Yes, I’m wearing my political colors. Sometime I have to write an article about how democratic discussion has become a social faux pas.But right now, I want to urge you to watch the Nevada debate on MSNBC Jan 15, at 6pm Pacific. MSNBC tried to exclude Dennis from the debate at the last minute, but judge ruled the debate must include him.
I haven’t seen an issue yet where Dennis hasn’t cut to the heart of the problem and provided a practical plan.
Take Iraq. He has a detailed plan for beginning immediate withdrawal of troops. What makes it particularly practical (unlike the plans of so many other candidates) is that he would work with the UN to replace US troops with peacekeepers. Peacekeepers have worked and continue to work in so many places around the world (check the UN web site). Dennis also would include Iraq’s neighbors, Iran, Syria, Jordan, etc. in peace talks to help stabilize the region. And just as with the troops, Dennis would replace US contractors (like Haliburton) with Iraqi and other local interests.
Consider health care. As I mentioned in some of my other posts, one can visit the WHO website and very quickly discover enough statistics to convince any hard-core economist that the US health system is wasting money. The Canadian government spends $3000 per capital on a health care system that provides care for 100% of Canadians — and Canada (and 14 other developed nations with national health care) have higher health and quality of life indicators than the US.
Now the US Government also spends $3000 per capita on health care (that’s right — tax dollars) but in addition we, the people, spend another $3000 per capita out of our own pockets! $6000 per capita for a second class health system that doesn’t even serve 90% of our citizens. Where does that extra $3000 go I wonder?
Profit. That’s right, I’m dissing the mythic efficiency of for-profit health insurance. You can see it in the stats — the for-profit system is lousy at delivering cost-effective health care to Americans.
All the other candidates want to retain the for-profit health insurance system. In many cases, they want to start paying more tax dollars — directly to the health insurance industry.
Dennis says lets do not-for-profit health insurance like all the developed countries that provide better health care than we do.
Finally, Dennis’s plan for the economy is comprehensive. John McCain talks about bringing manufacturing back to Michigan with tax breaks — but what about all that cheap labor that manufacturers get overseas — without import tarrifs — under NAFTA and the WTO? Dennis would get us out of these crazy contracts that let companies export jobs and make treaties that encourage growth at home and trade abroad that respects the environment and workers rights.
If you’re registered to vote go to the Democratic Caucus and support Dennis! (In Washington that’s Feb 9! Find your caucus location here: http://wa-demchairs.org/2008/caucuslocations.php )
If you’re skeptical, try this issue matcher website and see how your beliefs align with all the candidates. http://www.speakout.com/VoteMatch/senate2006.asp?quiz=2008
