"I Take Issue With Your Description..."

We cannot forget who we are. We are a nation of, a nation welcoming and built by immigrants. And though this Administration wants to divert attention from its current mistakes, we cannot forget who we are in the process. To Dennis Kucinich, America means "give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses...". To Dennis Kucinich, in an open and free democratic nation there must be a path to citizenship. To Dennis Kucinich, there is no such thing as an illegal human being.

Speaking at the Latino Congresso last month, Kucinich said:

I want to let you to know something; how I feel about what’s happened to our country...

in this toxic environment, the Administration, in its never-ending quest for more scapegoats, focuses on immigrants. You know it and I know it. And we see, unfortunately, the failure of the Democratic Party to stand up to this Administration...

Isn’t it interesting how famous Ronald Reagan became for saying, “Mr. Gorbachev, take down that wall.” Oh, how far we’ve come from those days. When President Reagan said, “Take down that wall,” and President Bush now says, “Build up a wall,” where are we going as a nation?

I believe the way the immigrant community is treated, whether documented or not, reflects the direction and future of America. We must believe that our brothers and sisters, Latinos and all of the other ethnic groups, are essential to who we are as Americans.

Kucinich has voted against and vocally criticized the debate on the border fence, though he does support securing our ports and borders. However, to really address the immigration issue, we reform our trade agreements that have caused the mass immigration from Mexico. NAFTA and the WTO not only destroyed high paying manufacturing jobs at home, but seriously depressed the economy in Mexico and forcing millions to cross the border in search for work. The immigration issue is becoming more and more the scapegoat for our disastrous trade agreements and wars. Only by renegotiating fair trade agreements and improving the Mexican economy can we hope to begin to solve our immigration issues.

Kucinich wants to offer immigrants a clear road map to legal status in the United States and grant legal permanent residence to immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for five or more years. He would also offer conditional legal status and work authorization to all law-abiding immigrants living in the United States for less than five years and revoke current laws that bar certain people who live abroad from re-entering the U.S. for a period of three to 10 years. Kucinich wants to stand for all Americans and all people:

It is time that we had a President who understood that human unity is what makes for peace. And that when we impose the wrath of the law that is unjust, what we’re doing is we’re stopping peace from happening. So, I’m running for President to make sure that all the people in America know that they have someone who they can count on, and know that they will have a President who will stand up for them. And I will tell you today that the Latino community, in particular, has a right to expect that all the candidates will stand in front of you and say, “Yes. We must have a path to legalization. Yes. There must be a way for people to work in this country, if they want to live in Mexico. Yes. We must take down that wall!”

Here's Kucinich at the recent debate in Nevada addressing the immigration issue, along with the label of "Illegal Immigrant"

The Most Relevant 1:47 During the Whole Debate W/ Poll

Something's happened to Dennis Kucinich. There's a newfound confidence; a deeply resigned, yet boldly assertive tone gathering in his voice. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's his recent progress in major polls and grassroots support. Maybe it's the fighter coming out, now that impeachment has gained some life. Maybe it's the realization that a majority of Americans side with him on the issues and that he is the one pushing this party back to the people. Or maybe it's that he's been the candidate who has best exercised the leadership and judgement on huge issues, such as Iraq, the Patriot Act, Iran, Trade, and Impeachment.

I'm not really sure, but Kucinich has been digging in and swinging long lately. And, yeah, he's driving them home. Listen to the applause!

When Wolf asked Kucinich about his being the only candidate to vote against the liberty robbing PATRIOT Act, Dennis took a hard cut:

That's because I read it.

After a round of huge applause, Blitzer asked Kucinich if he felt that those who voted for the PATRIOT Act held a responsibility to people who have been treated unfairly and racially profiled, to which Kucinich responded that

...the president of the United States is called upon to make the right decision at the right time. And you've seen here tonight, people who have voted for the war, voted to fund the war, and now they have a different position. People who voted for the Patriot Act, now they have a different position. People who voted for China Trade, now they have a different position. People who voted for Yucca Mountain, now they have a different position.

Just imagine what it will be like to have a President of the United States who's right the first time. Just imagine.

Another healthy round of applause, but, Kucinich wasn't done.

Addressing an earlier question regarding the Bush Administration's abuses of power and what is to be done, Kucinich laid into it even as Blitzer tried to cut him off:

...they're out of control and the Congress isn't doing anything. Its' called Impeachment. And you don't wait. You do it now. You don't wait. Now...

No more applause: Out and out hooting and hollaring, standing and cheering, excited, involved...

Please watch.

Kucnich At the Debate

Here's all of the Dennis Kucinich responses from this weeks Democratic debate in Nevada.