagement of Indian mineral rights is
appalling. The mineral resources owned by
3. Trust Funds tribes and tribal members are theirs to use as
The trust fund is only as good as the people they deem necessary. By protecting tribal
managing it. I would overhaul the system to sovereignty and the trust fund, tribal
ensure accountability now and in the future. governments will be able to use these
Settlement of the Cobell vs Norton case needs resources free from the injustices of the past.
to be expedited in a manner that brings equity
and justice to all Indian people that have been I would like to emphasize, however, the
wronged in the past by fraudulent accounting legacy of health and environmental problems
on all levels of the bureaucracy. [back to top] from the extraction and production of uranium
and fossil fuels. I am not in favor of building
4. Economic Development more nuclear power plants and more coal fired
I understand that it is difficult to start a power plants at this time. I believe that we
business without first having the right amount should launch a national program to maximize
of capital on hand to succeed. This is why energy conservation and renewable energy
economic development is slow for Indian systems to eliminate the need for these
137
polluting facilities that harm the health of must strengthen funding and capacity of tribal
local people and the environment, and colleges and increase the numbers of tribal
contribute to global warming. The U.S. must colleges, elementary schools, and secondary
ratify the Kyoto Treaty on global warming. schools serving tribes and Indian populations.
Uranium, oil and coal reserves should be held We should also encourage the training of more
in reserve for times of real need; this is not the Indian teachers, through an economic
time. [back to top] incentives program.
141
belief that no person should be discriminated
against for any reason, anytime.
April 2006
144
help in Congress. I ran in the DC primary and
stand in unwavering support of DC statehood.
145
membership in the United State of America as As an example of commitment to these
the 51st state. Let us seek nothing less." principles, in 2004 I delayed campaigning to
stay at my post on Capitol Hill, fighting
Bush's proposal to block-grant Medicaid -- a
proposal that would have reduced support for
the community-based services on which many
Americans with disabilities depend. I have
strongly supported such services in my Ohio
district, as when I helped save the Tremont
Neighborhood Opportunity Center in
Cleveland from closure.
146
I believe our long-term service system must forces, and study at universities, the Bush
change. Recently, I became a co-sponsor of administration has waged an assault on
MiCASSA, the Medicaid Community-based immigrant's rights. Undocumented workers
Services and Supports Act of 2001, to give have been left in legal limbo, while local
people real choice in long-term care options. police forces have been pressured against their
This act aims to reform Medicaid and end the will to hunt down undocumented workers,
institutional bias, while allowing individuals which jeopardizes their relationships with
who are eligible for Nursing Facility Services immigrant communities. Thousands of
or Intermediate Care Facility Services for the immigrants have been detained in secret,
Mentally Retarded Services (ICF-MR) the denied due process, and deported.
opportunity to choose MiCASSA as an
alternative. The money will follow the In the economic sphere, undocumented
individual. workers have become convenient scapegoats.
Yet the reality, as shown in study after study,
is that they pay more in taxes than they
receive in government services.
We cannot continue with a system in which "I am a strong supporter of the USA Family
millions of workers and their families live in Act (HR 440), which was recently introduced
fear and are subject to economic exploitation. by my colleague Rep. Luis Gutierrez, chair of
There is no place in our country for second- the Hispanic Caucus's immigration task force.
class status. It is time to restore respect for the The goal of the bill is simple: It offers
rights and contributions of immigrants. immigrants a clear road map to legal status in
the United States. It grants legal permanent
Questions and Answers: residence to immigrants who have been living
in the U.S. for five or more years. It offers
In general, do you agree with the Supreme conditional legal status and work authorization
Court's decision to allow higher education to all law-abiding immigrants living in the
institutions to use race and ethnicity as a United States for less than five years. In
decision factor in student admissions? addition, the bill revokes current laws that bar
certain people who live abroad from re-
"Yes. Affirmative action is right, it is entering the U.S. for a period of three to 10
necessary, and it must be preserved. I years, as well as portions of the law that place
supported the Supreme Court's decision immigrants at risk of deportation for having
allowing colleges and universities to use race committed minor, nonviolent offenses in the
and ethnicity as an admission factor. In past. I support this bill because I believe we
Congress, I joined with 110 representatives to cannot continue with a system in which
file a friend of the court brief in defense of the millions of workers and their families live in
University of Michigan's affirmative action fear and are subject to economic exploitation.
policies. And I continue to fight for diversity There is no place in our country for second-
and civil rights. Until America is truly a level class status."
playing field, affirmative action will be
essential to achieving those goals." Do you feel bilingual education is a pedagogy
that should be used more broadly or less
Would you favor the use of the National extensively in the public school system?
Guard or other military personnel to assist in
securing U.S. borders? "I believe bilingual education is a valuable
tool to help immigrants and other students
"I oppose giving the Department of Defense with limited English proficiency. I support full
control over border security. In our federal funding of state and local bilingual
democracy, it is critical that we preserve the education programs."
distinction between our armed forces and
domestic law enforcement. Also, I am Do you believe children of undocumented
concerned about the threat of vigilantes immigrants should be allowed to pay in-state
intimidating or attacking individuals at the tuition to attend college in states where they
border. Border security is a job for state and have lived for several years and should have
local authorities, not soldiers or vigilantes." the opportunity to obtain immigration relief?
152
administrative procedures by revoking Why have a Republican House and Senate
Freedom of Information Act secrecy orders. never even offered one vote proposing a
Constitutional Amendment banning abortion?
Benjamin Franklin said: "Those who would If the issue were truly important to them as
give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little anything but a wedge issue, they would have.
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor The truth is that Republicans have hidden
Safety." In eroding our civil liberties, from an honest up or down vote on abortion
President Bush has taken our freedom while and will never allow one to take place in the
making us no safer, no better protected against Congress. Instead, they will continue fooling
terrorism. The "PATRIOT Act" is not what well-intentioned voters who feel strongly
American patriots fought and died for. As about abortion that they "feel their pain,"
Americans, we cannot allow fear and scare- when clearly they do not. Even if the Supreme
mongering to lead us to a place where we Court were to do the unlikely and return
abandon our most precious traditions. abortion to the states, it would merely mean
that the rich could travel to blue states for
abortion, while the poor would have less
access to terminating their pregnancies.
April 2006
153
African Americans, have been intimidated,
excluded, and shut out from our democracy. I
support measures such as Election Day as a
holiday, election-day voter registration,
enhanced voting rights enforcement, an end to
the racially biased disenfranchisement of
felons who have served their time, and full
Congressional representation for residents of
the District of Columbia.
Ten Principles
155
156