|
Dennis Kucinich on Corporations
Democratic Representative (OH-10); Democratic Candidate for President
|
Democracy fails without corporate regulation
The problems that exist on Wall Street today go to the center of a debate in this country about wealth and democracy. We cannot keep our democracy if those who are in charge of handling the engines of our economy are not honest with their shareholders.
That's why there is a role for government regulation here. That role for government is breaking up the monopolies, insisting on public disclosure, insisting on public audits, insisting on restitution whenever someone has been cheated.
Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan
Sep 25, 2003
Iraq: no more Halliburton sweetheart deals
[To exit Iraq, we need to], get the United Nations together in an agreement that provides for the following: - First, that the UN will handle the collection and distribution of all oil revenues for the people of Iraq without privatization.
-
Second, that the UN will handle all contracts. No more Halliburton sweetheart deals.
- And third, that the United Nations will proceed to work with the people of Iraq to construct a government that the people of Iraq can call their own.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Cleveland's bankruptcy was hard decision but right decision
Q: The one time you had executive responsibility, as mayor of Cleveland, the city went bankrupt. Some will say that you'll do for America what you did for Cleveland. KUCINICH: In Cleveland, that default ends up being a badge of honor for me,
because I stood up for the people of Cleveland against a takeover of our municipal electric system by a utility monopoly. Now imagine a president who's willing to stand up to the Enrons of America. Imagine a president who's willing to stand up to the
monopolies in energy and in health care and in transportation and communication. Imagine a president who comes from the cities and will fight for working men and women and will fight for the poor. I have every expectation that I'll be the next president
of the United States because when the test came, I put my career on the line to save a municipal electric system for the people of Cleveland. And today people of Cleveland know that I did the right thing. And soon America will know that as well.
Source: Democratic Debate in Columbia SC
May 3, 2003
Enron: Dems should become party of re-regulation
This predatory [deregulated electricity] system must be set aside. The only way to ensure that Enron does not happen again is for government at all levels to reclaim the role as regulator in the public interest, to restructure electric rates to
protect residents and small businesses, to enact windfall profit taxes, and to finance the construction of municipal power systems. The Democratic Party must become the party of re-regulation, of public control, of public accountability, of public power.
Source: Speech to DNC, in Prayer for America, p. 26-27
May 25, 2002
Need separation of corporation and state
We need a new relationship between the Democratic Party and corporate America--call it arms-length--so that our party is capable of independently affirming the public interest. We need a new relationship between corporations and our society.
Just as our founders understood the need for separation of church and state, we need to institutionalize the separation of corporations and the state.
This begins with government taking the responsibility to establish the conditions under which corporations may do business in the US, including the establishment of a federal corporate charter which describes corporate rights and responsibilities.
Corporations should pay a fair share of taxes. If corporations shift profits offshore to avoid paying taxes, they should not be permitted to operate in the US. The decrease in corporate tax responsibility is an indication of the rise of corporate power.
Source: Speech to DNC, in Prayer for America, p. 31
May 25, 2002
Rescued Cleveland Electric from profitable utility
Consumers have a stake in the fight against utility monopolies. We rescued a municipal electric system from the clutches of one of America's most profitable privately-owned utilities.
We revived the prosecution of a $325 million antitrust damage suit against the same utility, for unfair and anti-competitive practices, which have been confirmed in findings by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
We are continuing to maintain municipal utilities because we believe that public service facilities must belong to the public. They are not to be considered private loot. They are public rights.
Our defense of our municipal electric utility assures Cleveland consumers of the advantages of continued competition and provides them with an alternative for lower electric rates.
Source: Speech to National Press Club, in Prayer for America, p. 6
Jan 1, 1977
Voted NO on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks.
Vote to pass a bill that would repeal an export tax break for U.S. manufacturers ruled an illegal trade subsidy by the World Trade Organization, while providing for about $140 billion in new corporate tax cuts. Revenue raising offsets would decrease the cost of the bill to $34.4 billion over 11 years. It would consist of a buyout for tobacco farmers that could not go over $9.6 billion. It also would allow the IRS to hire private collection agencies to get back money from taxpayers, and require individuals who claim a tax deduction for a charitable donation of a vehicle to obtain an independent appraisal of the car.
Reference: American Jobs Creation Act;
Bill HR 4520
; vote number 2004-259
on Jun 17, 2004
Voted NO on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment.
Vote to pass a bill that would make it easier for courts to change debtors from Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which allows most debts to be dismissed, to Chapter 13, which requires a repayment plan.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Gekas, R-PA;
Bill HR 333
; vote number 2001-25
on Mar 1, 2001
Rated 15% by the US COC, indicating an anti-business voting record.
Kucinich scores 15% by US Chamber of Commerce on business policy
Whether you own a business, represent one, lead a corporate office, or manage an association, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of AmericaSM provides you with a voice of experience and influence in Washington, D.C., and around the globe.
Our members include businesses of all sizes and sectors—from large Fortune 500 companies to home-based, one-person operations. In fact, 96% of our membership encompasses businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
Mission Statement:
"To advance human progress through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative, opportunity, and responsibility."
The ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
Source: COC website 03n-COC on Dec 31, 2003