Kucinich: "Mr. Speaker, call the cops!"

[goodhue]

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/050601ss1min_1.html

For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Kucinich Criticizes Administration’s Plan To Cut Benefits and Privatize Social Security

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) took to the House floor today to criticize the Administration’s plan to cut benefits and privatize Social Security.

Kucinich stated:

“This morning, we learn The White House wants to not only privatize Social Security but also cut retirees benefits. Privatization takes money from retirees on Main Street and gives it to the Enron’s of Wall Street. Will Wall Street care about what happens to precious Social Security funds when more than half of the private pension funds in the US are already insolvent?

“And cut benefits? The American people cannot afford a cut in benefits. No one is cutting the cost of food, rent, electricity, gas, oil, or property taxes. There is a solution. Keep the Wall Street White House hands off. Do not privatize Social Security. Do not cut benefits. Social Security is rock solid through 2042. The only crisis is attempted theft of retirees’ benefits. Mr. Speaker, call the cops! The American people are being robbed.”

[AlbizuX]

1. that's my boy!

you go Dennis!

[Old and In the Way]

2. great quote.....

Thanks DK!

[quiet.american]

3. Lovin' this guy n/t

[InvisibleBallots]

4. who the hell is this guy?

He sounds like a Democrat. Remember them?

[charlie]

12. Shh. Keep it down

You'll blow this rare sighting of an endangered species in the wild.

[Telly Savalas]

60. Despite any frustrations many here have with the Democrats...

most of them are on board with the opposition to the GOP Social Security Demolition Project. Granted there are still some knuckleheads lost in the woods on this, but for the most part the Democrats seem to be uniting in oppostion to the insanity on this issue.

[LWolf]

48. He's the Democrat that

brought me out of independence to participate in a primary for the first time in my almost 45 years.

He's the Democrat I proudly supported in the primaries, all the way to the convention.

He's the democrat that can count on my support.

[redqueen]

5. I so love that guy!

[stellanoir]

6. Ya gotta love this guy

n/t

[ernstbass]

7. You gotta love this guy

[stellanoir]

9. jinx

or cokes. . .too funny

[katinmn]

8. I love it!

Thank you, Dennis!

[Swamp Rat]

10. Kick ass Dennis!

:kick:

[blm]

11. History will prove DK is one of the best Congress will ever have.

And he's just getting started.

[flobee1kenobi]

14. was this on c-span?

is there any video or even audio?
I gotta hear this! :-)

[RaleighNCDUer]

20. I just hope he eschews the use of small aircraft. n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

70. EXCELLENT POINT!!!

[Lostnote03]

58. Kucinich is a Diamond in the Rough!!!

[ohioliberal]

13. What an awesome statement

He did the same yesterday, He's the reason I still have hope!

[Political_Junkie]

15. Ain't he just the greatest?!

:loveya: Dennis

[loudsue]

16. Kucinich ROCKS!!

This man "gets it"!

:loveya: Dennis, Dennis: What would we do without you? :loveya:

O8) Please stay out of small planes. O8)

:kick::kick::kick:

[Patiod]

17. No pink tutu for you, Dennis

[Quakerfriend]

18. It is so refreshing

to have a few real people in Congress! Rock on DK!

[DiverDave]

19. Meanwhile, back in Ohio...

people can't vote, votes are thrown out...

Where was Dennis?? oh yeah tilting at windmills...again.

Yeah, he rocks :eyes:

[goodhue]

21. Kucinich Speech on Ohio Challenge . . .

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/050106electoralcollege.html

For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Floor Speech Of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich On The Challenge To The Ohio Electoral College Vote

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) gave the following speech today on the House floor during consideration of an objection to the certification of the Electoral College votes from Ohio:

“Let us not denigrate factual concerns about the Ohio election by dismissing them as simply partisan. This is not about Democrat or Republican votes. It is not about red or blue or black or white. It is not about wrong and right. It is not about winners or losers. It is about protecting voting rights in our democracy against corruption.

“Let us review just one of the very serious concerns with the Ohio election. Voting machines were misallocated causing some voters to stand in line for 10 hours. That denies voters equal protection of the law. In the states’ capitol, a shortage of machines in predominately African American communities was created. Even though the Secretary of State knew far in advance that 102,000 voters were registered in that county alone. The misallocation of machines was estimate to have denied at least 15,000 people the opportunity to vote.

“Furthermore the Secretary of State, who, under Ohio law has a constitutional duty to ensure election laws are upheld, failed to issue guidelines under the Help American Vote Act (HAVA) for two years. Contrary to the spirit of HAVA (which is to encourage voting and to have every vote count), Ohio’s top election official conducted the activities of his office in a most partisan manner, undermining public trust in the election. He sharply restricted the ability of voters to use provisional ballots. He endeavored to make it more difficult for lower income people, who are more likely to move, to vote.

