Guest Blog: Zeese responds
Kevin Zeese wrote the following response to the Voice editorial endorsing Ben Cardin (see below). I will do my best to answer him (though we are in the final moments of the election). But I thought that in the meantime Zeese has a right to express his point of view and rebut our editorial.
— ed.
While I am disappointed to see you endorse Ben Cardin you obviously have the right to endorse who you want. But, to publish false and inaccurate statements is not appropriate:
YOU SAY: "He has repeatedly advanced measures that would de-escalate the violence in Iraq and undo the damage that the U.S. has wrought there." How do the following votes by Ben Cardin support that claim:
Cardin Iraq Votes:
Voted against an exit plan from Iraq, even without a timetable, House Amendment 214 to H.R.1815, failed May 25, 2005.
Voted to stay the course in Iraq, House Amendment 488 to H.R.2601, passed July 20, 2005.
Voted in favor of expressing moral support for the Iraq War. H.Res. 60 passed on February 2, 2005.
Voted in favor of resolution praising the Iraq War and linking it to the war on terrorism. H.RES.757, passed on September 9, 2004.
Voted against an amendment to the Use of Force Resolution, H J RES 114, that would have urged the president to work through the United Nations to ensure that Iraq is not developing weapons of mass destruction, and urge the use of peaceful means to resolve the issue, including the resumption of weapons inspections. Rejected. October 10, 2002.
Voted seven times for a blank check for the occupation of Iraq which has cost the U.S. $320 Billion and for the bloated military budget, H.R.1815, passed December 19, 2005; H.R. 5122, passed May 11, 2006; H.R.5631, passed June 20, 2006; H.R.1815 passed May 25, 2005; H.R. 1268 passed March 16, 2005; H.R. 3289, September 30, 2004; H.R.1559, Passed, April 3, 2003.
CAN YOU POINT TO ONE VOTE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR CLAIM THAT HE IS WORKING TO DE-ESCALATING THE VIOLENCE? HOW ABOUT ONE BILL HE INTRODUCED? OR, EVEN ONE BILL HE CO-SPONSORED?
Related to this Cardin voted for the Patriot Act all three times it has come before him. He even voted for the version filibustered by Democrats in the Senate. H.R.3199, December 14, 2005. Cardin also voted to keep open the notorious Guantanamo Bay Prison as essential to the defense of the United States, House Amendment 487 to H.R.2601, passed July 20, 2005. Can we trust someone to determine Supreme Court nominees if they have so little respect for the Constitution?
Cardin gets about the same grade as Albert Wynn on the Peace Majority Report scorecard -- Cardin gets a 53% compared to Albert Wynn who gets a 52%! See
YOU SAY: "Cardin as a solid record on other crucial issues" Like these?:
Cardin Support for Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Waste: Cardin has voted on both sides of the question of nuclear proliferation, below are his votes that increase nuclear weapons.
Voted against an amendment to the appropriations energy and water bill that would have shifted funds away from nuclear energy subsidies toward energy efficiency. May 24, 2005.
Opposed negotiations to prevent nuclear weapons in space, House Amendment 475 to H.R.2601, failed July 20,2005.
Voted against an amendment to the 2003 Defense Authorization/Nuclear Weapons Development, HR 4546, that would state the U.S. policy toward toward Russia on nuclear weapons matters is to pursue cooperation and transparency. It also would repeal the ban on designing and developing low-yield nuclear weapons under certain conditions, including that another nation is conducting nuclear tests or developing nuclear weapons, May 2, 2002.
Exempting India from requirements that prevent nuclear proliferation under the Atomic Energy Act, H.R.5682, passed July 26, 2006.
Voted for a military budget that included funds for Iraq war, "star wars" program, and new nuclear weapons, HR 4200, passed on May 20, 2004.
Voted for an appropriation for Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage $174 million above requested by President Bush which also cut funding for renewable energy research by $30 million. Amendment to HR 2754, July 18, 2003.
Voted to override the state of Nevada’s veto and approve the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste facility. This will result in tens of thousands of radioactive shipments through communities in 44 states. HR 87 May 7, 2002.
Cardin voted for a bill slashing environmental, health and safety standards for the disposition and transportation of nuclear waste to create a new "temporary" above ground dump in Nevada is mandated by the bill while safeguards for permanent isolation are eliminated. Over a period of 30 years, 100,000 shipments of waste would travel by rail and truck through 43 states and within a half mile of 50 million Americans. H.R. 1270, October 30, 1997.
Voted for nuclear subsidies when he refused to cut the remaining $5 million from a nuclear subsidy known as the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative. H.R. 4060, June 22, 1998.
Reckless Militarism and Recruiting our Kids: Cardin has voted for the militarism of the Bush Administration.
Voted to force military recruiters and the ROTC on campus if the school wants to receive federal funds. H. Conf. Res. 354 passed March 14, 2006; House Amendment 211 to H.R.1815 passed May 25, 2005.
Voted to reaffirm the Global War on Terrorism, H.RES.427, September 8, 2005
Endorsed the disastrous foreign policy of the Bush Administration has recklessly carried out since entering office. Instead of endorsing our prolonged involvement in a misguided war, this bill misses a significant opportunity to focus on a plan to leave Iraq. The bill is punitive toward the UN, endorses Guantanamo Bay prison policies, and continues military support for Egypt and Israel. H.R. 2601 passed July 20, 2005.
