Kucinich has his day
Originally published in the Daily Tar Heel
April 05, 2004
Kucinich has his day
By Sarah Hancox
Staff Writer
Crowds of people waving flags and carrying banners for peace gathered in Carrboro on Sunday to hear a speech by Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.
It was the first time that a well-known presidential candidate visited the town, and in honor of the occasion, Mayor Mike Nelson proclaimed Sunday "Dennis Kucinich Day."
The celebration took place at the Carrboro Farmers' Market at 301 W. Main St. and was sponsored by Nelson and North Carolina Kucitizens.
The event opened with a peace chant led by Jon Seskevich of Universal Chanting, followed by songs sung by the Raging Grannies. "Welcome Dennis, welcome Dennis, we love you," sang the Grannies as Kucinich took the stage. In his speech, Kucinich stressed the need for a clear vision for the Democratic Party that would address the issues of the common people.
Kucinich is campaigning on a platform that calls for universal health care, withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization, the repeal of the USA PATRIOT Act, universal prekindergarten through college education and the development of clean energy.
He also criticized the Bush administration's actions in Iraq. "When will we learn that America cannot be the policeman of the world?" he said.
Kucinich said he thinks that the United Nations needs to intervene in Iraq and that U.S. troops should come home. He called for an end to the "privatization of Iraq."
"It's time for our country to rejoin the world," Kucinich said. "Going alone won't work. Going alone never works."
Kucinich also said he thinks the war has put unnecessary economic strains on the country. If elected, he would cut Pentagon funding by 16 percent to provide money for education. Other economic reforms Kucinich endorses include an end to tax cuts for the wealthy and converting the for-profit health care system to nonprofit to provide universal care.
On domestic issues, Kucinich is passionate about creating affordable housing, curbing unemployment and preventing domestic and community violence.
"My folks never had a home, Kucinich said. "When I was 17, we had lived in 21 different places and that included a few cars."
Kucinich said he thinks the government should create programs to counter unemployment and provide affordable housing.
As a member of Congress, Kucinich submitted a bill to create a Cabinet-level department of peace to counter violence in the United States and to encourage peaceful foreign policy.
Kucinich and his supporters urged people to vote in the presidential preference caucus April 17. Voter registration booths were set up at the event. Sally Goener, treasurer of Kucinich for President, estimated that more than 100 people registered during the event.
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