Guillermo Gomez-Pena

If courage is a flaw, then Kucinich loses

I have joined the local Kucinich campaign committee.
This letter is from the Abq. Tribune on Saturday, Sept. 29. It was written by Rosamund Evans:

If courage is a flaw, then Kucinich loses

Did I miss an election? The presidential candidates' primaries are a month away, yet I hear that Ohio Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich is "unelectable" and is omitted from Iowa Democratic events (Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's rally) and even national TV broadcasts and debates.

He has been made invisible, even on the issue of health care.

Who decided Kucinich is not electable? As nearly as I know, he has not been involved in any fund-raising scandals, and he has not been accused of lying or committing illegal acts.

He has voted consistently and strongly for the rights of workers to be represented by unions and have a safe work environment, guaranteed by laws that are enforced. For example, protecting miners against mining companies that put miners at risk for increased profits.

He never voted for the Iraq attack and invasion or for the billions to support that pre-emptive strike. He did not vote for the occupation, the "surge" or the billions to pay war profiteers with no-bid, no-oversight contracts to conduct that occupation. But the American people, by a large majority, also vote this way when polled or listened to in any way. Does that show he is not electable?

Kucinich voted against the Patriot Act and against all the changes in the laws that have protected citizens for centuries, including the right of habeas corpus and the right to be secure in the protection of privacy.

Kucinich not only believes in the necessary right to health care but wrote and introduced in 2004 a single-payer health care bill. With Rep. John Conyers, it was reintroduced as HR 676 in January 2007. Called "Medicare for All," it is a carefully planned change. It has 77 co-signers. It would cover everyone with comprehensive care and cost less than is now spent for U.S. health care. It is affordable because it challenges the huge profits that are now paid with tax money to HMOs, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and nursing home chains.

The American people want, by a huge percentage, a plan that simplifies, reduces the one-third overhead now paid and eliminates deductibles and co-pays. Health care dollars for health care, not advertising, administration and CEO income.

But corporations don't want this change. Is this why the corporate media and the corporate pundits declare Kucinich "unelectable"?

If courageous stands against corporate greed and corporate influence make a candidate "unelectable," if corporations choose the candidates, fund the campaigns and determine what information is heard, do we have voting rights in a democracy? A poll tax is not needed for control, as the choices have been made before printing the ballot. More efficient!

Kucinich is an honest, experienced congressman with a message of hope and plans for sound, intelligent changes. I want his message heard so that people can decide whether they want to vote for him or the candidates financed by corporate money.

Rosamund Evans

Albuquerque