Mike Gravel on Abortion

• Fund stem cell research on existing & new embryonic lines. (Apr 2008)
• Agreed with NARAL on 16 pro-choice votes; absent on other 7. (Jan 2008)
• Any abortion decision should remain between woman & doctor. (Apr 2007)
• Stem Cell research should not be limited. (Jun 2006)

Mike Gravel on Budget & Economy

• Clinton’s 1990s military reductions created budget surplus. (May 2008)
• Supports line-item veto; opposes signing statements. (Apr 2008)
• Considered his bankruptcy as creditors donating to his cause. (Nov 2007)
• Personal bankruptcy ok because money went to empower people. (Sep 2007)
• Unequivocally Endorses The Common Sense Budget Act. (Dec 2006)
• Make Office of Scientific Assessment to avoid cost overruns. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Civil Rights

• Bush’s overblown War on Terror is modern McCarthyism. (May 2008)
• Established first in-state high school for native Alaskans. (May 2008)
• Discontinue public college & government affirmative action. (Apr 2008)
• Alaskan gay supporters in Harvey Milk Club. (Aug 2007)
• Marriage preceded religion; it’s not a religious term. (Aug 2007)
• Mainstream politicians play it safe on gay marriage. (Aug 2007)
• First accomplishment: creating AK Human Rights Commission. (Aug 2007)
• Straight older men are dead wrong to oppose gay marriage. (Aug 2007)
• By next election, gay marriage could win a popular vote. (Aug 2007)
• Civil union establish second-class citizenship for gays. (Aug 2007)
• We must assert our rights; nobody will give them to you. (Aug 2007)
• Dems love blacks during elections, but nothing has improved. (Jul 2007)
• Electoral-industrial complex steals African-American votes. (Jul 2007)
• Racism still with us in the 21st century. (Jun 2007)
• Don’t ask don’t tell should have gone 20 years ago. (Jun 2007)
• Unequivocally supports same-sex marriage. (Feb 2007)
• Politicians use fear to manipulate us all. (Feb 2007)
• Calling critics or doubters un-American is anti-patriotic. (Aug 2006)

Mike Gravel on Corporations

• Hold accountable war-profiteers like NBC and GE. (Oct 2007)
• Leadership fails because US is run by corporate America. (Sep 2007)
• Corporate taxes just get passed on to consumers. (Dec 2006)
• Purpose of economy is to meet people’s needs, not business. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Crime

• Eliminate the federal death penalty. (Apr 2008)
• If you don’t have any money, you don’t get any justice. (Jun 2007)
• Eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing laws. (May 2007)
• Citizen Power includes abolition of the death penalty. (Jan 2007)
• More jails don’t cut crime--must address poverty instead. (Jan 1972)
• Stop punishment for victimless crimes: drugs, sex & gambling. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Drugs

• War on drugs is a total failure. (Nov 2007)
• Supports national ban on smoking in public places. (Sep 2007)
• Lower drinking age from 21 to 18 so soldiers can drink. (Sep 2007)
• Allow buying marijuana at liquor stores. (Aug 2007)
• Decriminalize hard drugs so we can treat addicts. (Aug 2007)
• Drug War failing now, like Prohibition failed in 1920s. (Aug 2007)
• Drugs are public health issue, not criminal issue. (Jun 2007)
• FactCheck: Only 40% of inmates are black; not 70% as claimed. (Jun 2007)
• War on drugs loses an entire generation to our prisons. (May 2007)
• Legalize the use and possession of marijuana. (Feb 2007)

Mike Gravel on Education

• Science must guide us, not religious extremism. (May 2008)
• Supports vouchers, charters, and magnet schools. (Apr 2008)
• No position on separation of church & state. (Nov 2007)
• Extend school day and extend school year. (Sep 2007)
• Our school stats fail because we’re stuck in triumphalism. (Sep 2007)
• GovWatch: Yes, Americans are getting fatter, but not dumber. (Sep 2007)
• Supports merit pay for teachers; make education top priority. (Aug 2007)
• Sent kids to some private school; likes a little competition. (Jul 2007)
• US schools fail because we’re yoked by military. (Feb 2007)
• Citizen Power includes school vouchers. (Jan 2007)
• Vouchers are innovative & imaginative--let’s experiment. (Jan 1972)
• 25% bonus for teachers in hardship areas. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Energy & Oil

• Implacably opposed to civilian nuclear power. (May 2008)
• Using H-bombs to build harbors is an “insane idea”. (May 2008)
• 1971: Nuclear power causes long-term contamination. (May 2008)
• 1971: Fought environmentalists for Alaska oil pipeline. (May 2008)
• Institute a tax on oil. (Apr 2008)
• Carbon tax can get us off of gasoline in 5 years. (Sep 2007)
• Wind power is solution to oil dependency. (Sep 2007)
• I started the nuclear critique in this country. (Apr 2007)
• Make Global Warming a matter of national security. (Dec 2006)
• Immediately sign the Kyoto protocol. (Nov 2006)
• Nuclear energy is unwise because of nuclear waste. (Jan 1972)
• Sponsored bill letting states decide on federal dams. (Aug 1979)

