Do you plan to vote in the electoral primaries? Do you know who you are voting for? Do you know why? I hope YOUR answer is “YES, Dennis Kucinich.” If it isn’t, read on. And if it is, pass the paper to the person next to you.
Fear Ends. Hope Begins. Read the slogan of Dennis Kucinich, democratic candidate for President 2004. Already some of you are thinking, “He can’t win.” My gut reaction,: “Of course He can’t win if YOU don’t vote for him.” What I really mean: Dennis Kucinich can win if people listen, if people vote with their hearts and their minds, if people believe. If you are concerned he can’t win, please understand, I am too. However, there is more to his campaign and more reasons to vote for Kucinich than the democratic nomination. In an effort to convince the skeptics, here is some pre-emptive information:
1. YOUR VOTE IS YOUR CHANCE TO SAY WHAT YOU WANT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO LOOK LIKE!!!
2. Each vote increases the number of Kucinich delegates that will attend the Democratic National Convention and determine the platform of the democratic nominee. So even if Kucinich does not win the nomination, his progressive values can influence the agenda.
3. Voting for Kucinich is one act in a larger movement for social justice. He is leading a grassroots organic campaign, inspiring individuals around the country to fight for their deepest ideals. He accepts no corporate sponsorship. Accordingly, the media repeatedly denies him coverage and tells us that has no chance so that we will doubt our vote and our values. WE CAN’T LET THE MEDIA’S CORPORATE INTERESTS DECIDE OUR VOTES!
4. If you never vote your heart, your values will never elect the president, and the president will never reflect your values.
5. If you fall into the category of “anybody but Bush,” please understand that there is currently NO united democratic voice and there is no candidate that even remotely guarantees a win. If you insist on voting for a winner, you are better off registering republican. BUT If you believe in transformation, in passion, in honesty, in peace, and in yourself, “anybody but Bush” will not do.
Kucinich presents peace as an organizing principle for society. He has outlined systematically how our government can facilitate values of cooperation and respect on every level of society. It is possible that we could live in a country that leads the world by these ideals. Kucinich answers a call for social justice and democratic reform. Kucinich stands for positive ideals that do not waver. Rather than simply voting against Bush, Kucinich present an opportunity to vote affirmatively for what you value and dream of. As his website currently asks: “You say you want change; how much change do you want?”
Fear Ends. Hope Begins. This is a difficult call in G. Dubya’s climate of fear: To stop being afraid. But it you are afraid that things can get worse; if you are frustrated to the point of apathy and non-action, Dennis Kucinich is source of political rejuvenation and vision. For those still unsure, feeling under-educated, or overwhelmed by the one power we have in this election—OUR VOTES—I propose we, as a campus, as a coalition of queers, as a cooperative effort of citizen-participants, rally a cry in electoral politics. In the echo of a retired QA, I propose, QB—Queer Bloc. For those interested in a queer electoral politic, one based in social justice and radical possibilities for this here democracy–PLEASE, LET’S COME TOGETHER AND USE OUR VOICES! Let’s get registered and educated before the primaries pass us by (MARCH 2nd 2004).
After watching the State of the Union with some housemates, I nearly cried myself to sleep. Saddened by a government that opposes my most fundamental beliefs, that questions my status as a full citizen.
It is rare that I find hope in mainstream politics. It is equally rare that I take the time to write Wespeaks. Dennis Kucinich has inspired both hope and action, as he dreams a radical politics under the principles of social justice and democracy.
After the State of the Union, I sank into a state of social depression, overwhelmed by the world as professed by Bush and his republican regime. How rare and awesome that my source of hope lies in a mainstream democratic candidate.
Kucinich will hopefully come to campus before the CT primaries. PLEASE COME LISTEN TO HIS WORDS AND VISIT HIS WEB SITE: WWW.KUCINICH.US. You might be surprised. You might be inspired.
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