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Election 2004




Kucinich Runs on Credibility:  Bush on?
Part I


by Sophia Barkat




Kucinich is different from Bush. He's also about as different as a Democrat can ever get from a Republican.
Having been in office since the age of 23yrs, Kucinich has served on local offices, as Mayor of Cleveland Ohio,
and as US Congressman and voted to support the very issues he now runs on (See Kucinich.us). He is,
therefore, one of the most credible politicians in the Presidential race for 2004, and must be taken seriously.

Kucinich generally opposes monopolies that lead to high prices for consumer. He wants more workers rights.
He also seems to understand that America, the world's largest consumer of non-renewable energy must adopt a
plan that can relieve it of this dependence.

Bush on the other hand seems to say one thing and do another. Comparing his campaign pledges to his
report card in office, one is appalled by the level of lying that goes on in the Republican Party.

See how Kucinich and Bush differ on their election pledges and see whether Bush Jr. should be re-elected
taking into consideration what is best for yourself, America and the World.



 Republican President
 Democratic Candidate


The Issues
George W. Bush
Dennis Kucinich

Affirmative Action
He's opposed to it.

Thinks "quotas" for races are unfair.


His voters are predominantly white; and he is most likely to lose Hispanic Votes that he may have won in 2000.
He is for it.

"Segregation in our cities leads to dire consequences in the educational environment for minorities. High minority school districts receive far less in state and local educational funding than districts that have predominantly white students." (Source: Kucinich.us)



ABM Treaty
He broke the Treaty without getting permission of Congress.

Wants to create an Anti-Missile System.


But some experts say the Treaty had been void for many years.(Source: Chuck Noe, Newsmax.com)


But, who knows if these experts are not monetarily benefitting from this anti-missile system? Has mainstream Press done anything to uncover this connection?
He is for it.

He filed a Federal lawsuit against Bush for breaking the Treaty without support of Congress.



"Article I, Section I empowers Congress to create laws, and charges the President only with carrying out these laws. Thus, the President's termination of the ABM Treaty represents an unconstitutional repeal of a law duly enacted by Congress." (Source : Kucinich.us)


Campaign Finance
In 2000, ran on:
  • Ban soft money (Oct 2000)
  • fewer restrictions on individuals. (Sep 2000)
  • “Paycheck Protection”: no union-directed campaign donations. (Apr 2000)
  • No government takeover of campaign finance. (Mar 2000)
  • Full disclosure and no giving limits. (Mar 2000)
  • No corporate or union soft money. (Feb 2000)
  • Agrees to no negative ads; stop tearing each other down. (Jan 2000)
  • Supports tweaking campaign finance rules. (Jul 1999)





Election 2004:


Doesn't seem to be running seriously.


His tax-break to the wealthy left out a good portion of those who voted for him in 2000 .

"The dozen states with the highest percentages of taxpayers who would get nothing at all from the latest Bush tax proposals include: Mississippi (44%), Louisiana (42%), West Virginia (42%), Arkansas (40%), Alabama (39%), Kentucky (38%), Oklahoma (38%) , South Carolina (36%), Montana (36%), Idaho (35%), Tennessee (35%), and New Mexico (35%). Ironically, all of these states except New Mexico cast their electoral votes for Bush in the last presidential election. (Source: Citizens for Tax Justice)


Opensecrets.org show most corporations are giving money to Bush Jr.'s 2004 campaign.


So is he running a serious race for 2004 or did he take the job in 2000 just to fulfill his father's legacy? With all the Administration Staff -- Collin Powell, Ari Fleischer etc -- bowing out, seems like a second term is not on the Bush agenda.




"The largest roadblock toward the American Restoration is a corrupt campaign finance system which promotes plutocracy allowing laws and regulations to be stealthily auctioned to the highest bidder. Less than one percent of the US population contributes 80% of the money in federal elections. The top one percent in income also received more than half the Bush tax cuts." (Source: Kucinich.us)


"I don't take corporate PAC money. My campaign is financed largely through small donations, mostly through the Internet -- and propelled by thousands of volunteers. A true grassroots campaign." (Source: Kucinich.us)


Appears to be upset that Individual Contributions to Bush come from the top 1% of income bracket but His own will be from small individual contributions of lower and middle class Americans. But shouldn't people be free to give as much as they like to candidates, and don't the rich people have the right to give money to those who further their wealth?

