As a necessary component of the living world, we must
extend compassion to one another and to every living thing. Our mission as
human beings can truly be to elevate this world from a condition of
suffering and cruelty to the planet's creatures, and towards a condition
of compassion and inherent respect. Through elevating the cause of every
creature, we elevate our own humanity.
We lift up the cause of humanity by reaching out and
connecting with all things living. It is our sense of interconnection with
all living things that brings us to respect the rights of animals, that we
understand that animals are not to be lower than, that animals should not
have less of a claim to existence, less of a claim to the possibility of
survival, less of a claim to dignity.
Every one of us knows a story of animal cruelty; every one
of us knows how in one way or another official policies have sanctioned
cruelty to animals. I will work to put compassion into action in our
policies with respect to animals in this country and I will work to have
America set a higher standard, not only for this country, but for the
world; to make sure that all of God's creatures, that all animals are
given a chance to have dignity in our society and are given a chance to
experience the appreciation they should have as living beings.
Under my administration, I will include advocacy of animal
rights in the Department of Peace, which I have already proposed to
Congress. This cabinet-level department will work with, and offer an
alternative to, the Defense Department. There have been numerous studies
that have suggested a link between animal cruelty and domestic violence.
The Department of Peace will not only seek to resolve international
conflicts in nonviolent means, but also seek to instill a peaceful
paradigm into the hearts of all the people of the world, so that one day
war will be an archaic relic of a time that has passed.
My farm policy will favor independent and family-owned
farms. I will support a national ban on packer ownership of livestock, and
introduce numerous new incentives for farmers to convert to sustainable
and organic farming and ranching techniques. The vision of the meat that
we consume coming from happy and healthy free-range animals will become
more of a reality, as opposed to the inhumane conditions that the often
mutated chickens and cows and pigs are forced to sustain in our current
system.
As a member of Congress, I have cosponsored every piece of
major animal protection legislation. In addition, I hold the distinction
of being the only vegan in Congress. I made this lifestyle change many
years ago, because I consider all life on our Earth to be sacred. As a
vegan, I choose not to eat any animals or animal products. I strive to
live my life in accordance with my convictions, and any other choice of
diet would defy my ideals, and in my judgment be hypocritical.
Kucinich for President - Animal Rights
http://www.kucinich.us/issues/rightsanimal.php
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