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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Nathan White
(202)225-5871

Kucinich Speaks Against War Appropriations Bill

The Firing Line and the Unemployment Line

WASHINGTON

Following
a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman
Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today released the following statement:

"The
word is that with over 15 million Americans out of work and desperately
in need of extended unemployment benefits, Congress will put
unemployment compensation benefits into a bill which will give another
$130 billion for war.
"Remember,
our Democratic Party took control of the Congress based on widespread
opposition to the Iraq war. Unfortunately, we are now telling the
American people that the only way they will get unemployment
compensation is to support another $130 billion to keep wars going.
"What
a cruel choice Congress is forcing on people out of work. Put your sons
and daughters on the firing line and we will pay you for being in the
unemployment line.
"What
a message to young Americans. No jobs for young people, except to go to
war. No chance for young people to go to college and have health care
unless they learn to kill or be killed. Support this war, we tell the
people; the war which creates death, war which creates poverty, war
which creates unemployment and we will pay you for being unemployed.
"Is this really the best we can do?"

Dennis Kucinich is an American politician. A U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1997 to 2013, he was also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2004 and 2008.