He also lists a huge number of reforms such as reversing deregulation in Media and ample free air-time for Politicians running for office. Why should the media be forced to give free airtime? Does he mean that the Press should give coverage to all the candidates so that everyone can get a voice? Or that Candidates be given additional Media time and that this should be free? Why not let the political party pick up some minimum tab? After all, Television, Radio and the Internet reach more people. Right?



Civil Rights
In 2000, ran on:


Anti-racial profiling:
Local control with consequences if racial profiling occurs. (Oct 2000) (source: Ontheissues.org)




While in Office:


Created Patriot Act, enforcing racial profiling and causing harrassment of Muslims and Arabs after Sept 11, 2001).


He did this with help from the Democrats in the Senate, though those in the House of Representatives opposed it.

Would like to enforce Patriot Act II and imprison and deport political dissidents and revoke US citizenship as sees fit.


ACLU.org  reveals that most of the Arab and Muslims detained following Sept 11 had no case against them and are being held for Public Relations purposes. (Source: ACLU.org)






Opposed to Patriot Act -- wants justice system to be functional.See link.


Clean Water
Act
Bush Jr.'s record is poor.


EPA Chief, Christine Todd Whitman supposedly resigned over differences.
For enforcement of Clean Water Act


Sresses need to enforce better air, land and waterways pollution-controls to make water ecosystems and drinking water safer.

Wants to reward businesses and farmers who operate standard pollution control.

Opposed to privatization of water supply.

Sites Bush Administration's overdevelopment of wetlands as a problem for flood control and natural pollution filters. (Source: Kucinich.us)



Deregulation of Public Utility : Electricity
In favor of.


Bush is in favor of deregulation, privatization and monopolistic control by electric utilities.
(Source: Ontheissues.org, Bush on Oil and Energy in 2000)
Opposed.


As mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, Kucinich opposed sale of Cleveland's Muni Light, the municipal power company, to Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. -- even as bankers were forcing to not roll-over Cleveland's debt. This did force Cleveland to go bankrupt but it also prevented CEI from becoming a monopoly.
(Source: Kucinich.us)



Corporations
In 2000, ran on:


Private sector responsible for economic boom. (Aug 2000) (Source: Ontheissues.org, Bush on Budget and Economy)


Don’t link trade to environment and labor. (Sep 2000) (Source : Ontheissues.org)


Supports Fast Track; WTO; NAFTA; anti-dumping. (April 2000) (Source: Ontheissues.org)


While in Office, he:

Gave tax-breaks to the Wealthy and repealed the Estate Tax and tax on Dividends. CEO's happy.
Corporations must not dictate Governance.


"...we need to institutionalize the separation of corporations and the state." (Source: Kucinich.us)


Corporations must pay taxes -- those going offshore must be barred from operating in the US.


Death Penalty
Supports it.


Death penalty for deterrence, not revenge. (Oct 2000) (Source: OntheIssues.org)
Opposed to Death Penalty.


"Ninety-eight percent of all defendants sentenced to death were people who could not afford their own attorney." (Source: Kucinich.us)


Dept. of Peace
Has not created one. On the contrary:


Has Increased War Budget (2001-2003).


Lead US to bomb Afghanistan to rubbles.


Lied to US Congress about Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction capability.


Imposed Patriot Act with help of Congress to undermine Civil Liberties and imprison, try and deport Muslims and Arabs in secrecy.


Broke Geneva Convention in regards to treatment of POWs from Afghanistan, and later accuses Iraq of it in War. The bodies of Saddam's slain sons shown on TV in US and Iraq -- while US POWs shown on TV by Iraq makes Rumsfeld make remark that Iraqis have broken Geneva Convention.


Broke from International Criminal Court, of UN.
Originator of Concept.


"Its work in violence control will be to support disarmament, treaties, peaceful coexistence and peaceful consensus building. Its focus on economic and political justice will examine and enhance resource distribution, human and economic rights and strengthen democratic values." (Source: Kucinich.us)

"Domestically, the Department of Peace would address violence in the home, spousal abuse, child abuse, gangs, police-community relations conflicts and 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."