Cardin Puts Israel First: No Matter What Crimes it Commits: Cardin has been among the most loyal supporters of Israel in the Congress and has been rewarded as a top 20 recipient of money from the hard right Israeli Lobby according to OpenSecrets.org. See:
Supporting Israel’s aggression against Lebanon and its disproportionate military attack that forced 25% of the civilians in the country to leave their homes. H RES 921, July 20, 2006.
To punish Palestine for electing the ‘wrong’ government. H.R.4681, May 23, 2006.
Voted against the Palestinian government and limited the ability of the U.S. to provide foreign aid. H R 2601, July 20, 2005.
Condemning the International Court of Justice for ruling the separation wall, which took 10% more Palestinian Territory and ensured that 70% of the water was in Israel, for ruling that the wall was illegal under international law. H RES 713, July 15, 2004.
Supporting setting of boundaries by U.S. and Israel rather than Israel and Palestine. H CON RES 460, June 23, 2004.
Voted to support Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories despite U.N. Resolutions urging Israel to leave the occupied territories. H RES 392, May 2, 2002.
Cardin gets a 40% rating from Jewish Voice for Peace. See:
In favor or corporate trade agreements: Ben Cardin has been a big supporter of trade agreements that empower international corporations at the expense of labor, consumer, human rights and the environment. Cardin is a supporter of NAFTA – which is a key cause of illegal immigration because of the economic diclocation it has caused in Mexico, Central and South America. He has voted for trade agreements with Chile, Singapore, Australia and Morocco. He voted to force state and local governments to use taxpayer money to impose the threats and rulings of international trade and investment tribunals. H.R. 4276, August 5, 1998.
In favor of corporate power in government: Ben Cardin has voted to limit the ability of the government to regulate industry, no matter how dangerous or damaging their practice if it is too expensive for the industry. HR 2342, May 18, 2004. He has voted to limit the power of investors to sue for fraud. H.R. 1058, March 8, 1995.
For Corporate Welfare: As you can see below, Rep. Cardin gets a lot of business money. In addition to voting for corporate trade agreements, wasteful defense department budgets there’s more corporate welfare he’s supported. A handout for pharmaceutical companies at the expense of children. Ben Cardin voted for the Best Pharmaceuticals for Childrens Act which would have given drug companies a six month extension on their patent if they tested the dangers of drugs in children. This should have been a basic requirement of drug testing before drugs come to the market. HR 2887, November 15, 2001. Cardin voted for corporate welfare for the fossil fuel industry rather than for clean energy alternatives when he voted against shifting $52 million from fossil fuels to clean energy on June 21, 2001. He voted against a similar amendment to cut $50 million from the fossil fuel subsidy and transfer it to clean energy alternatives on July 14, 1999. Cardin voted for funding for risky foreign corporate investments with tax payer dollars when he refused to cut funding to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation by $11.2 million. H.R. 2159, July 30, 1997. He voted to increase corporate welfare through OPIC in 1996 as well, HR 3759, September 11, 1996. He also voted to provide corporate welfare for U.S. investors in Mexico when the peso was devalued in 1994. HR 2020, July 19, 1995.
Wrong on Making Television Time Available to Candidates: The cost of campaigning is in large part due to the cost of advertising on the public airwaves – television. But, Ben Cardin voted against an amendment that would have required television stations to charge the “lowest unit charge” thereby resulting in increasing the cost of television airtime so only the wealthiest candidates can compete. HR 2356, February 13, 2002.
Against Importation of Less Expensive Pharmaceutical Drugs: Cardin voted against two measures that clearly would have allowed for the importation of less expensive prescription drugs from Canada. In 2003 Cardin joined 34 Democrats and 142 Republicans in
YOU SAY: "He is a true blue liberal, clearly committed to to the idea that government has a responsibility to serve the citizens it governs." Come on. All of the above votes are consistent with the interests of his funders—as opposed to the citizens. On every key issue -- health care, pharmaceuticals, Israel-Palestine, nuclear power, nuclear weapons, sustainable energy, election reform -- Cardin has put the interests of his funders first and the citizens a distant second. Cardin is the largest PAC recipient of any Maryland politician -- health insurance, banking, pharmaceuticals, the Israeli lobby, military-industrial complex. He is exactly what is wrong with the Democratic Party. You can see his funding sources at:
Now, all of the above is true—and you can admit that is true—and still decide that the greater evil is too dangerous. That is fine -- it is a common method of voting in the United States -- to not vote for what you want, but instead vote based on fear. That is fine -- you can vote for what you don't want -- but don't mislead your readership (or yourself) to think that Cardin is going to help solve the problems our corporate-government creates for citizens and the world. He is part of the problem - not part of the solution. CARDIN IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY - HE IS A SELL-OUT TO THE SPECIAL INTERESTS ON ISSUE AFTER ISSUE.
Also, very nice to have a Letter to the Editor supporting your editorial above your editorial. Would it not have been more fair and balanced to have printed a different view?
Kevin
Comments
Thanks for posting this detailed reply from Zeese. I would appreciate seeing an editorial response to his points.
Posted by: Andy Laken | November 6, 2006 09:09 AM