Cynics and Idealists
Here are my top five reasons not to vote for Kucinich.
5. His political experience, though long, is too narrow. Even the Chimp had the opportunity to govern a state before running for the highest office in the land. I think Dennis needs to temper his ambition and try being a senator or governor for a while before moving up into the big snakes' den.
4. NAFTA. I agree that there are some big problems with this treaty, but throwing the baby out with the bathwater is rarely a good idea. Establishing a dialogue with the other member nations and working toward reform would be a better place to start. To state that you are simply going to scrap NAFTA upon gaining office is a little too Bushesque and might be viewed by many of Mexico and Canada's citizens as another example of White House arrogance and bullying. Ditto the WTO.
3. He is a vegan. This in itself is no bad thing but Dennis has blatantly endorsed the Veganazi ideology. It's fine to work for humane treatment of animals, but animal rights is not about animal welfare; it's about controlling people and removing humanity from the realm of nature. Lest you be tempted to assume I'm some bull-roasting, gun-slinging Ted Nugent type, be assured that I am an animal lover, zookeeper and Certified Veterinary Technician who has worked with and for animals his entire life. But I know BS when I step in it and fascism when it tries to put its boot on my neck. It would seem that Kucinich does not.
2. Why would we wish to elect a stingless drone as President? The country might be in a mood to oust the current gang of right-wing squatters from that Pennsylvania Avenue address, but it shows no sign whatsoever of a move to the left in Congress. Even if Kucinich did win the election, he would be helpless to implement his programs, and after four years of an impotent Democratic President, I seriously doubt that the Republicans could be stopped in the next election. Which brings me to reason number one not to vote for Kucinich.
1. He can't win.
—David Carroll
St. Petersburg
The Kucinich campaign is exciting that majority of Americans who have seen no reason to vote before. But they can't vote unless you help us encourage them to register. Of course, registering other people to vote is non-partisan, and you have to register all comers even if they say they'll vote for a candidate you dislike. But articles like yours about what attracts people to Rep. Kucinich are what motivate many people to want to get involved in the political process.
—David Swanson
Kucinich Campaign Press Secretary
Washington, D.C.
Thank you for the very fair and balanced report you did on our last meeting for Kucinich. It brought in a couple of interesting people, one of whom is our new Events Coordinator. The article was so well written. I especially like your sense of humor. I wish the mainstream media could throw some into their reports.
—Joyce Newnam
Tampa
Well said, Scott. We all live in that crumbly old mansion together, and instead of electing someone who is going to strip it and sell off the casement windows, the columns and the beautiful old paneling from the walls, we have someone in Dennis Kucinich who will lovingly and painstakingly restore that mansion to its former glory. The foundation is still strong, and the will is there.
—Diana Compton
Houston
This article appears in Oct 16-22, 2003.
