Candidate Positions

Original source: http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Articles7/Frank_Kucinich.htm

His progressive vision may well resonate with many young activists. He says if elected he will repeal NAFTA and exit the United States from the World Trade Organization. Kucinich says, “NAFTA has spurred a $360 billion trade deficit, costing 363,000 high-paying jobs, most in manufacturing. This is called free trade. Where is freedom when jobs are lost? Where is freedom when industries threaten to move out of the country unless wages are cut? Where is freedom when the right to bargain collectively is crushed? Where is freedom when a union is broken?”

Perhaps just as George McGovern was the anti-war’s elected voice during the late Vietnam era - Kucinich hopes he can become the delegate of globalization’s combatants. He certainly is the only Democrat running for President that has lashed free trade with such a savory eloquence.

Original source: http://kucinich.us/issues/energy.php

Thanks to advances in renewables, there are fewer technical obstacles to energy independence for our country. There are many political obstacles — but the oil, auto and electric utility corporations should not be directing energy policy. We must work to spur research and investment in “alternative” energy sources such as hydrogen, solar, wind and ocean, and make them mainstream. Clean energy technologies will produce new jobs. We can and must double our energy from renewable sources by 2010. And we can very soon have hybrid and fuel cell cars dominating the market.

As a peace advocate, I hope to launch a major renewables effort so that Middle East oil fields will not loom so large as strategic or military targets. There has to be a renewable energy portfolio of at least 20% by 2010. And that means introducing wind, solar, hydrogen, geothermal, biomass, and all of the options that must be available and need incentivizing. That also means withdrawing incentives for the production of nonrenewable energy. I’m not talking about building new hydro dams; I’m not talking about damming up more rivers and streams. We need to subsidize the development of new energy technologies. And I’m willing to do that through NASA, which has been of singular importance to our economy by developing technologies for propulsion, for aerospace, for materials, for medicines, and for communication. We need to fund NASA in, among other areas, a mission to planet Earth.

Original source: http://www.kucinichforcongress.com/issues/vouchers.php

Vouchers

Vouchers are no solution for students in poor families, no solution for education in America. School vouchers might seem a relatively benign way to increase the options poor parents have for educating their children. In fact, they pose a serious threat to values that are vital to the health of American democracy.

Vouchers represent an attempt to disestablish not only public education, but the entire public realm. Even in Cleveland and Milwaukee, where voucher programs are in place, there have been no tangible results in student achievement. Instead, the programs have diverted public money away from the vast majority of public school students. In most cases, these are the students who need it the most.

In Congress, I have voted consistently against legislation on school vouchers. I voted NO on HR 4380 to allow vouchers in Washington DC schools, and NO on HR 2746 to allow states to use certain federal funds designated for elementary and secondary education to provide vouchers to low-income families to send children to private schools. Voters, for the last 30 years, have rejected vouchers every time they’ve been proposed.

Oftentimes, funds for vouchers compete with funds for overall improvements in America’s public schools. For this reason, teachers, parents, and the general public have been long opposed to the programs. As a nation, we must fight to improve public schools and oppose alternatives that divert attention, energy, and resources from efforts to reduce class size, enhance teacher quality, and provide every student with books, computers, and safe and orderly schools.

Original source:http://kucinich.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=62819

“The tragic events in Blacksburg, Virginia which took 33 lives are not an isolated example of the effects of gun violence in America. In fact, about 32 people perish each and every day in America in hand gun related incidents,” Kucinich said in a speech to Congress today.
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Kucinich is currently drafting legislation that would ban the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians. A gun buy-back provision will be included in the bill.

Original source: http://kucinich.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=1562

Congressman Kucinich is deeply concerned about the plight of immigrants in this country, whether immigrants are joining close family members, fleeing their home countries as refugees, or coming for legal employment. He advocates for a fair and compassionate immigration policy that promotes human rights and family values. He is committed to working in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that our nation always extends a helping hand to its immigrants. Additionally, Congressman Kucinich believes that America must have in place a balanced system that carefully screens those who wish to come into the United States and admits only those who do not pose a security risk and who can contribute to our society.

Refugees

Congressman Kucinich is a strong advocate on behalf of refugees, who flee their homelands because they fear persecution on account of their race, religion, membership in a social group, political opinion or national origin. He has sponsored several bills to make it easier for refugees, who make up 6% of all immigrants, to come to the United States. Congressman Kucinich believes that if refugees can demonstrate that they have a well-founded fear of persecution, then the United States has a moral responsibility to assist them.

Defending the Rights of Legal Immigrants

Congressman Kucinich was an original cosponsor of legislation that would prohibit the use of “secret evidence” in trials conducted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He believes that the cornerstone of our judicial system is that evidence cannot be used against someone unless he or she has the chance to confront it. Congressman Kucinich strives to ensure the rights of all citizens regardless of race, religion, creed, ethnic orientation, sexual orientation, disabilities or age.

Original source: http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=47366

Statement On The Veto Override Of The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

Washington, Jul 19, 2006 - Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement on the House vote to override the President’s veto of HR 810, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act:

“This debate is not about whether or not embryonic stem cell research should occur. The Administration is not stopping private embryonic stem cell research. It just opposes the expansion of public stem cell research. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act is the safest, most ethically and morally sound way to proceed with this potentially life-saving scientific advancement.

“The private sector is not restricted from such research. The legislation, vetoed today, would have expanded the number of frozen embryos to be used for stem cell research by the Federal Government. Federally sponsored research is subject to greater oversight and safeguards and higher ethical standards.

“Recent scientific breakthroughs have demonstrated that embryonic stem cell research has life saving potential. It could result in saving millions of lives. It could be the answer to the prayers of those who suffer from Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating conditions.

“Embryonic stem cell research will continue with or without the federal government. This bill would have expanded federal research, which will be subject to greater oversight and safeguards.

“I disagree with the President’s decision to veto this important legislation and hope Congress will continue to work to advance this important, and life saving research.”

 Original source: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0223-05.htm

On the stump this past week, and in an interview with The Chronicle, Kucinich now describes himself as “pro-choice.” He said he has undergone a slow evolution that has led him to the conclusion that legal abortions are not only constitutionally sound, but also fundamental to a woman’s equality.