Disability Insurance
In 2000, ran on:


For More Disability Care: 145M over 5 years for disabled transportation. (source: Ontheissue.org)



While In Office:

Cut Disability Insurance in favor of training the disabled to enter work-force. (Source: Disabilityinfo.gov) -- which does not help when unemployment rates are high.
Supported House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt's (D-MO) Medicare Guaranteed and Defined Rx Benefit and Health Provider Relief Act of 2000, adding a new prescription drug benefit to the Social Security Act and pharmaceuticals for people with disabilities. (Source: House.gov)


Supports H.R 65 for Disability Care of Veterans:

H.R. 65 - Military Retirement Equity Act of 2001. A bill to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive a portion of their military retired pay concurrently with veterans’ disability compensation. (Source: House.gov)


Joined in cosponsorship of the Mandatory IDEA Full Funding Act of 2001, authored by New Hampshire congressman Charlie Bass, to ensure minimums for special education state grants. He agreed to cosponsor Representative Mark Udall's (D-CO) Small Business Telecommuting Act, establishing limited two-year pilot programs make telecommuting options & outreach available to small business employers, including special assistance to employers and employees with disabilities and/or who are veterans. (Source: Votewithavengeance.com)


Signed on to support former Representative and now-Governor Bob Ehrlich's (R-MD) Blind Empowerment Act of 2001, which increases disability insurance for blind individuals based on their ability (or lack thereof) to function in daily life.  (Source: Votewithavengeance.com)


Cosponsored New Jersey congresswoman Marge Roukema's Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Amendments of 2001, equalizing coverage standards for mental health benefits and substance abuse or chemical dependency benefits to the same standards as medical or surgical benefits. (Source: Votewithavengeance.com)


Supported Representative Marge Roukema's Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2002, requiring mental health treatment to be a part of states' group health plans. (Source: Votewithavengeance.com)


Drug War
In 2000, ran on:


Feds must help border counties fight drug traffickers. (Jun 2000)

More military funding to Columbia to attack traffickers. (Mar 2000)

Stronger penalties for first time cocaine possession. (Mar 2000)

Full background checks on drug use for all appointees. (Aug 1999)

Parents make up for past by warning kids against drugs. (Aug 1999)

Supports tough drug laws as well as drug education programs. (Dec 1998)


While in Office:

Reduced overall funding to local and state lawenforcement.
Wants Prison System to Change.


"Our country must rethink a policy that produces many casualties, but benefits only the prison-industrial complex. Non-violent drug offenders often receive Draconian sentences, tearing apart families." (Source: Kucinich.us)


"Racial bias in the enforcement of drug laws is pervasive. According to a Human Rights Watch report based on FBI statistics, blacks were arrested on drug charges at nearly five times the rate of whites. Drug use is consistent across racial and socioeconomic lines -- yet in the state of New York, for example, 94 percent of incarcerated drug offenders are Latino or African-American, mostly from poor communities."



"Addiction is a medical and moral problem that should be treated by professionals, not dumped on the criminal justice system."

The Economy
Private sector responsible for economic boom. (Aug 2000)  (Source: Ontheissues.org)



Acknowledges CEOs and high-income group as "private sector", for he clearly fails to acknowledge the workers laid off when he says:



Federal government should stay out of the marketplace. (Dec 1999)  (Source: Ontheissues.org)


He has no interest in creating public programs to counter-act fall in private investment.




Wanted to restore consumer confidence with tax cuts & new oil supplies. (Mar 2001) (Source: Ontheissues.org)


So far lions share of tax-cuts were given to top 10% of income bracket. Consumer confidence depends on people with high marginal propensity to consume get money to consume -- and that's the middle class and the poor. So far, they have shown up in the newly unemployed, working on pay-cuts but NOT the got-tax-cuts-from-Bush group.

The new oil supplies were supposed to come from ANWR, (see below) which raised much controversy at the time of running in 2000, though all this seems like peanuts compared to his invasion of Iraq idea.




Proposed to shrink federal budget to 16% of GDP. (Mar 2001) (Source: Ontheissues.org)


Too much government spending will end prosperity. (Nov 2000)


An incredible liar? Or leader of an ignorant nation? One wonders if those who went to war ever looked at Bush Jr.'s track record for lying. He's pretty good at it.




Thinks Oil/Nuclear Energy reserves development is important.  (Source: Ontheissues.org) (See section on Energy below)





Promised a Budget Surplus that we are yet to see.


In 2000, promised a Budget Surplus over 10yrs of $265 Billion  (Source: Ontheissues.org)


Must not be with in our lifetimes? For he has created the largest budget deficits in the last two years alone, reversing Clinton's efforts, and creating more interest on debt to be paid by tax-payers.




Thinks a Budget Surplus is pocket money -- a gift from him to Clinton -- not meant for reducing National Debt.


In 2002 ran on spend $586B surplus on tax cuts, health, & defense. (Source: Ontheissues.org)

While he did give back money to the top ten percent income bracket, and did spend $500 billion on defense, where is his promise for health care? His gargantuous defense budget is eating up federal funds allocated to public investment in Education and even Homeland Security (See section on Homeland Security)

Promised not more than $40 billion (Source: Ontheissues.org) for new defense spending in 2000, but managed to increase defense spending to $400 billion by 2002. (Source: Juryfury.com, What can Cure a Depression can surely Avert Recessions )
Wants Roosevelt type Public Works programs to restore investment in American businesses.


Doesn't accept so-called Natural Levels of Unemployment


"....there is no such thing as an acceptable level of unemployment. " (Source: Kucinich.us)


Public Sector must do what Private Sector can't


"Where the private sector fails to provide jobs, the public sector has a moral responsibility to do so. "

"I see a newly rebuilt America. I see a new horizon where America provides a means to have massive public works to rebuild our cities, our water systems, our public transportation systems, our schools, our parks, our public energy systems. Nearly $150 billion is needed over 20 years to repair and provide for adequate wastewater treatment systems. Another $120 billion is needed for drinking water systems. We need a new financial mechanism to get money to cities and states to begin rebuilding and to put America back to work." (Source: Kucinich.us)

"The federal government can give cities and states loans for infrastructure programs to be repaid over a period of 30 years, at zero interest. This will boost economies and spur private investment. A Federal Bank for Infrastructure Maintenance would administer a program of lending $50 billion per year to state and local governments. The money comes from an innovative adaptation of the normal money supply circulation activity of the Federal Reserve Bank.
The cost to the American taxpayer is simply the cost of the interest on the loans."


Welfare for those unable to work. Is trying to create work for disabled. See under Disability Care.


"And while there ought to be welfare for those unable to work, there ought to be work for those who are able to work and who want to work. And there is enough work to do." (Source: Kucinich.us)

Education
 Soft bigotry of low expectations encourages failure. (Oct 2000) (Source: Ontheissues.org)

A line he uses as a campaign slogan over and over.


Focus on responsibility and parents, not on federal spending. (Oct 2000)  (Source: Ontheissues.org)

Poor kids can’t read; now is the time to teach them. (Aug 2000)   (Source: Ontheissues.org)

Leave no child behind: reform Title I & Head Start. (Oct 1999)   (Source: Ontheissues.org)


That should have raised eyebrows. He acknowledges poor kids cannot read. But runs on wanting to reduce federal funding to schools. This man has no clue what he talks about.

Poor kids go to public schools in poor areas where real-estate taxes are low. Schools can't pay teachers. Clearly federal spending on the poor is needed. More so, racial segragation in cities maintains this disparity, such that colored kids don't get functional schooling. Bush Jr. proposes we eliminate Affirmative Action too. (see above.)


Proposes various school and college grants and programs.


Total Dollars proposed to go to Colleges and College Preparatory = $ 28 billion (Source: Ontheissues.org); On School level various new programs proposed to help teachers, students and parents. Promises more aid to schools near military compounds. I wonder why, since he wanted to spend less.

 Says, Education is proven way of reducing poverty.


Says Clinton's Welfare Program created "poor jobs" and prevented and discouraged education. Congress should reverse this trend.


"Five years ago when welfare was reformed, recipients were discouraged, and even prevented from earning a higher degree." (Source:  Kucinich.us)


"Congress should allow and encourage people to get career training or work toward a college degree, GED, other degree or learn English."


"Congress should allow home childcare to count as an allowable work activity."

Dennis Kucinich introduced legislation that will expand full-day, full-year quality education programs to all children over the age of three. (Source:  Kucinich.us)


Energy
 For more Oil and Nuclear Energy.
For deregulation of Electric Distribution.



Before being elected said:

Supports drilling for oil in ANWR rather than buying more from Saddam.


