What does the average American think about when they hear the word progressive? We all probably think in our own reality that we are progressive people who want to evolve to make our own lives better. As the leading democracy in the free world, we have failed to make progress to a more humane democracy, but have become a callous corporate-owned government. The average American's voice is smothered by dollar signs. We need a change. Government should not be run by heartless billionaires, but by people who have actually struggled and dealt with real world situations. We ought to conduct ourselves on the world scene with compassion and trust, but both of those standards have been destroyed over the last couple of decades. As the leader of the free world, we need to set an example on the world stage.

We need to be better citizens of our country and of the world for peace to exist. Dennis Kucinich is the answer. He is the only candidate running for the Democratic ticket who possesses integrity. His ideals are those of peace and unity where the American family does not fear for health care, jobs, or education. So many things could be possible if we, the public, were only enlightened upon the subject matter. What does Kucinich bring to the platform? Where does he stand? Here are ten key points Dennis Kucinich is running his campaign on:

1) Universal Health Care--Over 40 million Americans have no health care at all and 30 million have minimal coverage. Kucinich would have national health care that would be publicly funded yet privately delivered. We need a change in our health care system; too many people are being denied their rights in receiving basic medical attention.

2) Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65--No one should have to worry about their future. We need to prioritize what is important to the people living here and, through a progressive tax structure, this is a feasible goal.

3) Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO--These two trading organizations are ruining the economies of developing countries and benefiting the U.S. We are using them for profit instead of helping. Jobs are being lost overseas; we are ruining family farms and destroying the global environment. Kucinich wishes to get rid of these jaded “free trade” policies and replace them with fair trade.

4) Repeal the PATRIOT ACT--This Act is outright unconstitutional. The President used American vulnerability to pass this Act, and the name makes it pretty evident. This is a clear violation of our most precious right: the right to privacy.

5) Right to choose, Privacy and Civil Rights--Kucinich wants to insure the woman's right to choose. He wants to protect gay and lesbian rights and continue to push Affirmative Action. He also believes in treatment over criminalization when it comes to drug abuse.

6) Balance between Workers and Corporations--Dennis wants to defend the rights of workers and allow them to organize and collectively bargain. If corporations keep going over seas to find workers, what will happen to our economy? We need to stop this vicious cycle and allow the American work force to continue to work.

7) Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K through College--This is the only way to reduce poverty. Knowledge is power. We have to look at our education system and demand an improvement because quality education is crucial to our evolution as a leading nation. Why should education be dependent on a family's financial status? Is this democratic? Kucinich wants to make education from pre-K through college available for every family and, as citizens, we should demand it.

8) A Renewed Commitment to Peace and Diplomacy--Dennis wants the US to work with other nations and the UN. Recently the US has been ignoring the UN. How does this make the US look on the international political scene? Why should other countries comply with the UN if we don't? Kucinich wants to ban space-based weapons and wants the organizing principle to be non-violence when it comes to domestic and international affairs.

9) Restore Rural Communities and Family Farms--Dennis wants to break up agriculture monopolies and come back to the strong family farm system. Small communities and family farms have been rapidly vanishing in our society and will be a great cultural loss.

10) Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy--Think about the future. We have to take action now or else it will be too late. Dennis wants to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and invest in finding other alternatives such as solar, wind, and hydrogen. This will demand a new work force and create jobs.

This is blue-collared Dennis Kucinich in a nut-shell. He wants to better the lives of all Americans especially those who need to catch a break. We will all benefit by investing in our society. If we invest in our people we will see many of our problems disappear. We need to quit looking at our problems and start doing something about them. Why would you vote for someone who doesn't even know what it means to work? Dennis has been there. He has worked his way from the bottom to the top without losing his integrity. Dennis Kucinich wants change and he knows how to do it. He has the ability and the will if only the American public could hear his voice. These ten key points are real issues that affect real Americans, not just the wealthy. Visit www.kucinich.us to find out more about Dennis and what he can do for you.