Mike Gravel on Environment

• 1971 support of SST conflicted with environmentalists. (May 2008)
• Strengthen Clean Water Act & Clean Air Act. (Apr 2008)
• To get Americans to conserve, change the tax structure. (Jul 2007)
• Iraq funds could build 4 million homes for Katrina victims. (Jun 2007)
• Support a carbon tax and stop fighting wars for oil. (Jun 2007)
• Sponsored bill for Congress to decide land use, not DOI. (Sep 1979)
• Sponsored bill allowing tax deduction for recycling costs. (Apr 1980)

Mike Gravel on Families & Children

• US ranks low worldwide in child literacy and child health. (Nov 2006)

Mike Gravel on Foreign Policy

• Sanctions never work, unless regime’s victims ask for them. (May 2008)
• 1970s self-examination of US role is needed again. (May 2008)
• American messianism: Christianizing & democratizing abroad. (May 2008)
• 1948: Volunteered to fight for Israeli independence. (May 2008)
• Cold War Latin America policy was imperialistic. (May 2008)
• Reagan did not end Cold War; Gorbachev’s reforms did. (May 2008)
• With policy of “beggar thy neighbor,” we all become beggars. (Dec 2007)
• Recognize Cuba; open up to Chavez in Venezuela. (Sep 2007)
• No US troops in Darfur; Africans don’t trust US. (Jul 2007)
• Need president with moral judgment; most don’t have it. (Jun 2007)
• US has no important enemies, so treat world as equals. (Apr 2007)
• Bi-lateral plus multi-lateral talks with North Korea. (Aug 2006)
• Replace intervention with participation, not isolation. (Jan 1972)
• US should empower UN with stand-by peace force. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Free Trade

• No sanctions on China or Venezuela, but no trade agreements. (Apr 2008)
• CAFTA & NAFTA cause unemployment in Mexico & Central America. (Sep 2007)
• Trade agreements only benefit shareholders. (Jun 2007)

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• Tariffs on China could spur worldwide economic downturn. (May 2008)

Mike Gravel on Government Reform

• Secrecy makes democracy a sham. (May 2008)
• Presidents often tend toward monarchy, especially during war. (May 2008)
• 1972: Senate presented evidence for 1st time in Gravel case. (May 2008)
• 1972: Lost Supreme Court case, United States v. Gravel. (May 2008)
• Senators can & should reveal secret war plans with impunity. (May 2008)
• I hate government secrecy; it only protects government. (May 2008)
• Use political power to accomplish something. (May 2008)
• FISA was created to check abuse of power. (May 2008)
• Public taxpayer funding for federal candidates. (Apr 2008)
• Incumbents blocking FEC matching funds for other candidates. (Apr 2008)
• Public empowerment appeals to progressives & libertarians. (Nov 2007)
• National Initiative criticized as public opinion bureaucracy. (Nov 2007)
• Americans are getting fatter & dumber; must get empowered!. (Sep 2007)
• Asks candidates to pledge to use existing public finance law. (Aug 2007)
• When you use political capital, more capital flows your way. (Aug 2007)
• Obama avoids PAC money, but takes lobbyists’ bundled money. (Jul 2007)
• Without paper ballots, they’ll steal the next election too. (Jul 2007)
• Congress is Constitutionally more powerful than President. (Jun 2007)
• Congress is Constitutionally more powerful than President. (Jun 2007)
• People protest because they cannot participate in power. (Jun 2007)
• People protest because they cannot participate in power. (Jun 2007)
• Institute healtharereforms by people’s National Initiative. (Mar 2007)
• I’ve got no money; of course I’m for campaign finance reform. (Feb 2007)
• You can be empowered to vote on issues that affect your life. (Feb 2007)
• Repeal the Electoral College; enact federal term limits. (Dec 2006)
• National Initiative to allow citizen law makers. (Nov 2006)
• Start with public financing of campaigns. (Jan 1972)
• Abolish voter registration as precondition for voting. (Jan 1972)
• Replace electoral college with direct election. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Gun Control

• Doesn’t hunt, but shot moose injured by Alaskan trains. (May 2008)
• License for concealed carry; teach firearms safety. (Apr 2008)
• Military culture causes more gun violence. (Jul 2007)
• Require license & training for gun ownership. (May 2007)

Mike Gravel on Health Care

• Expand Medicare coverage & child healthcare programs. (Apr 2008)
• Universal coverage with guaranteed equal care. (Sep 2007)
• Reforms fail because pharma companies control Congress. (Sep 2007)
• Everybody should have the same health care. (Sep 2007)
• Applies lessons from his healthcare-related bankruptcy. (Sep 2007)
• Need to do better job on treating Americans with HIV. (Aug 2007)
• End subsidization of the insurance companies. (Jun 2007)
• Doctors do a lot of testing today to cover their backsides. (Mar 2007)
• Single-payer health care plan via vouchers you can add to. (Mar 2007)
• Real reform impossible under mercantile lobbying system. (Mar 2007)
• Reforming employer-based system keeps historical accident. (Mar 2007)
• Vouchers provide freedom of choice and perhaps public plan. (Mar 2007)
• President has role to energize people for preventive health. (Mar 2007)
• Phase out Medicare and Medicaid over time. (Mar 2007)
• Citizen Power includes universal health care. (Jan 2007)
• Almost all developed nations provide healthcare for all. (Nov 2006)
• We have impressive resources but need delivery to people. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Homeland Security

