ATS.MIX: SE04 - Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich, page 1

Excellent interview, I wish it could've been a lot longer tbh. This is the first time I've tuned in and I was immediately impressed by the professionalism of Dave & Johnny. Bravo to you guys. And this really is a defining moment for ATS and internet alternatives to msm.

Some of the main points raised and discussed:

Elizabeth spoke eloquently and at length about moving from a nation of war to a nation of peace. She made it clear she would be a very transparently active first lady, indeed it was clear Dennis and Elizabeth are really running as a team.

She said she was astounded at the "barbarism" that is expressed through the USA health system, and supports adoption of a "universal single payer, not-for profit health care system" a la the UK. Elizabeth blamed foreign economic intervention (a la IMF and World Bank) for a lot of the poverty in the 3rd world, and believes the only solution is an ethics-based trade policy.

Elizabeth doesn't read or watch the media, particularly regarding the campaign "It is none of my business what other people are saying about me, it is my business what I'm doing in the world." Dennis enjoyed her section of the interview and pointed out that with her "world-class intellect" she could fill in on the Presidential debate.

Dennis was given the opportunity to give his own responses to the debate that he was excluded from. His primary responses were for
* Immediately cease USA occupation of Iraq (replace with International Security Force).
* Universal free healthcare (he has co-authored bill HR676 for this purpose).
* Reverse energy policy being run by the Oil companies and Nuclear Power.
* Big media such as NBC are "rigging" the elections by shaping the coverage to suite their own parent corporations interests such as Nuclear Power (NBC owned by GE), and ongoing war (GE also owns Raytheon).

NH Recount: Dennis shied away of charging conspiracy, but that 2000 election was stolen in Florida, 2004 in Ohio, and that's why he asked for a recount in New Hampshire.

Lobbyists: He went on to speak about private interests and lobbyists controlling Government in the USA. "Washington is like one big auction". His primary solution being "public financing = public control of the election process and public control of the Government." "I understand how this system works, I've been involved in politics for 40 years, I also understand how to stand up to these interest groups. That's why they're not so excited about contributing money to my campaign, because all they get is good Government, and that's not what they want."

Tax and Social Security: "Fairer tax system", lowering tax for the lower 80% rather than upper 20%. "Wall street wants to grab the money out of Social security system so they can use it to fuel speculation in the market."

Sovereignty and Civil Liberty: He wants to be a "nation among nations": No NAU, out of NAFTA, WTO, re-establish manufacturing and infrastructure. Preservation of the "sphere of privacy". The only person running for Prez who voted against Patriot Act, Homegrown Terrorism Act.

Domestic Security: No federal troops in cities. National guard only. Withdrawal from foreign wars to secure domestic front.

Industry: Buy American or Bye Bye America. Rebuild USA manufacturing and infrastructure where steel, aerospace, automobile is vital to national economic security. "When I was growing up in Ohio there was a myth that said if you went to your backyard, Dennis, and dig a hole deep enough, you can get to China. Well we're there, we have dug that hole, and we're there." Break up monopolies (particularly in agriculture).

Energy: "Works Green Administration" Carbon and Nuclear free energy policy. Construction of wind and solar micro technologies for installation across the country.

Voting: People vote none of the above by not showing up.

Ron Paul: Despite a lot of member questions regarding Ron Paul, he was not mentioned.

I provided the above as a bit of a prompt for ongoing discussion of the points raised rather than a substitute for listening to the best interview you're gonna hear in a long while. At the end of the day I don't have a vote in the USA elections but I speak for a lot of people around the world when I say we are watching with great interest, because what happens over there impacts us all.

[edit on 19-1-2008 by Shar_Chi]

SE04 – Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth