A Message from Dennis Kucinich . . .

[goodhue]

Dear friend,

The Democratic Party is struggling to rediscover its soul. Leading
Congressional Democrats still support the war; still support corporate-run
health care, still support trade without protections for workers' rights,
human rights or the environment. Predictably, the corporate media which
fueled our march to folly in Iraq still sides with the corporate wing of
our party.

Some in our party suggest that since the President and Republicans are
sinking in the polls, Democrats should remain quiet. They forget the words
of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. that "Our lives begin to end the day we
become silent about things that matter." Issuing tepid statements that "we
can do better" hardly inspires those who worry each day about their
children and spouses. American families facing a harsh struggle to survive
deserve action - not silence. Wages are down and savings the lowest since
the Great Depression while job insecurity, education and health care costs
are soaring. Social Security and pensions are at risk.

Please recognize that without your help and support I could never pursue
my efforts to again make the Democratic Party the party of working
Americans. The Party which looks out upon the world for friends, not
enemies.

Four years ago I was told my efforts to organize 125 House Democrats to
vote against the war was political suicide. When you read Prayer for
America <http://www.kucinich.us/speeches/20020217_prayer_for_america.php>
(February 17, 2002, and the Analysis of President's Bush's Case for War,
<http://www.kucinich.us/floor_speeches/iq_analysis18nov.php> (October 2,
2002) you will recall how difficult (yet necessary) it is to speak truth
to power. Remember how the administration guaranteed us that "there was no
doubt" but that WMDs were poised to strike us? Their loyal followers called
me a liar - and worse - on "Meet the Press" and other national media for
daring to challenge the Administration's "evidence" on WMDs and Saddam's
then-alleged links to 9-11 and Al Qaeda.

Today, however, being right is little solace in the face of mounting
casualties. Little solace knowing that the average American family will
spend perhaps $25,000 just on the Iraq War - a war which makes all us less
safe. Inexplicably, the media which remained silent in the face of massive
government propaganda now lashes out at those of us who did speak out at
the time. Yet those complicit in selling this war to the American people
remain loyal to their lies and continue their propaganda.

President Andrew Jackson was right when he said that one person with
courage makes a majority. These are trying times which require each of of
us to find the courage to demand that America not only stop an illegal
occupation and a policy of preemptive war, but chart a new course in the
world based on cooperation not confrontation, on hope, not fear. Each of
us must speak out about the crimes done in our name. Torture is not an
American value and the thought that the President would sign a statement
reserving the right to continue to torture brings shame - and danger - to
all of us.

Being a Democrat can no longer entail a laundry list of slightly less
harmful policies than our opponents. The vision of Franklin Delano
Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy as enunciated in the Book of Matthew must be
returned to Congress. As you know, "Fear Ends, Hope Begins" was the theme
of my campaign for the Democratic nomination for President in 2004. I
continue to call not just for new policies, but a renewed vision of a
politics of trust and compassion based on our most basic values of caring
for one another.
(Video:
<http://www.kucinich.tv/video/kucinich/video/video/california/Kucinich+60+National/Progressive+QT/broadband/Kucinich_60_national_b.html>)


Who ever imagined that we would live in an America where the "merciful"
would be called soft on crime? Where those who "mourn" would be called
whiners and where the "meek" would be told that arrogance is a virtue? Who
ever imagined that the sacred role of "peacemaker" as described by Matthew
in the Beatitudes would be recast as a traitor? The inversion of truth and
the perversion of our basic values must be challenged.

The path for our renewal based on these sacred values is clear. Living
Wages, Advocacy of Universal Health Care,
<http://www.kucinich.us/floor_speeches/hl_feasible_inevitable22sep.php> a
new WPA jobs program <http://www.kucinich.us/issues/jobs.php> funded from
military waste, Universal Pre-Kindergarten,
<http://www.kucinich.us/issues/education.php> tuition-free college,
protection of Social Security and all pensions, the green energy of wind,
solar, hydrogen, peaceful exploration of space, participation in the Kyoto
Climate Change Treaty, and the International Criminal Court are part of a
vision of the America that can be, if we are willing to take a stand.

My call for a Department of Peace and Nonviolence
<http://www.kucinich.us/floor_speeches/dop_creating_dop14sep.php> has been
attacked in a way that ironically proves its necessity.

This past term in the House of Representatives I have acted upon a vision
of a nation which cares about all people, about truth and justice, in
hundreds of speeches on the floor of the House about Iraq,
<http://www.kucinich.us/archive/floor/> health care, trade, education, the
global climate and America's role in the world. You may recall I was
successful in organizing a bipartisan coalition towards ending the war in
Iraq (HJ Res 55).
<http://www.kucinich.us/floor_speeches/iq_support_hjr55_17jun.php> I
helped open up investigations of the missing $9 billion in Iraq
reconstruction funds, and pushed for inquiries into pre-war intelligence,
and the public relations machine behind the war.

I also brought a resolution of Inquiry which resulted in a rare committee
discussion about documentation of global climate change and the need for
the United States to immediately begin implementing new energy policies to
protect the global environment.

Day in and day out I have continued to do the work. Day in and day out,
whether in the spotlight or not, I have persisted in walking the path of
peace, of social and economic justice. Fortunately, I know I do not walk
alone. I ask for your continued presence in my daily efforts.

As we prepare for the May 2nd Primary Election in Ohio, I once again
request your financial support. With your active participation I can
continue my efforts in the House, not only to encourage Democrats to take
a stand but to offer real alternatives to the prevailing thirst for empire
and plutocracy. Contribute here: https://www.kucinich.us/contribute

Thank you for your encouragement and support,



Dennis J Kucinich

[The Wielding Truth]

1. Thank you, goodhue. Dennis is a great man. We need him in the new

administration. We need many who feel as he does.

[Terran1212]

2. Dennis #1 Congressman