[Peace-discuss] Fwd:Incredible News

[C. G. Estabrook]

Comparison of Kucinich and Dean by Scott Bateman. 

Resources: Candidates websites and Google searches

1. Health-Care Plan

Kucinich: Canadian-style single-payer system, extending the successes of
Medicare, financed by a tax on employers lower than the current cost of
private insurance. [Also financed in part by a peace dividend from a
reduced military budget and waste.]

Dean: Complex 4-prong plan, extending multiple state and federal programs
piecemeal, combined with tax credits and incentives, all of which Dean
claims is more likely to become law, but still won't cover everyone

2. Death Penalty

Kucinich: Opposes.

Dean: Favors for "extreme" crimes like terrorism or the killing of a
police officer, although critical of Bush administration's "careless"
approach to executions.

3. Roe v. Wade

Kucinich: Pro-life until recently; now the only candidate pledging to make
Roe v. Wade a "litmus test" for appointing federal judges.

Dean: Pro-choice, but refuses to make Roe v. Wade a litmus test for
federal judges.

4. Kyoto Treaty

Kucinich: Supports.

Dean: Says we must "take another look," but has "concerns" about some
provisions.

5. Patriot Act

Kucinich: Only presidential candidate who personally voted against it.

Dean: Would repeal "parts," but also wants to expand intelligence
agencies; praises Russ Feingold as only Senator who opposed the act,
ignoring Kucinich's vocal House opposition, implying no other candidate
opposed the Patriot Act.

6. NAFTA/WTO

Kucinich: Full withdrawal, to replace with fair trade; opposes "fast
track" treatment of any future trade legislation; personally marched in
Seattle protests.

Dean: Notes problems with "free" trade, suggesting the need for inclusion
of human rights, environmental, and labor standards in trade agreements --
but still pro-NAFTA.

7. "Star Wars" Ballistic Missile System

Kucinich: Would abolish; has sponsored legislation banning weapons from
space.

Dean: Would cut only 1/8 of the funding, transferring it to international
threat-reduction programs.

8. Pentagon Waste

Kucinich: Would cut Pentagon programs which don't even work, like the
V-22, F- 22, and "Star Wars," and demand accountability for over a $1
trillion in "lost" funds.

Dean: Disagrees with any proposed Pentagon cutbacks, and advocates
aggressive expansion of intelligence, police, and special forces.

9. Balanced Budget

Kucinich: A long-term goal, but deficits may be necessary in the short run
for economic and social investment.

Dean: A main priority -- even equating it with social progress: "we cannot
have social justice without a sound fiscal foundation" -- describing
himself as "to the right of Bush" on the issue.

10. Gun Control

Kucinich: Supports federal gun control legislation, and sponsored a bill
calling for child safety devices on all new handguns.

Dean: Supports closing the gun show loophole, but opposes other new
federal regulation; considers guns a states' rights issue; an "A" rating
from NRA most of his career.

11. Medical Marijuana

Kucinich: Supports compassionate use.

Dean: Firmly opposed, although promises to abide by a proposed FDA
evaluation.

12. War on Drugs

Kucinich: Proposes European-style treatment of addiction as a medical, not
criminal problem, with attendant reductions in crime and violence.

Dean: Has accepted National Governors Association position: more federal
funding for all aspects of the drug war; however, also speaks of drug use
as a medical problem, and has called the War on Drugs a failure; website
and recent speeches simply do not clarify what policies he would pursue,
as far as I can tell.

13. Gay Rights

Kucinich: Believes gay and straight couples should be 100% equal before
the law, including Social Security and domestic-partner benefits; supports
federal civil union legislation.

Dean: Signed a civil union (not gay marriage) bill, but opposes similar
national laws as a states' rights issue.

14. Energy

Kucinich: Supports investment in solar, wind, ocean, and other clean
energy; risked career to prevent a power monopoly in Cleveland, saving
taxpayers over $200 million.

Dean: Supports investment in alternative energy and energy efficiency;
however, has sided with Vermont state utilities on most issues [including
Vermont Yankee nuclear power].

15. Political Experience

Kucinch: Has held local, state, and federal office for a total of 17
years. Four-term member of Congress, since 1997. Currently chair of the
Progressive Caucus, largest Democratic caucus in Congress.

Dean: Vermont state legislator, 1982-86; Lt. Governor, 1986-91; Governor,
1991- 2002. Former chair, National Governors Association.

16. Iraq War

Kucinich: Opposed staunchly from the beginning, has never wavered.

Dean: Firmly opposed, before, although he told the L.A. Times in January
that he would support unilateral action if Iraq had WMDs; softened his
rhetoric again in March, once the war began, explaining in conservative
South Carolina, "it's hard to criticize the President when you've got
troops in the field... we all have got to support the troops;" now again
firmly opposed, and highly vocal.

17. Personal

Kucinich: Lifelong member of the working class. Grew up so poor that his
family lived in a car more than once. Currently a vegan.

Dean: Patrician upbringing. Though speaks harshly about negative
environmental impact of SUVs. Drives an SUV (a Chevy Suburban).

18. Ambition

Kucinich: Began campaign late, in part because he was busy organizing
anti-war voices in Congress.

Dean: Vermont newspapers had to sue to get Dean's 2002 schedule as
Governor; Dean spent almost all of the year out of the state, and didn't
want his constituents to know.

For the posting of this comparison on Kucinich and Dean on the Issues,
see: <www.bobharris.com/kucinichdean.html>

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