Former Senator Mike Gravel, and Representative Dennis Kucinich are on the right track, to my mind. They are expressing a lot of things that the other candidates, the big ones.. the top tier..etc. must think but are fearful to express…
The priority of peace, for instance.. the first time I heard Kucinich’s name was with his statement that we needed a Department of Peace in our bureaucracy. And Mike Gravel in helping defeat the draft back in the 70’s.
Then there’s the importance of education, and setting it as a priority.. something that we should have done a hundred years ago, perhaps we wouldn’t have inarticulate Presidents, if people didn’t consider him one of their own, a kindred spirit.
Gravel’s campaign is based primarily on his ardent support for direct democracy (The National Initiative), but also emphasizes his support for a national sales tax and abolition of the IRS, immediate withdrawal from the war in Iraq, and a single-payer national health care system, and term limits during his campaign.”
– Wikipedia
Kucinichs platform for 2008 includes:
* Creating a single-payer system of universal health care that provides full coverage for all Americans.
* The immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq and replacing them with an international security force.
* Guaranteed quality education for all, including free pre-kindergarten and college for all who want it.
* Immediate withdrawal from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
* Repealing the USA PATRIOT Act.
* Fostering a world of international cooperation.
* Abolishing the death penalty.
* Environmental renewal and clean energy.
* Preventing the privatization of social security.
* Providing full social security benefits at age 65.
* Creating a cabinet-level “Department of Peace”
* Ratifying the ABM Treaty and the Kyoto Protocol.
* Introducing reforms to bring about instant-runoff voting.
* Protecting a woman’s right to choose while decreasing the number of abortions performed in the U.S.
* Ending the war on drugs.
* Legalizing same-sex marriage.
* Creating a balance between workers and corporations.
* Ending the H1B and L1 Visa Programs
* Restoring rural communities and family farms.
* Banning hand guns.
–Wikipedia
They both plan on withdrawal of troops from Iraq, with extensive diplomacy options to stabilize the country.. it would seem that Gravels is more precipitous but both eclipse our lilly-livered top tier candidates.
The irony is apparent, if you express the hard core belief that things need to be done now, and need to be changed radically, your chances for election go down. If you are mealy mouthed and vaccilate, you might have a chance.
Kick out the jams people, lets rock and roll… times running short for our children and the planet, let’s find someone we can elect who supports education, peace and the environment..
