Let’s not let cynicism defeat us before we even try to affect real change. And if we only fight for what we already know we can win (and accept the same old status quo to boot) then what the hell are we fighting for? Is this how the Civil Rights movement was won? I don’t think so.
I have been listening carefully to all the candidates on the most important issues and Kucinich is the only one with anything meaningful to say or offer. He’s not vague and speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Probably because he is the only one who has never, his entire career, taken one dime from corporate lobbyists.



Take healthcare. All the candidates say they are for “universal healthcare” but it's all talk - empty campaign slogans - because they don't support the solution to make it happen - Single-Payer which removes private insurance.



I have spent the last 3 months studying healthcare policies and have a firm grasp on how our current system vs. single payer systems work and all the candidates “plans.” Kucinich is the only candidate who supports a Single-Payer National Healthcare Insurance plan which is the only real healthcare reform. (happy to go into great detail for anyone who wants to know why I say this).



Finally, I am fed up with the status quo and politicians who don’t deliver. We are so desperate for real change and that’s why I am voting for Kucinich and hope you will consider him as well. http://www.california4kucinich.com/


And to those who say he doesn’t have a chance I say yes he does if we all work to support him and spread the word about why he is the better choice. Why can’t the Dems finally take a strong position for real change and stand up for the candidate who stands up for US? The healthcare issue is so important that when people are informed and learn Kucinich is the only candidate offering real solution, they will get behind him. Yesterday a friend of mine and supporter and contributor of Edwards resigned from the Edwards campaign to join Kucinich because of the healthcare issue. And she did this immediately upon discovering the facts after doing her own research. And she is just one example of others that I am aware of. It’s just a matter of grassroots efforts to get the information out there.
 

Thanks for the comment, Sally. I totally agree. Anyone wanting to know more about Kucinich's healthcare plan and how it compares to that of the other candidates can hceck out OneCare here: http://www.myspace.com/onecarenoworg
 

The way I see it-- and I believe Kucinich himself would agree-- is that if he has to have media exposure in order to be elected, then maybe he'd just rather not be elected. In my opinion, Kucinich seems above the media's games. We are letting the corporations dictate who and what we see in politics. These are the very same corporations who ignore crises in Africa yet fill up 30 minute time slots with garbage about Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT SPOON FEED US POLITICS?

Some people may consider it a wasted vote, but I will vote with my heart none the same. If he isn't elected, then I will vote for the lesser of evils in the general election. Until then, I vote true.
 

I'll second that.

Plus he's short. ;)

Love the guy to death...but American's have never in Election History elected a short Presidential Candidate.
 

I think if he does'nt make it for the Presidential seat, he should run our Enviroment and Economy Dept.
 

I disagree with a few of Pat's statements. I do believe that Kucinich is proposing a change. In one of the videos, he speaks of rallying the American people around a cause, much like Kennedy did to put us on the moon, but he says that now the effort is "much closer to home." He wants to build a new appreciation from the ground up for the earth and its resources to the American people.

Also, Pat speaks of grassroots. It is interesting to note, however, that this is what Kucinich himself embraces. He takes no money from corporations or labor organizations. In and of itself, this is a pretty bold statement as far as a bottom-level change. While I agree that we as citizens of America must have our own change of heart and must make many decisions for ourselves, I think that Kucinich will set a powerful example of how to do just that.
 

realistic solutions or not i'm sure everyone is aware that with no cynicism even necessary that this man will never even reach the quarter point in becoming president, the people who are elected are elected for a reason.
 

It's too bad you feel this way. Saying he won't get elected is a cop-out. I stand firm in my belief that anyone who doesn't vote with their heart just because they believe the ideal candidate won't get elected, that is, well, pathetic. Don't settle and don't be brainwashed by the media. Just because Mr. Kucinich doesn't have millions of dollars doesn't mean he can't be elected(and why doesn't he have millions? because he doesn't take donations from corporations or labor organizations).

You're exactly right. People who are elected are elected for a reason, and what I'm saying is that the reason right now is BS-- people settle on voting for whoever has the most exposure.

Something to keep in mind about candidates who receive millions from corporations (Edwards, Clinton, and Obama all do). Here's a quote from Dennis that sums it up:

"I want you to understand how it [my presidency] will transform this nation when you have a president who cannot be bought or bossed, who has the willingness to speak out when others would be silent."
 

the thing you're not understanding is people are put in place for a reason, the idea of an 'election' is a farce. and i'm aware of this BECAUSE of the fact that i'm not brainwashed, not brainwashed into caving into the self rewarding facade of a false 'democratic system' by 'voting', and appeasing my mind with the worthless sentiment of 'i made a difference', because it doesn't happen that way, figure heads are put in place to represent to the majority the course of action seeking to further an imperialistic outreach, not to actually care for the well being of the country, its citizens and LEAST of all our environment. make a difference yourself, don't give yourself a smug sense of self satisfaction based off the fact that your 'vote' went a long way to help someone get in power who will do it for you.
 

