Can we do something formal on DU to thank Dennis Kucinich for introducing articles of impeachment

[John Q. Citizen]

against Dick Chaney?

And for introducing Single Payer Fee For Service Universal Health Care with John Conyers?

And for introducing a bill to withdraw ALL American Troops from Iraq?

PS

I like Elizabeth Edwards, and I'm glad she phoned up Coulter and tried to reason with her. But in the bigger scheme of things, I think Dennis Kucinich is a true progressive hero. Who else has introduced so much high quality and necessary legislation ever in the last 5 years?

[saracat]

1. This wasn't meant to be "compete and compare".Each have worthy contributions.

It is just that Elizabeth is currently being pilloried by the MSM for doing exactly what DU has been saying for years someone should do.This takes nothing away from anything anyone else has doen regarding anything else.Or maybe we should send Ted Kennedy something for always being there?

[John Q. Citizen]

2. When did Ted introduce impeachment, single payer, and the best plan to withdraw ALL the troops?

I mean, that's the triple crown of progressive IMHO.

Kucinich has done that all this session.

[saracat]

3. He has always been on the right side of all issues no matter what the circumstances.

And he has been around forever.He does call for Iraq withrawal and universal healthcare.As for impeachment, he knows it is unlikely as you have to "prove' it AND get the votes.Dennis knows it isn't going to happen and he has nothing to lose by saying it.I am glad Dennis speaks as he does but unfortanely, it doesn't resonate.Again this isn't compete and comapare.Reminds me of a friend who when celebrating my Birthday said"but no one did anything for mine!"

[John Q. Citizen]

6. I like Ted, but to the best of my knowledge he never introduced Single payer

or uttered the word impeachment in regards to the current administration.

Someone has to start these things. There is a visionary who must begin, and then, after pushing and working others come on board.

Everybody alive (who'se not a Jehova's Witness) has a birthday. Hopefully everyone gets what they want for their birthday, though I know some don't.

I just think we should do something to thank Dennis for his courage to be the first on so many truely progressive fronts. I believe it would help give him the strenght to keep up the good fight. Often it takes a long time of introducing and reintroducing legislation to get it passed. I'm sure both Ted Kennedy and Elizbeth Edwards know that. And I know that Dennis knows it too.

It takes a lot of courage to be a pioneer, to be the first. I'd like to see us thank him for that.

[saracat]

9. I like Dennis too.I interviewed him the other day and he is far more

impressive than he was in 2004.I interviewed him then too.But no matter what he does in the eyes of many , he is "not electable' and it is really a "looks " issue.On the other hand, look how many are holding John Edwards looks against him! They say he is "too good looking" Go figure.You can't win either way.You might notice that not many want to applaud Elizabeth either and she is a DUer and is doing what they are whining about.

[John Q. Citizen]

10. I really didn't know squat about Dennis in 2004. It was last year when I read his

detailed and thorough position papers that I went, Wow, this guy is smart and he's right. I started learning his history and I really like and trust the guy. I'm impressed.

I think that he, like Gore benefited immensely from his time in the political wilderness. It gave them both an authenticity and a depth I find lacking in a lot of other politicians. It gave them the courage of their convictions, so to speak.

If I had to vote for one of the so-called 3 "top tier candidates" I'd vote for Edwards over either Obama or Clinton. I respect that Edwards laid out a detailed health care plan early on, even though I don't embrace it. I think subsidizing Insurance companies to provide health care for the middle/lower middle and lower classes is wrong headed and bound to fail. I also don't like that Edwards seems to embrace American empire just as much as the other top tier candidates do.

That said, I do believe it takes courage to put poverty as the central point of a campaign, and I like that about Edwards, though I'm not sure how to reconcile that with subsidizing private insurance companies and with empire. Ending poverty and embracing empire seem to be as mutually exclusive today as they were during the LBJ administration. Is was the embracing of empire after all, that ultimately doomed LBJ's war on poverty.

I've always liked Elizabeth Edwards and I think she is one of John's greatest assets. She comes off as very real, and very down to earth. I applaud her attempt to communicate some basic human information to Coulter, yet I don't see it as extraordinary. I see it as just who she (Elizabeth) is, down to earth and real.

[DemBones DemBones]

25. I don't get what's wrong with his looks, especially when compared with certain

other presidents I could name, all of them Republican. Maybe that's it. Maybe only Republicans will run a guy without caring about his hair, his height, etc. Maybe too many Dems are too shallow to vote for Dennis because he's short and not a Greek god. I've just never looked at people that way. A lot of great people are average looking or homely and a lot of good-loooking people are not such great people. I'm sure I'd like Elizabeth Kucinich because she obviously looked at who Dennis is and ignored the fact that she's 6" taller than he is.

[polichick]

4. I hope one day he gets to head up...

The U.S. Department of Peace :patriot:

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Another modern first by a true visionary.

[DemBones DemBones]

5. I think we should, but it will be hard to convince

all the centrists here. The lack of respect for Kucinich at DU speaks volumes about the alleged "progressive values" of DUers.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. Like all visionaries, he gets dumped on. However, like all visionaries it

rolls off like water off a ducks back.

First they ignore you
then they ridicule you
then they fight you
then you win - Gandhi

I'd like to place "then a group of folks who appreciate your hard work, dedication and vision to create a better world do something to thank you" between the 2nd and 3rd line!

:-)

[DemBones DemBones]

12. Yes, he takes it all in stride. Admirable. nt

[lonestarnot]

17. Call him John Q.

[John Q. Citizen]

22. I took your advice and did call him. His DC office person was very pleasant and said she'd pass on

my thanks.

[calimary]

11. At the very least, keep calling his office to say thank you, and keep

working to support the bills he introduces.

[dmosh42]

13. Too bad we don't have more like Kucinich....

He received a paltry $22,000 from the insurance industry, compared to HRC getting 7 million, and Obama 2 million.(opencongress.org) His biggest amount came from Labor. That alone tells me he's his own man, and is highly regarded in my book. Our leading people are just a continuation of the sorry policies we have now, and have no connection with the 'comman man'.

[Le Taz Hot]

23. Great site!

Thanks for the reference. I've bookmarked it.

:hi:

[JTFrog]

14. How about thanking him

with your vote and/or donation? No other current candidate comes close to giving the people what they voted for last November.

[DemBones DemBones]

24. Excellent point -- send him money and vote for him. nt

[MaineDem]

15. Not everyone at DU is in favor of impeachment. n/t

[hootinholler]

16. Peaches are in season!

We could send him some MMMM-peaches.

-Hoot

[John Q. Citizen]

18. That's a good idea. n/t

[Schema Thing]

19. k for DK!

[slipslidingaway]

20. K&R! I gave to his campaign a couple of days ago, hopefully

others who are able to might consider donating as well.

:toast:

[slipslidingaway]

21. kick n/t

[LWolf]

26. I have some suggestions.

First...everyone should donate before July 1st. He's not getting the corporate money. It's up to the people who support him to keep him funded.

Second...there should be no more "unelectable" bullshit. Declaring the best "unelectable" is an admission of defeat before a vote is ever cast.