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This is your last chance. It’s now or never. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
This is your last chance to contribute to Dennis Kucinich’s campaign before his primary on Tuesday. And you can do so by clicking here.
Let me give you one more reason for doing so. Dennis once told me that he had to move twenty times by the time that he was 17 years old. Dennis’s father had a lot of trouble holding a job. His mother had to raise seven children. They didn’t even have enough money to pay the rent.
Sometimes they didn’t have a roof over their heads. Sometimes they slept in their car.
Dennis was the oldest. So each time that they were about to be evicted, Dennis’s mother sent Dennis out to find somewhere that they could live.
That’s a hard job for a 14-year-old. But it sure did make one helluva good Congressman.
Most of the time, pain is just pain. But every once in a while, pain gives birth to greatness. Pain gave birth to Dennis Kucinich, and he has made it into greatness.
That’s the kind of person whom we need to have in Congress.
If you contribute to Dennis’s campaign here before midnight on Sunday night, then ActBlue can transfer the money to the campaign’s account on Monday, and Dennis can buy online ads to get out the vote on Tuesday.
I strongly recommend it.
Courage,
Alan Grayson
18 Comments
I met Dennis in 2003. He’s awesome. After I pay my rent tomorrow, I will have about $11 to my name* (until my next UI check, coming the week of the 11th). And yet, I’m considering sending him money. I urge those more fortunate than I to cover for my impotence.
Yes, he’s a Democrat, and the Party as a whole is a Republican joke, bought by Wall Street and corrupt to the core. But even if he’s only the lipstick on the corporate pig at this point, he probably still makes a difference in his constituents’ lives. Won’t change a thing in the big picture, but probably still useful to keep around. JMO.
(*-and my food stamp money, thank nonexistent God. And a few commemorative quarters saved up for a rainy day. But the larger point still holds.)
To Vote Socialist: Save your money. Remember his selling out on the HCR.
To Alan Grayson: Instead of the pathetic sob story, why didn’t you show his voting record and something he’s accomplished that would benefit the people of this country.
Karen
karenb March 3rd, 2012 at 7:46 am
So what.
If he hung himself up on the cross for you as the lone hold out on HCR then you could cry over his loss.
Get real. There was no movement to support him because not to support Obama is racist. got it? /s sort of .
The mob was looking to kill Dennis because he refused to privatize city power or garbage, but another mobster took out the hit man with a car bomb, unrelated to Dennis.
Kucinich is great on making futile legislative gestures when the establishment has chosen its unalterable course of action. When Kucinich had that one rare chance to make a difference, he buckled. Offering hope, demanding change, and then further entrenching the status quo – who other than K has done that recently?
Send money if you want to, but just be aware of what you are buying.
But K. never fights To WIN for US; neither do you other DEMs; and FDL simply censors those of US who try.
I’m certainly not a wealthy person, dependent as I am on Soc. Sec. and a small pension (under $150/mo), but I am sending a contribution to 2 of the people I respect most in Congress.
As to Kucinich’s position on the Health Care Reform Bill, I would have voted just as he did, and just as Bernie Sanders did. Not only were they under extreme pressure, but I am also convinced that if the legislation is passed and becomes law, it can then be changed and improved over time, just as Social Security was. On the other hand, if it was again defeated, it would have handed another victory to the Rethugs, and more importantly, no politician would have touched the issue of health care again for at least a generation. So, yes, I agree that the HCR put thru sucks and there is very little benefit in it compared to the time spent in the fight, but there is some (no more being thrown out for pre-existing conditions comes to mind, and a few other provisions that should be helpful). More importantly, now there is a base from which to transition into something better. Ultimately, I’m aiming for opening Medicare (or some single payer, altho I think Medicare is more easily adapted) for all, but people under 65 (or maybe 55) will pay premiums until they reach the normal age to receive Medicare.
Geez, some of us are soooo hard to please! I just hate these “he failed me one time so he’s now a throw away!” one issue deals. Dennis is and has long been one of the few worth his salary, so I say, get over it already. We can’t all be perfect all the time.
A tiny hand full of Democrats supported Kucinich’ primary run in ’08. There is no place in the Democratic Party for a real progressive. Dennis is a good man and a truth teller but he is wasting his time in the Fascist, Imperialist Democratic Party.
“I just hate these “he failed me one time so he’s now a throw away!” one issue deals.”
Well, no, it is more than one issue and far more than one only one bad example for Obama and the democrats.
Civil Rights – http://newprogs.org/blog/2011/11/09/civil-rights-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
Economy – http://newprogs.org/blog/2011/11/10/economy-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
Education – http://newprogs.org/blog/2012/01/14/education-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
Environment – http://newprogs.org/blog/2011/11/08/environment-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
Transparency – http://newprogs.org/blog/2012/02/27/transparency-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
Unions – http://newprogs.org/blog/2012/02/05/unions-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
War – http://newprogs.org/blog/2011/11/11/wars-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
Whistleblower – http://newprogs.org/blog/2011/11/09/whistleblowers-under-democraticrepublican-uni-party
See also “Grayson, Kucinich, Warren, and the Road to Hell” at http://newprogs.org/blog/2011/06/03/grayson-kucinich-warren-and-road-hell
I recommended this, because I thought a lovely post. Having said that, I hope you’ll try to find that it takes some of what you request to say what I’m about to: Both political parties have sold the people out. While I’m fond of Mr Kucinich and find you compelling, I fail to understand why you both continue to support a bought and paid for rank and file system that has marginalized you both to the extent that you’ve been ousted and Mr Kucinich seems on the verge of it.