Hmm, I suppose you may have some points. However, I believe this is mostly an overly dismal look at our society. I'm not being "smug" by knowing that my vote counts. I won't be one of those bastards who decides to not vote simply because I feel it won't make a difference. It may be corrupt and the person I want to win may have only a one in a million chances, but just like I may never reach my highest aspirations doesn't mean I won't strive to achieve them anyway.

And by the way, I am trying to make a difference myself. You know-- this site and whatnot :)
 

While I'll try not to stray too far off topic from the environment, I'd be interested to know which issues you think he isn't right on target. Personally, I believe he is pretty much the ideal candidate all around. Obviously I must stick to my objective here, but nonetheless I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks for the comment! :)
 

unfortunately he will never win and if you are going to back someone for environmental causes i am going with ralph nader, alas he also probably has no chance in winning. it's a damned if you do do and damned if you don't situation with voting. it's not even in our hands, it's in the electoral colleges hands. which i think is completely wrong and should be changed. until that happens our leaders will continue to be dictated to us.
 

Hmm. I don't know if Nader would run against Kucinich. Perhaps so, but I believe the two are friends. Actually, in Kucinich's interview with Grist (see link in my post), Kucinich said that Nader was his environmental hero. Hillary Clinton said HER environmental hero was AL GORE!!!!! Heh...
 

Ralph Nader has said in the past that if Kucinich gets the Democratic Party nomination, he won't run (since their positions & initiatives are largely the identical). I'm going all out for Dennis but if he does not get the nomination (& I think it's clear that he CAN win if we all get behind him 100%!) I'll put every bit of my efforts into a Nader campaign! No way can I support any of the other so called Democratic candidates, no way can I support their anti gay marriage (civil unions is simply segregation/apartheid), pro death penalty, token only environmentalism, pro war/war funding, pro nuclear weapons, pro nuclear energy, pro evil HMOs, anti Bush impeachment, etc.. & overall Republican-light stances. We need a clear difference in a candidate who is also talking about real issues & real solutions, we need Dennis Kucinich!, & if we can't have him we need Ralph Nader!
 

I'm thinking Dennis may pick Ralph as his running mate. Who knows? :)
 

I couldn't agree more that Kucinich is the 1 environmental candidate (not to mention the only vegan in Congress!!) and I would love to see him in a position of power, but unfortunately he doesn't have the money or the popularity to win the Presidency.

Politics is simply a game - a very dirty game. Just like voting for class president back in school - elections are a popularity contest. In 2000, I voted for Nader proudly, only to see Satan himself win the Presidency. Then I watched the Democratic media BASH Nader simply for running because his votes would likely have gone to Gore if Nader hadn't run, thereby keeping Bush out of the White House. Now, if elections were fair, and each candidate was given an EQUAL presence platform, and an EQUAL financial platform, and if the majority of Americans actually THOUGHT FOR THEMSELVES, Nader might have made it. Lesson 1) Elections are a joke. Lesson 2) Don't vote for the guy who has no chance to win, or you might get a BUSH!!!! Lesson 3) Start calling for campaign reform!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Write and call your congresspeople and your representatives, start and deliver petitions, etc...

The SYSTEM is completely faulted. Therefore, unfortunately, I often now vote for the lesser of many potential evils, in hopes of keeping the worst candidate out of office. (Obviously this strategy didn't work in 2004 because SOMEONE cheated... AGAIN!! ) However, until we see DRASTIC campaign finance reform, election reform, and the abolition of the Electoral College, I'll continue to play the game. My vote is going to Obama in the primary because of his history of highly successful public service, his progressive ideas on the environment, his open honesty in his books, and his die hard refusal to take money from PACs and Lobbyists(unprecedented).

I sincerely hope Kucinich gets appointed to head the EPA or the Department of Energy, as opposed to former big oil execs. Then, once political reforms start happening, I hope he will consider another run for the Presidency. His head and his heart are absolutely in the right place. Did I mention he's the only vegan in Congress? Kudos, Dennis!!!!!!
 

I don't believe that Nader affected the outcome of the 2004 election. As far as whether it was fair-- that I don't know. But I'm not convinced that Nader pulled enough votes from Gore and that's why Bush won. Perhaps other reasons.................... :o

Why vote for Obama in the primary? Vote for whoever you think deserves your vote in the primary, then if they aren't elected, select the lesser of the evils in the general election. His refusal to take money is certainly not unprecedented. Look at Kucinich!

I agree that the system is faulted. Money plays WAY too big of a role in the elections (if not the ONLY role!). It's ridiculous and everyone knows it, but no one will do anything about it. But yes, I'd like to see Kucinich appointed to the EPA or DoE, too, at least. It's wonderful to have a vegan congressman, but it'd be even better in a position that had more direct power. I honestly feel that the USA needs this man, whether they know it or not.

