Living on Earth (NPR) Interview with Kucinich today

[AP]

Kucinich says he's better on environment because he has a track record of fighting monopolies, and has a more holistic approach to environment and economy.

For the Kucinich fans, it was a decent interview, about 4 or 5 minutes long.

Might be worth googling the show and listening to the interview if you're a diehard DK fan.

[goodhue]

1. Thanks AP for posting this

www.loe.org
Listen here. Also they have full transcript.

http://www.loe.org/ETS/organizations.php3?action=printContentItem&orgid=33&typeID=17&itemID=181&User_Session=0fee45bbecd020d85808f0537b91d22f

Transcript excerpt . . .

CURWOOD: Let’s take a look at some of the major issues today. The U.S. has come under fire internationally for its agricultural subsidies. How would a Kucinich administration deal with this?

KUCINICH: Well, first of all, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to farmers throughout the Midwest, and we have some fundamental questions that we need to address. And that is with respect to the structure of our agricultural market. Family farmers have been squeezed out. There was a tremendous shake-out in small and mid-level farms in the mid 80s. And there is a great deal of monopolization that has occurred. Both vertical and horizontal monopolies exist in agriculture from seed to shelf. We need to break up the monopolies in agriculture, and we must provide for farmers to be able to get their price and get their products to market. We also, in line with sustainability in agriculture, need to connect farmers with markets within their own community. And we also have to provide farmers with the ability to save their seed, and move away from this kind of terminator seed technology, which tends to be another way of controlling markets.

CURWOOD: What about the question of subsidies, though. Right now the U.S. subsidizes U.S. agricultural exports to the extent in that many parts of the rest of the world – the developing world, that would ordinarily be able to sell their agricultural products – they can’t, because they simply can’t compete with the cut rate prices that we can offer because of those subsidies. What would you do about those subsidies?

KUCINICH: Well, first of all you have to understand that the way the market is right now, that most of the agricultural subsidies – not all, but most of the agricultural subsidies – end up benefiting ‘Big Ag.’ And I want to see the agricultural market change. And farmers have told me, look, we want to get our product to market, we want to get our price. People are looking for parity, they’re not looking for subsidy. And so I’m responding directly to what I’m hearing from farmers. Now with respect to America in the world economy, I think that there are times that it is appropriate for America to provide some assistance and price supports for certain key segments of our economy, including agriculture. And I don’t have an objection to that. What I do object to is when we have a condition where global corporations are essentially controlling not only the markets in this country, but global markets.

[Desertrose]

2. I love it that Dennis sees the total picture

and understands what needs to be done about it...


I wish more would be listening.......



.....sigh......

Peace
DR

[LWolf]

8. The total picture!

Dennis does indeed see the big picture and the all the little pieces. What's amazing is that he does this with each issue, but also sees the whole thing, all the issues, all the nations, and how they connect on the planet.

[JohnKleeb]

9. innerconnected I believe he said once

Sigh are you guys as baffled as me that we're strugglin.

[AP]

10. other politicians see the big picture. They just don't have the principles

that politicians like Kucincih has which lead them to be honest about the big picture.

[sandnsea]

6. Thanks

I don't like listening to stuff on the internet so I'm glad you posted the link. It was a good read and it shows me again why I support Kerry & Kucinich. They're both so similar on so many issues and would do wonderful things for the country.

[LWolf]

12. I think so, too.

I don't really have a 2nd choice; it's Dennis all the way.

But I like Kerry, too.

[MuseRider]

3. Thanks, I missed it

so I appreciate you posting this. His policies on agricultural issues are very good. I have actually convinced some of the old school farmers around here to take a look at him.

[JohnKleeb]

4. He is one of the best on this I have to admit, thank you AP btw

I need good news being I had a rough day at work, am sick, and got the primary blues once more, all will be good in the end though I think.

[AP]

5. This is a good interview. If DK got more coverage like this --

ie, sitting down, answering intelligent questions intelligently, in a calm voice -- he'd be way farther up in the polls.

[goodhue]

13. Common sense Kucinich

He's great calm and angry because either way he makes common sense.

[LWolf]

14. Or, answering stupid questions intelligently.

Like Monday night.

This is the Dennis we've come to know. I think America is ready to know him, as well.

[OhioStateProgressive]

7. great interview

i like it when he is fired up more...but a subdued Dennis is still amazingly articulate

[Zomby Woof]

11. ZombyKick