Kucinich on the $328 Billion Omnibus Appropriations Bill

[snoochie]

"This bill is nothing more than a fiscally irresponsible boondoggle that in almost every area of concern for families is grossly inadequate.

"For our nation's children and schools, the funding shortfalls in the Omnibus are legion. At a time when we are demanding more of our public schools, and as State and local education budgets continue to be cut, funding for No Child Left Behind is frozen. At a time when the average Pell Grant is worth about $50 less in real terms than it was in 1975, the size of the maximum grant is frozen.

"The Omnibus also freezes funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, the main source of federal funding for after school programs. Over 1 million children will not have after school opportunities under this bill. This bill even falls $1 billion short of the level promised in the Republican Budget Resolution and authorization bill passed earlier this year for IDEA, which educates disabled children. Again, this funding shortfall is passed directly on to local school districts.

"For as many as 8 million workers, this bill also represents the end of overtime pay -- but not the end overtime hours. Although this body voted to strip the administration's plan to eliminate overtime coverage for millions of Americans, the Omnibus continues forward with a regulatory agenda determined to make Americans - from paralegals to paramedics -- work longer hours for less pay.

"Finally, last July this Congress took a giant step forward in overwhelmingly voting to eliminate funding for Section 213 of the PATRIOT Act, a provision that allows for so-called "sneak and peak" searches, or searches of property without the advanced notification of the person being searched. This action spoke to the anxiety of millions of Americans who believe the PATRIOT Act must be repealed or revised to restore fundamental civil liberties in this nation. Again, the result of this bi-partisan vote is starkly absent from the Omnibus.

"Not only does the Omnibus cut education - it defies the will of the House on overtime pay and civil liberties. Our children and our families suffer and the integrity of the US Constitution remains at risk with the passage of this bill."

link to this and other Kucinich statements - good stuff!

http://www.imwithdennis.com

[sablefish]

1. I like this guy

He has a snowballs chance in Hell .. but I really like his attitude and opinions... He actually sounds like he gives a damn about Americans.

[snoochie]

2. Surprising from a politician, isn't it?

:hi:

Welcome to DU!

[cryofan]

6. his chances are GREAT is YOU vote for him...and I vote for him and ...

...we all vote for him. Democrats LIKE Kucinich's stances. SO why not VOTE for him?

[LWolf]

8. I like him, too.

I'll cast my vote for the candidate who actually gives a damn about Americans. A chance in a lifetime; I won't pass it up.

:hi:

Welcome to DU!

[Think Globally]

11. Dennis can win!

You'd never know it from the media, but Dennis is showing 3rd in the polls and rising. It IS possible to have a winning candidate who stays true to his principles, if WE do the same and vote from the heart!

[OhioStateProgressive]

12. yes, yes:)

he is actually rising in a few scientific polls...but not the ones commonly shown on the TeeVee

[goodhue]

17. Dennis rising

moving on up

[LWolf]

18. On the rise.

A good place to be at this point!

:kick:

[dweller]

3. amazing, while anyone else is partying and celebrating

a victory before a single vote is cast, this one man is still working for the betterment of the people.
I like that attitude. I think i can do the same.
Good find Snoochie!

peace,
dp

[Virgil]

4. Isn't there going to be outrage at losing OT

The House got an earful from the public on the unfairness of the Family Flexibility Leave Act and here they put it in this appropriations bill. If this goes through I would think it suicide to Bu$h's chance at re-election. Which I am surprised that he could get 10% of the vote. When he did not win the last election and we have spread his failures for 4 years over the Internet, you might think he actually sees he cannot win and is just going for full rape of the common man.

You do not mess with people's paychecks. Someone has a lesson coming.

[dweller]

5. lesson coming...

reminds me of a slow train...

Sometimes I feel so low-down and disgusted
Can't help but wonder what's happenin' to my companions,
Are they lost or are they found, have they counted the cost it'll take to bring
down
All their earthly principles they're gonna have to abandon?
There's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.
.....

All that foreign oil controlling American soil,
Look around you, it's just bound to make you embarrassed.
Sheiks walkin' around like kings, wearing fancy jewels and nose rings,
Deciding America's future from Amsterdam and to Paris
And there's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.

Man's ego is inflated, his laws are outdated, they don't apply no more,
You can't rely no more to be standin' around waitin'
In the home of the brave, Jefferson turnin' over in his grave,
Fools glorifying themselves, trying to manipulate Satan
And there's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.

Big-time negotiators, false healers and woman haters,
Masters of the bluff and masters of the proposition
But the enemy I see wears a cloak of decency,
All non-believers and men stealers talkin' in the name of religion
And there's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.

People starving and thirsting, grain elevators are bursting
Oh, you know it costs more to store the food than it do to give it.
They say lose your inhibitions, follow your own ambitions,
They talk about a life of brotherly love, show me someone who knows how to
live it.

There's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.....

BOB DYLAN, SLOW TRAIN

an outrage would be a tea party come 2004,
dp

[OhioStateProgressive]

7. Dennis, fighting the wasting of our tax dollars

imagine how better off you'd be if this bill wasn't in circulation?

vote Kucinich, or vote for the wrong person

[redqueen]

9. Ya gotta love the KOOCH!

He is so right on the issues. Every candidate should be outraged at this bill!

Nice graphic, btw - LOVE IT!

[diamondsoul]

15. The graphic-

has been circulated by David Swanson and Dot Maver as the new campaign slogan. It's the one going on all the billboards we get.

[LWolf]

16. I helped buy a billboard.

Great man, great message, and it's time.

[goodhue]

10. Dennis rocks

"Not only does the Omnibus cut education - it defies the will of the House on overtime pay and civil liberties. Our children and our families suffer and the integrity of the US Constitution remains at risk with the passage of this bill."

[goodhue]

13. kick n/t

[goodhue]

14. kick n/t