Kucinich makes second stop in West Branch, Iowa
Originally published in the West Branch Times
Kucinich makes second stop in West Branch
11/19/2003
For the second time in the pre-caucus campaign season, Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich swooped into West Branch.
Kucinich gave a brief speech and answered questions at the Town Hall Friday night. Cedar County Democrats for Kucinich hosted the event, which drew about 60 people.
Kucinich told the group, mostly supporters, that he believes he can be a "beacon of light" in what he considers a current "fog" in America.
The candidate said Sept. 11, 2001, "caused Americans to withdraw...be fearful."
His goal, he said, is to help Americans "break free of their fears."
Kucinich referred to his focus on peace, and reduced military spending.
"Our insistence on having a military budget which dwarfs the rest of the world does not send a signal to the world of courage...it sends a signal of fear," Kucinich said.
He outlined what he says will be his focus: health care for all, free college education, more affordable housing and a "more equitable distribution of wealth."
In the question-and-answer session, most questions focused on Kucinich's health care plan. One attendee wondered how he planned to pay for universal health care for all citizens.
Kucinich said Americans are already spending $1.4 trillion on health care. That's the pricetag of his plan. His, however, will eliminate the for-profit nature of health care.
He said he would have all for-profit health care companies in the U.S. become not-for-profit. In addition, he said all Americans would be covered from "cradle to grave."
When asked how he felt about minimum wage, Kucinich again turned to his platform.
With government-run health care, he asked audience members to think about how much money they would save by not paying insurance premiums. He added that people would find savings by not having to pay college tuitions. In addition, he noted many would save thousands by not having to pay for childcare, which he would like the government to provide.
"Today, look where we're going," Kucinich added. "Tax cuts for those at the top, a war...an expanded Pentagon budget. We don't have money for health care, education, affordable housing...why is it we have money for tax cuts, for the war?"
In his final push for support, Kucinich reminded people of the January caucuses.
"In a couple of months, the people in Iowa will tell the rest of the country what kind of country you want," he said.
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