Presidential candidate addresses UAW
Originally published in the PJ Star
Presidential candidate addresses UAW
Kucinich favors canceling NAFTA; local media removed from meeting [by union]
March 15, 2004
By CARRIE KEPPLE and ANDREA HICKS
of the Journal Star
Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich spoke of his support for hard-working Americans when meeting with the United Auto Workers in East Peoria on Sunday.
The U.S. representative from Ohio addressed a crowd of more than 300 union members and other members of the community about two key issues he is standing by in his presidential campaign - universal health care and bilateral trade.
Earlier, in Galesburg, he talked about ending U.S. involvement in Iraq and creating a cabinet-level department of peace. With the closure of the local Maytag plant and a loss of 1,600 jobs looming, he knew he'd be fielding questions about the North American Free Trade Agreement.
"I'm in favor of canceling NAFTA and WTO and going back to bilateral trade," Kucinich said. "I am in favor of workers having fundamental workers' rights. This campaign is about taking the Democratic Party in a new direction.
"NAFTA is about the undermining of our American way of life. It's about the destruction of the American dream. And it's about greed - greed on a scale that's hard to comprehend."
Shortly before his speech in East Peoria, members of the media were forced to leave because of UAW members fear of leaking union secrets. The union currently is in negotiations with Caterpillar Inc.
Kucinich was available in a last-minute, informal news conference immediately following his speech.
"I am in favor of health care for all," Kucinich said. "The plan I am offering would change the dynamics of health care for all."
While he has virtually no chance of winning the Democratic Party's nomination, Kucinich said there are bigger issues. Peace is his ultimate goal.
"Fifty percent of discretionary spending is in the U.S. Pentagon and $200 billion is being spent on the war in Iraq. How do we have money for bombs but not for education?" Kucinich asked.
The department of peace which would oversee programs dealing with violence of every kind, from domestic violence to war.
"The department of peace is something that celebrates human rights, and works to uphold them," he said. "On an international level it actually looks at those areas which promote conflict, such as economic turmoil."
Kucinich said the department would seek to "make non-violence an organizing principle in our society for domestic as well as international policy."
"There are people who see the world as a very threatening place, where, for example, America is at war with the forces of evil," he said. "And with that kind of a vision, circumstances are created that help move a nation toward conflict. If we believe in the inevitability of war, what do we get?"
His Galesburg audience provided the answer: War.
"We have a government that is addicted to war," he said in East Peoria.
East Peoria resident Chris Mattern said after hearing the candidate speak, he thinks he would follow through with promises if elected.
"With his past record, he is sure to be a good candidate," Mattern said.
Washington resident David Thompson said he plans to make a statement Tuesday by voting for Kucinich but said he is unsure what his vote will be come November.
Kucinich said the purpose of his continuing campaign is to influence debate.
"While the Democratic nomination has pretty much been determined, what has not been determined is the direction of the Democratic Party, and the direction that this nation is going to go in for the next four years," he said.
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