What are we really talking about with all these hot and heavy posts about Kucinich?

[cali]

I don't think we're talking so much about Dennis but about different approaches to achieving common goals.

[MadHound]

1. I think that Dennis is the embodyment of the conscience of the Democratic party

As their conscience he is reminding folks in the party when they have gone morally astray. A lot of people don't like those kind of reminders and react in the manner that you've seen lately here on the boards.

[cali]

4. I see him as a good guy but not at all as the conscience of the dem party

I don't believe there is such a thing. Only people have a conscience. Institutions can't have one.

And I don't believe that everyone who doesn't appreciate him, is reacting to him in the way you ascribe to them.

[Cleita]

12. +100

[Mike 03]

2. I was surprised to see that he was even being discussed. The only reason I posted

on one post about him is that I don't think the guy is all he is cracked up to be. It is that simple.

He served a VITAL purpose during the past election, but he is not perfect, and he is not suited for some of the things he does, like interrogate certain officials on matters he (obviously) has not clue about.

I don't dislike Dennis Kucinich. He is brilliant and brave, but I just think he knows nothing about certain topics he pontificates about.

And I made detailed comments in another thread, and will repeat them if necessary. But we have more important things to do right now than explore Mr. Kucinich.

Kucichich is like Ron Paul--there is a cult around him, and I have serious questions about whether it is deserved or not.

ON EDIT:

Sheesh, I didn't realize this post was by you, Cali. Okay, let me think about it. When you make a point, it is always worth considering.

[pnwmom]

3. Is it really an "approach" when it has no chance of reaching the goal?

Since 1996, Kucinich has authored or co-authored 97 bills -- out of which only 3 have passed! Wouldn't his constituents be better off with a rep who could get things done?

[cali]

6. Evidently, his constituent services are first rate, so he is getting things

done for them.

[pnwmom]

9. The topic is "achieving common goals" not providing constituent service.

In the case of health care, for example, he has submitted his universal single payer bill -- one with zero chance of passing -- and is siding with the Rethugs against any Democratic alternatives. I don't see him as helping to achieve any common goals in the health care area. If anything, he's a goal-blocker.

[MadHound]

7. Wouldn't that be up to his constituents to decide rather than some anonymous internet poster?

Authoring bills is not the only job that a rep does, and if the people in his district are happy with him then their should be the final say, not yours.

[pnwmom]

10. Of course they vote him in or out but this anonymous poster is allowed an opinion. n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

5. No, some of them really DO despise Dennis.

They bash him at every opportunity, not just this one. Usually they're the ones who are obviously on the DLC or Message Discipline LLC payroll.

Then there are others mistakenly blaming him for the failure of health care reform, when it was actually the false "Democrats" like Baucus/Nelson/Lincoln/Lieberdouche/Stupak/Conrad/etc. who were responsible for that.

[pnwmom]

13. On health care, he's more of a "false Democrat" than Nelson.

Nelson has signed the public option letter. Kucinich is on the side of the Rethugs who oppose any of the Democratic proposals -- except his own.

[Cleita]

14. +100

[SargeUNN]

8. Stop the crap please

Dennis is a good guy, but on this issue I totally disagree with him. He is one that loves America, and cares about people, that wants to stand by what he believes. Nothing wrong there but in this case I feel he is helping to insure nothing changes. Folks, Dennis is admirable and has his points, but he can be wrong. Let's not brand him a bad guy or a hero, he is human and he can be wrong or right. Let's stop the name calling and side taking, but let's make something good happen. This is a bill that really lacks, but it does change somethings and is a way to start taking off the edge of the insurance companies, to leave things as is insures more abuse and embolden these insurance ripoffs.

[pnwmom]

16. +1

[elocs]

11. Right, because what we really need is an OP about all of the Kucinich posts.

The latest DU obsession. When will we be back to Sarah Palin?

[Mike 03]

15. Maybe Cali's point is one worth taking.

We have so many vstly more important issues to deal with now, that even though some of us do not see Kucinich as a saint, we should drop it and use our efforts elsewhere.

[frazzled]

17. I think it's about the possibility

That a single vote in the Senate could scuttle the entire health care bill (for a generation). Remember, it only passed by 2 votes last time.

If there were a wide margin and we didn't need Dennis Kucinich's vote, no one would care. He'd be free to lodge whatever protest he wanted. When it's critical, however, the situation changes. If the health care bill fails next week, and it fails by one vote, you're going to see a lot more posting.

That said, I firmly believe it will pass. It's going to be by a whisker, however.

[alarimer]

18. People are upset because most Democrats lack any integrity.

Virtually none will stand up for what is right regardless of the cost. Kucinich is one of the few exceptions. That upsets other Democrats who don't like to have it pointed out how wrong it is to tie your positions to corporate donations (which all but a few Democrats do). People are so invested in the party that they cannot see how corrupt and rotten the Democratic Party really is. I have given up on the party actually doing anything right ever again. For me it is about principle and not about party. I will work for whatever candidates are doing the right thing, whether they are Democrats or independents (it goes without saying the Republicans, by definition, are not interested in ever doing the right thing) or third party.

The only way to change things is to stop rewarding the Democrat Party for destroying this country. And they are destroying it, but only listening to their corporate masters and not to the people.

[HuckleB]

19. What's for dinner, and who's bringing the pinot noir?

[MineralMan]

20. Kucinich is one congressman. That is all. He is elected by his

constituents. That is all that is important. He has one vote in a House of 435 members. That is his only power. The brouhaha here about him is ridiculous. He will remain a Congressman. He will have one vote. That is all.

He has a position. Some listen to it. Some do not. But, in the end, all he has is one vote.

Kucinich tried to run for President. He failed spectacularly in that attempt. He will not try again, if he has any sense.

He is one, single house member. That is all. He has exactly the same number of votes there as any of the 435. He is not God.

Here's the deal: Each of us who lives in the USA had one Congressmember and a district for that person. That is where each of us needs to be focusing. There is an election in November. That's the place we need to focus our attention. If you're not in Kucinich's district, what are you doing in your district? That is the only question.