There have been several (non-scientific) polls that show Americans often share his views, but don't know it (and sometimes don't even know of Kucinich!). Check this one out: http://www.dehp.net/candidate/stats.php You go to the website and rank your stance on several issues. With over 110,000 submissions, Kucinich blows away the competition. While this isn't scientific, I believe that it IS monumental. At least it's something to think about :)
 

Yes, as the saying goes, "fall in love for the primaries, fall in line for the general election".

If there was ever a time we could finally get a progressive President in the White House, it is definitely now!

We deserve a People's President!

We complain how politicians lie and are bought off, and here we have a man that speaks from his heart, and has never said anything just to get elected, that would never take a dime in corporate donations, leaving him with no other interests aside from his constituents', and FOR THAT REASON, his campaign is discounted. Those candidates that have gotten the big dirty bucks will be indebted to these polluting corporations, and we are going to have more of the same corporate whoredom and war if any of them are elected.

As Sean Penn says to those that don't believe Dennis has a chance, "ISN'T THAT UP TO US??"
Don't be brainwashed by the corporate-run mainstream media that demeans Kucinich's campaign. They are scared to death that someone so genuine that can't be bought would be in the White House. They will be the losers, and the American people will be the winners under a Kucinich administration!

Thank you EcoAware for your informed endorsement.
We need more thinkers voting, since Kucinich is the thinking person's candidate!
 

Thank you so much for the info!
 

He is also strong on getting out of Iraq. Which I am all for. How do you feel about Gravel?
 

In response to your question, I'll use the words of another DK supporter:

"Dennis is much better on taxes and healthcare than Gravel. Gravel just wants to give people vouchers to pay for healthcare but that does nothing to control costs, improve quality of care, or establish a not-for-profit system.

Dennis advocates a single-payer not-for-profit healthcare system. Gravel wants to eliminate all income taxes and replace them with a 'national sales tax.'

Dennis wants to reform the income tax system and make it progressive by forcing corporations and wealthy individuals to pay their fair share of taxes thereby moving the burden of taxation from the poor and middle classes onto the wealthy."

I personally feel that Dennis Kucinich's plans for the environment are stronger, as well. I wouldn't mind Mike Gravel running for VP with Dennis, though. :)
 

You have my support and as a non profit i cannot give official support but as a concerned citizen of this planet i can do nothing less! Thank you so much for reposting this and your statement! Nan
 

Good for you you have my absolute support on this! i love Dennis and Elizabeth. And although as a non profit and representative of Humanity Healing i cannot endorse a canidate as a person i do!

Working together for a happier, healthier, more humane planet,
Reverend Nan Sea Love
Founder and Director,
Kindness of Strangers

<center>
Ambassor Animal Advocacy</center>
 

Awesome, I'm so glad you're endorsing this candidate! Feel free to check out my page and blog for more great videos of him!!! I hope that he wins!!!!!!!
 

If everyone truely voted for the candidate that stands for the people on every issue, Dennis Kucinich would win. I for one am going to give him my vote!
 

If only more people took the initiative and interest to find out what the candidates truly represent we could return this nation to its former greatness. Kucinich would definitely be one of the greatest Presidents this nation has ever had.
 

I think you hit it dead on with that one.
 

I've definitely been spreading the word prior to your blog. If there is any man that could possibly put back the country from a presidential standpoint, it's this guy for sure!
 

Dennis Kucinich is the best candidate i have ever experienced in my 58 years of life, i refuse to give allow the idea he may not be able to win keep me from doing all i can to support him, we cannot predict the future but we can effect it with our attitudes and behavior, and even if Dennis does not win we are fighting the good fight and helping people awaken to the kind of leader we really need and want, look at Al Gore, he did win but had the Presidency stolen from him, but he has impacted more people in the last year than any person could ever predict, i campaigned for him too when everyone said it was a lost cause and i am sure support of Dennis is even more important as Dennis does not compromise on important issues like diet and sets an example of what a leader should be. nan
 

Heard Kucinich speak at the Chicago green Fest this summer. He's got my vote!
 

I posted a bulletin about him months ago...been following him for a long time, good to see you are in agreement...
 

It feels good to vote for such a great man. I will keep voting for him on every poll, and definetley on the elections. Thank You Ecoaware for spreading and supporting awareness and conciusness.

PEACE
 

Kucinich is my political hero!
I'm doing everything I can to help him get into the white house. This country desperately needs a man like him in charge. If he doesn't get the democratic ticket, I really hope he decides to run as an independent.

All the comments on here from people who say he doesn't have a chance are really sad. He DOES have a chance if you don't take it away by sitting around moping instead of spreading the message of Strength Through Peace. If we try and fail, we are no worse off than we are now, but if we don't give it our all then it will be our own fault. The mass media does not have to control this election, so long as you do not let it.