I’m an avid occupier who believes that there is no need to fear anarchy, as we are there. My dictionary defines it as a state of society without government or law. Since the rule of law is not equally applied or enforced and all three branches of government at the federal level have been channeled into the interests of commerce at the expense of communities, I contend our current condition as a society meets the criteria. Other definitions that apply? Plutocracy…fascism, a term I’ve heard described as a merger of governmental and corporate bodies. Think me duplicitous if you believe it warrants, but I work parallel paths as a catalyst for what I see is much needed change. I view and act on what can be done within what frame there is, but also outside that frame is an international paradigm shift we lovingly refer to as the Occupation, and whatever it’s bringing ain’t going away, for we are forged in a global awakening and awareness that demands worldwide social and economic justice which I’m proud to be an advocate of and for.
I implore you, denounce the lie that is modern politics, it is theater and stands no chance to render genuine and substantive governance. Reach out to this movement’s facilitators and help us bring forward to now. This may be a last chance, and no disrespect intended, but maybe more yours than mine. The upcoming election cycle is at this moment, (according to the 2012 overview at Open Secrets) a billion dollar farce if you add up house, senate and presidential races. Take up with Mr Kucinich and launch a ticket, no logo style. Make the operational model of this nation a more accurate reflection of what the framers intended. I ask because I believe the country’s shelf life is running out of chances too.
Pitching motion concluded.
Who does Dennis Kucinich support for president? For US Senate? For any and all elected office? Enough said.
I have no understanding of why Dennis supports this system or why he provides it with the political cover it does not deserve. Especially when that political system allowed his own constituents to be disenfranchised and even lose the right to vote or have that vote counted. In Ohio 2004 remember? Which has affected all of us to this day.
Also, as mentioned Dennis lost a huge amount of credibility when he took his airplane ride on the Health Care Plan.
I would rather that we send our money to Rocky Anderson, Or Anita Rios Green Party US Senate candidate in Ohio. Or obviously
Michael Cavlan RN
Candidate US senate 2012
Minnesota Open Progressives
People that Dennis Kucinich would not and could not support.
To workingclass@11:
Ding! As a lifelong Independent and old-line (as opposed to MoveOn/PDA/PCCC ersatz) Progressive, I supported K in 2008 and long before. But at some point he (and Mr. Grayson) need to cash in their (considerable) Progressive cred by walking away from the UniParty and leading the way to our future – instead of following OFA down the tubes.
Reply to Ann at 6:
“We can’t all be perfect all the time.” …but all times are not equal. He buckled on the one time when resistance could have made a real difference.
“…it can then be changed and improved over time,…” – I think that this is extremely unlikely. The insurance companies will get 45,000,000 new customers plus the profits that come with them, and with those enormous assets they will fight to preserve a system that benefits the insurance companies. Any proposals for change will be met with a campaign a thousand times fiercer than “Harry and Louise”. In any case, no proposals for change will be made for at least another generation because the proponents of Obomneycare will insist on waiting to see how this version works out. “Hoping for change” – again – brings to mind “Fool me once…”.
I am familiar with Dennis’ story and I respect him for the things he did to overcome his disadvantaged youth, and I respect what he did as Mayor of Cleveland, and later as that district’s Representative. Dennis was just beginning to sprout his political wings when I last lived in Ohio, and if I had lived in Cleveland proper at the time, I would have voted for him. I respect the fact that he has not made himself a rich man while in Congres, shunning lobbyist money. I donated to his campaign prior to the 2008 elections, and voted for him in the primaries.
However, when it was crunch time and he had a chance to back up his threat to not support HCR, he caved and allowed Obama to dominate him. When he could have made a principled stand and maybe gotten some concessions, he quietly folded.
It’s like this: Kucinich is not a rich man, or a famous man. People with money, or fame or both, can get away with abandoning their principles, even commit crimes, and be redeemed in the eyes of their peers. But if all one has is their principles – well, once you compromise those, you got nuthin’. Any influence you had – gone. Respect among your peers – gone.
So by caving on HCR, Kucinich essentially neutered himself. And because of that, he has less influence now within the Democratic Party than he had before, because everyone knows he can be ‘rolled.’ I would strongly encourage Dennis to go to a third party, or go independent.
Recc’ed
Not because of the article but because of the conversation.
If you’re censored, why can we see your comment?
Or is “censorship” what you call it when efforts to hijack FDL fall flat?
Alan, I recall your whole-hearted support for Israel’s illegal peace flotilla raid murders, one of which was of an American citizen. You may have gotten a lot of emotional satisfaction from that event, and you be better than most on most issues, but I don’t value your judgement.
Complete bullshit, this.
But thanks for playin’, edur.