Between 1990-2003, under Bush Sr., Clinton and Bush Jr., the US was the country that bought the lions share of Iraqi Oil from Saddam thanks to the UN Sanctioned Food for Oil program that forced Iraq to sell oil at 60cents/barrel to the US and UK in particular.

One million people died in Iraq in that time due to lack of food and medicine due to UN Sanctions. The US sited this to be fault of Saddam, saying he was building more palaces with the money while his people were dying. While Saddam was not concerned about his people, US double-standards are equally appalling.

In March 2003 Bush attacked Iraq and none other than to force Iraq to sign contracts to US oil companies he is linked to -- Halliburton -- while causing Iraq's old contracts with other nations to be invalidated.



Before being elected said:

Wants more resources for development of nuclear energy.


Will be putting more Americans at risk if nuclear plants cannot be secured against terrorism. This increases risk of catastrophic losses, even if nuclear plants have a way of shutting down to contain various types of risks.




Won't sign the Kyoto Treaty. (Source: ontheissues.org)
  • Weaken Clean Air; no comment on Clean Water. (Nov 2000)
  • Texas has most out-of-compliance plants; but is improving. (Oct 2000)


For more renewable energy exploration: Global Green Deal.




"I will spur research and investment in "alternative" energy sources -- hydrogen, solar, wind and ocean -- and make them mainstream. Clean energy technologies will produce new jobs."  (Source:  Kucinich.us)


"..we can soon have hybrid and fuel cell cars dominating the market."


"More public utility programs to keep prices down."



One wonders whenever the State wants more control of any industry whether the State-run utilities will become monopolies -- as in case of AT&T and Bell. Is Kucinich saying that State-run utilities will be more efficient and cheaper, and that private utilities always create oligoplies and raise prices?



Will sign the Kyoto Treaty. Most industrialized nations signed it.

It is a pledge to reduce emissions that may cause global warming -- Carbon dioxide -- and would put restrictions on car-emissions as well as industrial emmissions.
Environment
 Abandons campaign pledge to reduce CO2 emissions. (Mar 2001)

Weaken Clean Air; no comment on Clean Water. (Nov 2000)

Against Kyoto & national monuments; for drilling ANWR. (Nov 2000)
(Source: Ontheissues.org)

 For Renewable Energy (See under Energy)

For Clean Air and Water.

For Kyoto Treaty and reduction of hydrocarbon emission.

Will reverse Bush Administrations lax laws.
(Souce: Kucinich.us)

Farming & Agribusiness
 Supports Fast Track; WTO; NAFTA; anti-dumping. (Apr 2000)

Add Chile, Brazil, Argentina, & others to NAFTA. (Oct 2000)

Give Farmers Tax-breaks. (July 1998)

Farm policy: emergency relief; insurance; antitrust. (Apr 2000)

Keep Freedom to Farm Act: cut price supports. (Sep 2000)


The Bush Administration criticized the Farm Bill, saying that it helped those "least in need of government assistance" and spends most of the money in the bill on the largest producers while virtually ignoring family farmers. The administration went on to say that the bill "misses the opportunity to modernize the nation's farm program through market-oriented tools, innovative environmental programs, including extending incentives to working lands, and aid programs that are consistent with our trade agenda." (Source:  House.gov)
Cancel treaties that take jobs away from US farmers:  (Source:  Kucinich.us)


"The first act of a Kucinich Administration will be to 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 will be required."

Will the bilateral treaties exist? The US Invests in foreign finance, manufacturing, and service sectors. Will there be a backlash on US interests abroad if it starts to break treaties on behalf of the agricultural sector just to win votes in the Mid-West?

What will happen to the price of food, since large agribusinesses control commodities and futures markets of commodities?


Empower Farmers:

"Kucinich Administration will empower farmers in the marketplace by providing incentives to join a collective bargaining unit."

Will this increase worker morale or strikes?  And who will small farmers working for themselves strike against?



Breakup Agribusiness Monopolies

"A Kucinich Administration will 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."

Will he do so without causing price of food to rise?



Will require labelling for Genetically Modified Organisms that are created by R&D of large agribusiness.


Genetic modification has been around since Mendel first proposed his theory. Is he suggesting that genetic modification is more than this?



Stay tuned next week for more on this column.