From the HUFFINGTON POST:
…Kaptur and Kucinich were victims of a congressional redistricting process that combined their seats. Because of the population losses recorded by the 2010 U.S. Census, Ohio lost two congressional districts and the borders of the remaining districts were redrawn. The new map combines the districts of Kaptur, who represents what is currently the 9th district, and Kucinich, who represents the 10th….
Kucinich was elected mayor at the age of 31 and became known nationally as the “boy mayor of Cleveland.” It was in that position that his well-earned reputation for what backers called principle, and enemies called stubborness, was born. It was the late ’70s, and the finances of the city were in shambles, as they were across much of the country. Major banks approached the “boy mayor” with an offer they thought he couldn’t refuse: privatize the local utility, Muni Light, or face bankruptcy. Kucinich wouldn’t sell and the city went into default.
Predictably, his popularity plummeted, and Kucinich was tossed out of office two years after being sworn in. His political career apparently over, he languished professionally and personally. As the years wore on, however, and surrounding cities paid staggering costs for having privatized their own utilities, the people of Cleveland began to take another look at Kucinich. His refusal to sell out — his willingness to take the political hit for what he believed in — turned him into a retroactively popular figure. Later studies of Kucinich’s decision confirmed that he saved the city and its ratepayers millions over the years. ….
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EDITOR: Like him or not, this is a great American story. Greece might take heed.
The timing of his exit from Congress could not be better. He was isolated there and could not get much done. The place is filled with corporate whores.
Now, he can come out of that corrupt, dysfunctional institution and actually make a difference.
The political action is outside of Congress. This is a time of great change and he can play a very important role in shaping the future. The sooner he can see that the better.
KZ
EDITOR: Our sentiments exactly.