NAFTA and Yucca Mountain: Two Issues for Super Tuesday

[genius]

Kucinich wants to end NAFTA and withdraw for the WTO. He also voted against Yucca Mountain (the nuclear waste dump that will risk contaminating 38 states and the permanent radiating of California's water supply) and and has the highest environmental and labor records of the three candidates from Congress. Kerry voted for NAFTA and against Yucca Mountain. Next to Kucinich, his is the best environmental record of the candidates. Kerry has a 90% labor rating. Edwards campaigned against NAFTA but voted for Yucca Mountain. Edwards has the second highest labor record (94%) of the three but the lowest environmental voting record of the three. Edwards has shown that he can improve his positions on issues. I haven't heard of his changing his position on Yucca Mountain so far.

These are factors to consider on Super Tuesday. Which is more important to you: labor or the environment? If the answer is both, that's a good reason to vote for Dennis. All the Democratic candidates are far better than the Republicans on all issues. But Tuesday, a lot of us get to decide our priorities.

[exotrip]

1. I can't drink polluted water

But I can drink water from Canada. Sweet, non-tarrifed H2O. ;)

[anti-NAFTA]

2. It depends on what type of person you are.

Genteel college kids who smoke weed all day and live off their parents' back will obviously care more about Yuccan mountain. But people who are more concerned about their job will vote Edwards rather than Kerry.

[exotrip]

4. Yeah because

only hippie college kids care about having clean water to drink.

[MAlibdem]

7. Are there such people?

I've yet to meet them.

Beyond that, I think you run the risk of offending deep-ecology people (im not one of them).

[corporatewhore]

9. well if you want clean water you better vote for the anti freetrade guy

water privatisation and all that ickyness you know

[bigtree]

3. Kerry's Statement on Yucca Mountain

Feb. 13) Las Vegas, NV -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry released the following statement today regarding President Bush's plan to send nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain.

"Nevadans understand better than anyone why so many Americans don't trust George W. Bush. Four years ago, candidate Bush promised not to ship nuclear waste to your state unless scientifically deemed safe. But after the election, President Bush caved to special interests and broke his promise to Nevada, and he has been doing his best to turn this state into a nuclear waste dump ever since.

"That's a pattern George W. Bush has repeated time after time - from losing 3 million jobs, to subsidizing HMOs and insurance companies, to saying that shipping U.S. jobs overseas is good for America's economy. On issue after issue, George W. Bush keeps saying one thing to the people, and then doing another big favor for the special interests.

"This is so important to me because I have spent my life standing up to powerful interests to fight for what's right. After returning from Vietnam, I spoke out with my fellow soldiers to bring home our brothers in arms. As a prosecutor, I went after the mob. In the Senate, I stood up to the leaders of my own party to reduce the deficit because I believe in fiscal responsibility. And I've taken on corporate polluters and big HMOs to fight for healthy communities and children because I believe that special interests shouldn't stand in the way of everyday Americans.

"As my friends in Nevada can tell you, I have stood time and time again with Nevada families to stop George W. Bush from turning this state into a nuclear waste dump. As your President, I'll continue that fight for Nevada - and you'll have the White House working for your top priority, instead of selling you out to the special interests."

http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1645441&nav=168XKpSw

[exotrip]

5. this one issue

alone could tip Nevada to Kerry (or Edwards if he were to take a stand against the nuclear waste dumping)

[SEAburb]

6. Fine! Then can we store nuclear waste in your backyard

I'm sick of that crap piling up in mine. I have mixed emotions about this issue, because the waste keeps going to my backyard at Hanford.

[corporatewhore]

8. environmentalism and free trade cant go hand in hand

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/wto/FTAAWTOEnvironment.html