Dennis Kucinich at GW

Tonight I went to hear Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), former presidential candidate, speak at the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom. I was trying to take advantage of my opportunities and actually go to something like this, even though I have no interest in joining College Dems. One thing appealing about Kucinich is that he isn't a middle of the road democrat (like Kerry or Dean) who criticizes the Bush administration while preaching an ideology that really isn't all that different. I think his views were very insightful and progressive, just the type of candidate that would be needed to give people a clear alternative to Bush neo-conservatism. I especially liked what he had to say about nonviolence, love, and peace (some of which is outlined on his website) His comments about transformation of conciousness, and the progression from thought, to word, to action, all reminded me of the New Thought teaching I was exposed to while growing up. I identify with this type of discussion much more than the culture and conciousness of fear that the Bush administration seems to propogate. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how easily these ideas can breach the closed minds of religious fundamentalism that pervade and pervert much of the society and polity of the modern United States, but one thing is obvious: true change can only come in this country if an opposition candidate (whichever party he or she may be from) is willing to stand apart and offer Americans a bold, progressive alternative from what the last five years have brought us. BTW, if any random blog-lurkers are looking to start a debate, bring it!