The debate opened with experienced moderator Bruce Nesmith thanking the assembled masses, promising that the debate would be brief, and advising the room to consider the benefit of healthy eating habits, suggesting lunch as the perfect end to a spirited debate, adding “If you’ve already eaten, eat again, it’s good for you.”
Moderator Bruce Nesmith
Candidate Ron Paul opened with abundant thanks and launched into his campaign’s central issue, assuring the room that the “Most important thing to consider in this election (is the question) where is the power?” Paul offered a brief description of the office of presidency, suggesting a president’s job is to uphold and defend the constitution.
Stressing the importance of state’s rights Paul argued, the “best way to have influence is to have power closest to you.”
Dennis Kucinich followed with a summation of the general shift, in current years, among politicians from “good politics.” Addressing a key issue of division Kucinich stressed that the answer to solving problems is not in scrapping the federal government as, in his opinion, it is capable of being fixed. Kucinich ended his opening statement by describing his idea of America with a government intent on helping and protecting people.
The first question asked by the moderator was concerning Iraq and the ramifications of a withdrawing of forces, a stance supported by both candidates. Kucinich responded by stating that withdrawal from Iraq would be “easier than I think people assume.” Paul stressed the need to avoid compounding the issue, asserting that American government should be concerned with Americans first.
Congressman Ron Paul
The next question related to energy policy. Paul addressed the need to shake loose the bondage of foreign oil, adding that we need to stop depending on other countries when we are capable of sustaining our own energy needs. Kucinich suggested the issue required liberation from the bondage of oil altogether, adding that alternative energy sources need be investigated and tax cuts for oil companies need to be eliminated.
The controversial issue of health care was next on the moderator’s agenda. Kucinich proposed the need for “full universal health care” citing the fact that the US is “the only developed nation that does not have universal health care and that is awful.” Paul countered, citing his experience as a physician, that government involvement in health care would only complicate matters and keep patients from receiving necessary medical testing. Paul also repeated the phrase “Tax and spend” in an effort to dismiss Kucinich’s plan. Paul did however suggest streamlining the federal government and using that money, in the form of tax breaks, to subsidize medical costs for American citizens.
The wise and smartly dressed moderator then raised the issue of economic insecurity being at an all time high. Paul responded by suggesting that taxes are causing citizens to pay “out the nose” and that they were ultimately responsible for the economic troubles faced by our nation, adding, “Of course it’s their (the government’s) fault you don’t have any money, they took it all.” Kucinich responded to the prompt by suggesting taxes be cut among the lower and middle classes, also calling on the federal government to put an end to corporate welfare.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
On the issue of free trade with Columbia both candidates opposed the proposal. Kucinich noted that he would vote against it to protect American workers and manufacturers. Paul pointed out that America does not benefit from this deal and as such would oppose it.
On a rare point of contention, Paul and Kucinich differed in their responses to the notion of the US government funding UN measures for family planning on a world-wide scale. Paul asserted that US money and the distribution thereof should remain the responsibility of the US. Kucinich, on the other hand, suggested that the US needed to take a leadership role in the UN, that unilateralism has proven itself ineffective in Iraq, and that the UN is more familiar with the needs of the people in other nations and as such should be trusted with US funding.
Ending the formal debate Kucinich stated “I do believe that we can do better as a society.” He stressed that the US should resume the mantle of “friend to the world.” Bemoaning the loss of countless lives Kucinich asserted that the US has “forgone greatness for fear, bigotry, and racism,” adding that the government should “exist to help people.”
Paul concluded the formal debate by stating that “freedom is a wonderful thing.” At this point he countered some of Kucinich’s stances, stating forcefully that “Kucinich wants to take your freedoms” and “raise by taxes 7.7%.” Paul would add, “I’m a doctor, my job is to care about people.” Ending his statement by advising that the electorate “leave it up to the states” rather than the federal government.
After the formal debate came to a close the candidates took questions from the audience, the first of which concerned US giving monetary aide to foreign nations. Paul responded by stressing the need to control where US money goes while Kucinich suggested supporting the UN as they are better able to give, being closer to the problem. In response to a follow up question concerning the seeming irony in these policies – Paul’s argument that a distant US government is best equipped to handle global health issues seemingly contradicting his policy that states are better equipped to deal with issues based on proximity, while Kucinich’s plan of suggesting a lack of federal control over spending US money seemed to betray his general assurance that the federal government should be granted greater amounts of power – the candidates attempted to clarify their answers. Paul suggesting the problem with offering US funding to be distributed by the UN is that the US would be left without recourse if the money was spent in an undesirable way. Kucinich noted that the federal government is a means with which to push forward and as such can protect citizens from unfit state government.
The next informal question concerned health care costs, or more to the point, insurance companies already hindering health care. Paul responded by agreeing that the insurance companies are indeed problematic and that medical bills, under his plan, would be written off as tax exemptions. Paul also referred to a “Magic Money Room” which he implied Kucinich seemed to believe in.
Addressing a question concerning the quality of universal health care, Kucinich responded that universal health care not only works, but that it works well, also asserting that anyone can afford it, “because it’s free.” Paul, in response suggested that the real problem with the health care system is frivolous malpractice suits, to which Kucinich suggested doctors like Ron Paul should try to avoid malpractice. Paul essentially finished off the session by suggesting government involvement in health care would reduce the position of doctor to “just another bureaucratic office,” suggesting that the overall quality of health care would decrease.
One of course wonders whether a health care system ranked by the World Health Organization in the lower 30’s (2nd worst in infant mortality according to CNN) for years can stand suffering further degeneration. One must also consider whether the United Nations can be trusted to preserve American interests in their quest to aide the world. The voters at least have something to consider.
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