“We know who won the election. But what the American people do not know is the extend to which voting irregularities in the State of Ohio deprived tens of thousands of my fellow citizens of their Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection of the law and their constitutionally protected right to vote.

“The right to vote is expressly protected by the Fifteenth Amendment, the Nineteenth, the Twenty-Fourth and the Twenty-Sixth Amendments to the United States constitution.

“It is that right which has produced our very presence in this chamber. It is that right which binds us as a nation, which creates the unity of states, which legitimizes the government, which enfranchises not just a people, but in which reposes the treasure of the American people: A Government of the people, by the people and for the people. People have marched for that right, have put in their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor on the line for that right, and the least we can do is show our commitment to protecting that right.

“The outcome of the election will remain unchanged. But what we must change is a system which denied citizens of a great state their opportunity to change the outcome. Election reform is our solemn duty. Out statements today show is we intend to do our duty.”

Roll Call vote . . .

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll007.xml

Boxer
Brown, Corrine
Carson
Clay
Clyburn
Conyers
Davis (IL)
Evans

Farr
Filner
Grijalva
Hastings (FL)
Hinchey
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson, E. B.

Jones (OH)
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kucinich
Lee
Lewis (GA)
Markey
McKinney
Olver

Owens
Pallone
Payne
Schakowsky
Thompson (MS)
Waters
Watson
Woolsey

[stevedeshazer]

36. Great photo collage

The real patriots.

[buddhamama]

30. B.S.

DK has been acting on voting problems.

from Nov. 10th

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1110-31.htm

and, He signed the petition of challenge, spoke eloquently on the House floor,etc.

this is from April 4, 2004
http://www.opednews.com/kucinichpr042404_electronic_voting.htm

tell us again how he has done nothing

edited to add links

[DiverDave]

55. Did he stand UP??

I sure didnt see him up there.

So I call BS...
oh, to be a blind follower.

[buddhamama]

56. Bwhahahah-

yeah, DK stood up. goodhue posted the transcript of the speech he gave Thursday on the House floor. How did you miss it, as it was a direct response to your original post in this thread?!

the discussion thread link- fellow DUers commenting of Dennis' speech
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2912281&mesg_id=2912281

my vision is just fine, thank you very much. yours, on the other hand, I'd recommend getting it checked. :eyes:

[Lenape85]

22. He could have been our FDR

or at worst, our Barry Goldwater

[InvisibleBallots]

32. Barry Goldwater started the conservative movement

the one that wins all the elections now. I wish Dennis Kucinich was our Barry Goldwater.

[SmokingJacket]

23. Great guy!!!

Where did he get his balls?

I've got to order some for my representative.

[eridani]

52. I think he's always been that way

Anyone who will go out for football when they are 4'11" and weigh 98 lbs has a pair of big brass ones. Sure wish it was contagious.

[phylny]

24. Early on before all the primaries

I did an online questionnaire that matched my views to a candidate. Kucinich and I matched up pretty well, and he was "number one" on the list of candidates that thought the way I did.

My husband and I will have pension and other money in retirement, and are not going to rely only on SS money. My dad (77) and grandmother (95!), though, rely on it right now for living day-to-day.

There's an interesting thing about Wall Street and the amount of money people are making there. We live near NYC and I heard a report on the local news radio station over the Holidays. Seems that realtors and car dealers who were on vacation had to cut their time short and get back to work because the brokers got their bonuses.

Think six figures, folks. That's your money and my money, buying someone an apartment in Manhattan, a summer beach home, or a new Lexus. They don't NEED any more money.

If you want to invest, do so - we do. But Social Security funds should be less like "investing" and more like an insurance plan. We pay for insurance, because one day we might need it. We pay into SS now because we'll need it when we're older.

I hope that Bush's plan doesn't materialize. Everything the man puts his hands on turns to crap.

[mhr]

25. This Is Why He Got My Vote In The Primaries!

eom

[LibDemAlways]

66. Mine too.

Dennis is one of the few politicians who consistently stands up for the ordinary citizen. My repuke Congressman does not represent me, so I consider Dennis my voice in the House.

[hightension]

26. Why do honest people

never stand a chance?

Oh, my stupid. This is Amerika.

Sorry. Nevermind.

[leesa]

27. If ONLY America were mature enough for DK!

[Nadienne]

28. I love this:

"Privatization takes money from retirees on Main Street and gives it to the Enron’s of Wall Street."

So true, so true!!!

Boy, do I love this guy!!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

29. "But he has greasy hair!" "He looks like the Keebler elf!"

"He's too New Agie for the American people!" "He flip-flopped on abortion!" "We'll lose all fifty states!" "I love him, but we need to run someone electable!" "Remember McGovern and Dukakis!" "He's shrill!"

(Have I left any out?) :-)

[goodhue]

31. "He drinks hot water!"

That's my favorite reoccurring slam.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

61. Oh, wait, I did forget one:

"He's a vegan."

