Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Election Issues Cynthia McKinney: Green candidate for president

These are critical times that call for clear political vision and bold action. The 2008 U.S. elections are going to determine the course of U.S. imperialism and the course of its neo-liberal agenda in the U.S. itself and across the globe for the next generation.
None of the mainstream political parties are addressing the critical problems specific to this election or the systemic problems of national oppression, patriarchy, neo-liberalism, and imperialism underlining them that plague us, such as: the neo-liberal reconstruction and Black ethnic cleansing of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast; the mortgage crisis and the deflation of the finance driven economy; the wars of imperialist aggression in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti and the irrational threats of invasion against Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela; and the rapidly escalating crisis of global warming and ecocide.

The duopoly (aka the two party system) of imperialism cannot address these crises without aggravating them further with their neo-liberal agendas and interests.

Even the "fringe" candidates in the two parties are nothing more than useful idiots who help facilitate the illusion of democracy by creating an appearance that all views are given an equal chance in the two party system.

If people are truly tired of trying to justify voting against "who they don't want" instead of for "who they actually want", they need to begin to actualize their dissent through action by using the current political structure to actually oppose the two party system with their votes.

If only everyone would take this pledge and mean it:

"I will vote based on results and results only. Not party loyalty, not perceived "electability", not lesser-of-two-evils, not charisma or anything else. Just results. Come 2008, if American troops are still in harms way overseas, or if Cheney & Duhbbya have not been impeached, no Democrat -- at any level -- will get my vote. Do your job or you will be fired."

[url=http://www.runcynthiarun.org/][/url]

Cynthia McKinney, who is best known as the ousted representative from the Atlanta area that scuffled with a Capitol Hill police officer, has announced she will run for the Presidency as a Green Party candidate. She now says the Democrats, her old party, is corrupt and beholden to corporate interest. “The Democrats do not speak for us,” she said. “The Democrats are no different than their Republican counterparts.” She calls the Green Party her, “new political home.” “The Republicans have deceived us and the Democrats have failed us,” according to McKinney. A group in California called Run! Cynthia! Run! have drafted her to run, and she agreed to go. She has already made appearances across the country as a Green candidate. McKinney served six terms in Congress representing Atlanta, and was the first black woman elected to Congress from Georgia. In Congress she accused President George Bush of knowing ahead of time about 9/11. She also introduced a bill to impeach President Bush, saying he misled Congress into approving the war in Iraq and violated the law by secretly spying on American citizens.

Don'y listen to the rhetoric!
Look at the record.

Cynthia McKinney on Civil Rights

Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
Supports reparations for slavery. (Aug 2001)
Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice. (Jan 2001)
Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
Supported legislation on violence against women & safety. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding for women's and disadvantaged businesses. (Jul 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Corporations

Voted NO on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Crime

Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
Voted YES on maintaining right of habeus corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. (Mar 1996)
Voted NO on making federal death penalty appeals harder. (Feb 1995)
Voted YES on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment. (Apr 1994)
Rated 80% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
Moratorium on death penalty; more DNA testing. (Mar 2001)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Drugs

Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
Voted NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Education

Voted YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
Supported funding for teacher training & other initiatives. (Jul 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Energy & Oil

Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
Regulate wholesale electricity & gas prices. (Mar 2001)
Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it. (Feb 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Environment

Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)


Cynthia McKinney on Families & Children

Voted YES on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
Supported funding child care, child health, & child housing. (Jul 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Foreign Policy

Voted NO on deterring foreign arms transfers to China. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
Supported sending Colin Powell to Durban racism conference. (Aug 2001)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Free Trade

Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
No MFN for China; condition trade on human rights. (Nov 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Government Reform

Voted NO on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
Election reform is #1 priority to prevent disenfranchisement. (Jan 2001)
Allow same-day voter registration on election day. (Jan 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Gun Control

Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Health Care

Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on subsidize privat insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare. (Jan 2001)
Make health care a right, not a privilege. (Nov 1999)
Supported funding women's health needs. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding older women's health. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding Prenatal and Postpartum Care. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding Family and Children's Coverage. (Jul 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Homeland Security

