Here in Michigan, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my vote in tomorrow’s primary. One option was to try to muddy the Republican waters by pushing up Mitt Romney, as suggested in the Daily Kos. I was also thinking of voting for Kucinich, which now sounds all the more appealing, after getting an email from my friend Jeannine Palms:
Hi Friends,
I have heard lots of talk about voting uncommitted or Republican. For me this is an excellent opportunity to vote for the one who I think represents real values of peace and justice. Uncommitted votes could go anywhere in the end and I could not support any Repubican even as a protest. If Kucinich gets enough votes, it will make a difference. I urge a vote in the primary for Kucinich.
Here are other reasons:
*He is the only candidate who has refused corporate donations. He has no strings attached . He is a true people’s candidate and yet so many are being swayed by the elect ability factor.
*Early in the game when in true democracy we should be getting a fair view of each of the possible candidates, we are already being swayed by money interests and exclusion tactics meant to silence the voice of integrity.
*Kucinich is the only democratic candidate whose record shows he has had the courage to go against the statis quo. His record in congress and his innovative proposals demonstrate. He has:
-Voted consistently against the war and proposes a cabinet level Department of peace.
-Voted against the patriot Act and introduced Articles of Impeachment against Dick Chaney for constitution violations.
-Recognizes the humanity of immigrants and addresses the “immigrant problem” as an outgrowth of bad trade agreements such as NAFTA.
-Introduced bills(with Rep. John Conyers) for Universal Not for Profit Health Care, reducing costs and simplifying coverage by getting rid of the middle man: the insurance companies.
-Proposed a Green Works Administration and building trade agreements based on environmental protection and fair employment practices.
*This candidate deserves our support! Even if our votes aren’t counted by the DNC, let’s show them that if they expect our votes in November they better make a commitment to incorporate Kucinich’s ideas.
* Register your protest of the status quo.
Thanks,
Jeannine
For the record, I voted uncommitted. For me, I felt this was the clearest way to send a statement — “hey, I’m motivated enough to go out and vote, and hey, you screwed up the primary and made my vote meaningless, so I’m not going to hand my vote to anyone and let you spin that into the appearance of support.”
But yeah, Kucinich would probably have sent the same message.