[LanternWaste]

33. Bravo, Sir!

Andd cut benefits? The American people cannot afford a cut in benefits. No one is cutting the cost of food, rent, electricity, gas, oil, or property taxes."

Bravo, Sir!

That's the theme we should be advertising to everyone and anyone.

In '92 or '93, the Republicans ran a brilliantly simplistic advertising campaign in response to Pres. Clinton's proposed Health Care Reform. The elderly couple worrying about "... big government in our medicine cabinets."

This is a perfect opportunity to counter Social Security "reform" with commercial spots that advertise the results: fewer benefits fewer returns, greater Social Insecurity.

The GOP galvanized their base during the health care battles and we now see a loyal and organized base. There's no reason we don't have that same opportunity if one or two Dem's would step up to the plate and point their bats into far right field.

[Behind the Aegis]

34. didn't know much about him

But after I watched him on the floor, I was VERY impressed! He spoke with such passion, I just wish it had been contagious! Can you imagine a Congress with Democrats like him and Boxer? We might actually push back the Religious Right!

[FreeStateDemocrat]

35. A mighty big man without fear of standing up for working Americans.

[raysr]

37. I'll never forget

that I got to shake his hand.

[The Sushi Bandit]

38. Go Dennis!!!!!!!

[Catchawave]

39. I am in awe of Dennis K....

When I first heard him speak at the Dem convention, he blew me away, as did his speech yesterday. :::applause:::

[goforit]

40. Robbed???........In broad daylight!!!!

Thank you Mr. K

[sleepyhead]

41. Yay, Dennis!

Love love love him!!!!!

[MergeLeft]

42. You have to love this little guy

He has some big balls!

[SheepyMcSheepster]

43. go Dennis!

[Catherine Vincent]

44. Oh man, that was a great sound bite!

Kucinich makes you proud to be Democratic!

[latebloomer]

45. Way cool!!

The guy has balls, heart and brains!

[Sugarbleus]

46. Yeahhhhhhhhhhh Baby!! GO DK!!

Gawd, I just want to hug that guy. Soooo much bravery, honesty, chutzpah from a guy who DOES NOT get $2000 haircuts!!

For me, DK and his ilk ARE the Messiah!! Go on, turn over those money changer's tables!!

I've got to write a letter to this man; it's been a long time.

I love you Dennis Kucinich! :loveya:

[Vidar]

47. This and the "Dean scream" is what we need. The white gloves,

gentlemanly approach doesn't work with thugs lik chimp and chump (cheney).

[jmatthan]

49. Dennis is the very best politician in the US

as seen by liberals around the world.

It is sad that your system wants TV acceptability to get nominated as a Presidential Candidate.

I hope he and the other 31 Democrats who voted for the electorate on January 6th will move and start another party of "For the People".

The Democratic Party of yesterday has become irrelevant.

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[TroubleMan]

50. Dennis rocks....check my sig

nt.

[lovuian]

51. He should have been our Presidential candidate

hopefully 2008!!!

[orleans]

53. what a brilliant remark

the last line could have been used on january 6th as well!

[porkrind]

54. Dennis is fantastic!

I voted for him in the primaries. Imagine what the US could be like if Dennis was Pres and all politicians were like him (progressive). The US would be a paradise instead of the current fascist dystopia built by the right-wing nazis.

[mzmolly]

57. Good one Mr. K!

:toast:

[RawMaterials]

59. SS is rock solid threw 2042

and that doesn't even count the echo generation the children of the baby boomer's, currently birth years 1978-1997 they haven't even really started to hit the job market, once they do SS is fine. We relay need to get the word out and stop all the propaganda thats going to start flowing.

By the way the real problem is Medicare, that might not be-able to be fixed.

[Desertrose]

62. This man is made of steel! ..good American steel LOL

Thank goddess he has the cajones to continue speaking and fighting for the people.....and for staying on message no matter what!!!!

I:loveya: this man!!!
DR

[Senator Lamb]

63. dont not much about him

sounds sincere and principled. sadly in this era he cannot be elected to the Presidency.

[MuseRider]

64. Dennis Kucinich

The first and only politician I have ever truly trusted.

[zann725]

65. Gotta love him!

His passion for issues reminds me of Wellstone. Aren't many of those around any more.

And even less in the Senate!

[mvd]

67. Go Dennis!

:loveya: Tell it like it is!

And I just knew he would follow through and vote for upholding the objection to Ohio's electors, even when he said knew the outcome wasn't in doubt.

[Deja Q]

68. Robbed by the vermin who dares call our country a 'culture of life'.

Thank you, Congressman Kucinich. You're the best thing in office right now. Watch your back.

[Ms. Clio]

69. My first and favorite Presidential candidate

Although I do admire Dr. Dean, too, Dennis Kucinich speaks the language of my deepest principles and passions.