Voted NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
Voted NO on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
End the use of anti-personnel mines. (Mar 2001)
Recognize women veterans; assist military families. (Jul 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Immigration

Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. (May 2001)
Voted NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)

Cynthia McKinney on Jobs

Voted YES on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Principles & Values

Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
Member of Congressional Black Caucus. (Jan 2001)
Reject Bush's Florida electors due to election fraud. (Jan 2001)
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. (Oct 2001)
Member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. (Jul 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Social Security

Voted YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
Supported pension reform and tax credits for long-term care. (Jul 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Tax Reform

Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
American People's Dividend: Give $300 to every person. (Feb 2001)
Tax incentives for child care; eliminate marriage penalty. (Jul 1999)
Tax incentives for education, new schools, & families. (Jul 1999)


Cynthia McKinney on Technology

Voted YES on establishing "network neutrality" (non-tiered Internet). (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting. (Feb 2005)
Close digital divide with high-tech training. (Jan 2001)
Criminal penalties for e-mail spamming. (Feb 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on War & Peace

Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)


Cynthia McKinney on Welfare & Poverty

Voted YES on providing $70 million for Section 8 Housing vouchers. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
Reduce the concentration of wealth & wage inequality. (Nov 1999)

Very impressive, Roger. Thank you for posting all this about her.
I was unaware of some of her stands on some issues.

Whatever folks may think of her 'feistyness', she votes her conscience doesn't she?

Olyve

From this Thread

“None of the mainstream political parties are addressing the critical problems specific to this election or the systemic problems of national oppression, patriarchy, neo-liberalism, and imperialism underlining them that plague us, such as: the neo-liberal reconstruction and Black ethnic cleansing of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast; the mortgage crisis and the deflation of the finance driven economy; the wars of imperialist aggression in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti and the irrational threats of invasion against Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela; and the rapidly escalating crisis of global warming and ecocide. The duopoly (aka the two party system) of imperialism cannot address these crises without aggravating them further with their neo-liberal agendas and interests. “

Uhh, yeah – I was just debating the deflation of the finance driven economy, black ethnic cleaning in New Orleans, our plans to invade Cuba, ecocide, and the duopoly of imperialism – and I was wondering to myself – where do I go for answers to these pressing issues! Then I stumbled across this article – why of course – I must turn to a Jew baiting racist whose criminal father planted her behind in a congressional seat (while she was living In Jamaica). After a few assaults, supporting Tupac Shakur legislation and a continual procession of corruption and bigotry – She now is the candidate ready to dispel Neo-liberal agendas and that old Duopoly thing! Praise the Lord!

Would you perhaps be referring to Ms. McKinney? Could you provide evidence that she is "a Jew baiting racist"?

some interesting reading here

http://www.atljewishtimes.com/archives/1999/110599cs.htm

http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1508

http://www.blackpressusa.com/Op-Ed/Speaker.asp?NewsID=2525

http://www.rense.com/general27/thre.htm

From your first source, Frazier:
Interesting indeed.

From your second source:
I'm always curious to know what are the expert credentials of the person being quoted - given that there is at least one person out of the 300,000,000 in America who will say anything about anything - and my red flag always goes up when I see a person's credentials listed as "emeritus".

As it turns out, Peter Swartz is "a senior analyst at the Center for Strategic Studies (CSS) of the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA -- a civilian Federally-Funded Research & Development Center conducting studies and analyses for the US Navy and other organizations). He has been an analyst and manager at CNA since 1993 . . ." How did he become a "professor emiritus"? Frontpage Mag made him one, in this 2003 article, from which the quote attribution also arises.

Anyhow, it appears there is one Jew who was not interviewed for the Atlanta Jewish Times article who is willing to go on record calling her an "anti-semite". 'Twill be illuminating to know who else has been, and whether her accusers extend beyond the front page of FrontPageMag.

The Rense article quotes someone who actually has qualification as an "expert" or "spokesperson"