Question: Who are you?
Dennis Kucinich: I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio the oldest of seven children, and my parents never owned a home. We were renters. By the time I was 17, we lived in 21 different places, including a couple of cars. That experience of growing up in the inner city, which I’ve outlined in a book that I’ve just released called “The Courage to Survive” is an experience that really had an indelible imprint upon the way I look at the world and upon my soul. Because it . . . it taught me compassion. What people go through to just try to make it day-to-day – the importance of a job, of healthcare, of being able to put food on the table and clothes on kids’ backs, the importance of education – these are all things that are a part of people’s practical aspirations. And having been riveted in that experience growing up in Cleveland, I understand as someone aspiring to be President of the United States how terribly important all these things are for . . . for people. So I’m . . . My worldview is truly shaped by that experience in growing up. Now I know the whole world didn’t live in conditions that were near poverty. I know that. But I also know that those who do don’t have many spokespersons in government.
Recorded on: 10/19/07
Discuss
rabbit killer on January 16, 2008, 3:15 PM
Thank you Mr. Kucinich. I'm glad you're running for president. We need more politicians with ideals and perspective.
rK
rabbit killer on January 16, 2008, 8:15 PM
Thank you Mr. Kucinich. I’m glad you’re running for president. We need more politicians with ideals and perspective.
rK
Larry Wright on March 24, 2008, 10:57 AM
Did you all really agree with this statement or are you just showing your support?
I love Kucinich but every politician has an antidote like this one; One that illustrates their affinity with the common man. Their is no evidence that poverty or hardship breeds compassion, quite the contrary.
I really wish that people could keep their critical eye open even in the shining light of those they celebrate.
Larry Wright on March 24, 2008, 2:57 PM
Did you all really agree with this statement or are you just showing your support?
I love Kucinich but every politician has an antidote like this one; One that illustrates their affinity with the common man. Their is no evidence that poverty or hardship breeds compassion, quite the contrary.
I really wish that people could keep their critical eye open even in the shining light of those they celebrate.
tim hall on April 20, 2009, 3:01 PM
I am a Hoosier and I have supported Dennis every time he ran for office.. Dennis understands that problems are solved by communities. Our country is huge. Huge in the many diversities of people. However, we are 99.9999% alike. But before we can make wise decisions on a national level, we first have to understand each other on a local level. We have lost a lot of knowledge about one another through suburban sprawl. We need to become communities once agian or we will forever be spinning our wheels.
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