• In Congress, personified opposition to American militarism. (May 2008)
• Soldiers die in vain if war serves only elite interests. (May 2008)
• President’s job since WWII is pitchman for war industry. (May 2008)
• Released full Pentagon Papers when Nixon stopped publication. (May 2008)
• Made into Senate pariah for releasing Pentagon Papers. (May 2008)
• Boston publisher finally printed Pentagon Papers. (May 2008)
• Sued by Nixon in Supreme Court case. (May 2008)
• Bush & military-industrialists rule by fear-mongering. (May 2008)
• CIA NIE ignored in 1947 about Cold War; & in 2004 about Iraq. (May 2008)
• 1969: Opposed early ABM anti-missile systems. (May 2008)
• Bush’s ABMs don’t work well but do enrich insiders. (May 2008)
• 1969: Protested nuclear bomb tests on Aleutians. (May 2008)
• Peacetime draft militarizes the culture. (May 2008)
• Foreign arms sales funnel money back to defense industry. (May 2008)
• Reagan’s SDI set stage for Bush’s trashing the ABM treaty. (May 2008)
• Need new 9/11 investigation on sources of Bin Laden’s power. (May 2008)
• No monitoring domestic communication; no military tribunals. (Apr 2008)
• No additional homeland security funding; no missile defense. (Apr 2008)
• 1960s: Wept openly in Senate because US is dragged in mud. (Nov 2007)
• I ended the draft; I stopped nuclear testing. (Sep 2007)
• Terrorism is not a war; treat it as a criminal act. (Sep 2007)
• We are STILL expanding our nuclear capability. (Aug 2007)
• US has nothing to fear; fear sustains the military complex. (Aug 2007)
• Filibustered to end the draft; but women should register. (Jul 2007)
• Cut Pentagon by more than 15%; we’re squandering money. (Jun 2007)
• FactCheck: Yes, Iraq money could fund 21M scholarships. (Jun 2007)
• Threatening nukes is immoral foreign policy. (Apr 2007)
• Fighting terrorism with a war doesn’t work. (Apr 2007)
• US is the greatest violator of the non-proliferation treaty. (Apr 2007)
• Filibustered the draft in ‘71, causing its expiration in ‘73. (Jan 2007)
• Raze Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib prisons to the ground. (Dec 2006)
• Cut US nuclear arsenal from 10,000 to a couple hundred. (Nov 2006)
• War on terror will fail like war on drugs & war on poverty. (Nov 2006)
• Fight terrorism with dogged global police work. (Nov 2006)
• Remove power to declare war from Congress-they’ve abdicated. (Apr 2006)
• Fought & beat Nixon White House on Pentagon Papers in 1971. (Apr 2006)
• Bush administration’s secrecy is worse than Nixon’s. (Apr 2006)
• Cut military budget in half--we don’t need such “readiness”. (Jan 1972)
• Government secrecy creates 1984-style state. (Jan 1972)
• National security is no need for government secrecy. (Jan 1972)

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• Presidential imperialism feeds the arms industry. (May 2008)

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• Bush uses Patriot Act to gut international law. (May 2008)

Mike Gravel on Immigration

• Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working here. (Apr 2008)
• We’re making a mountain out of a mole hill on immigration. (Dec 2007)
• Immigration issue is national scapegoating. (Sep 2007)
• Embarrassed at building a wall on southern border. (Sep 2007)
• Suspend immigrant raids that separate families. (Sep 2007)
• I’m first-generation American; we’re all immigrants. (Sep 2007)
• Make whole country a sanctuary city. (Sep 2007)
• I’m ashamed that we’re building a fence on southern border. (Sep 2007)
• Make English the official language of the US. (Jun 2007)
• Illegal immigrants come here for jobs; don’t deport them. (Jun 2006)
• Nativists who want to fence us in are dead wrong. (May 2008)

Mike Gravel on Jobs

• Communists helped unions end child labor & set 8-hr workday. (May 2008)
• Support unionization; raise federal minimum wage. (Apr 2008)
• Claims 100% rating with AFL-CIO for full legislative career. (Aug 2007)
• Minimum wage as president OK, but we need living wage. (Jul 2007)
• Citizens Wage: individuals share in nation’s total affluence. (Jan 1972)
• Sponsored bill helping employees buy closing businesses. (May 1979)

Mike Gravel on Principles & Values

• Served in US Army in the Cold War in Europe. (May 2008)
• Withdrew from politics for 26 years, ashamed of politics. (May 2008)
• Political career started as teen handing out campaign flyers. (May 2008)
• Dyslexic, hence became avid political reader at a late age. (May 2008)
• As army spy, felt rotten spying on innocent people. (May 2008)
• Moved to pre-statehood Alaska because no political elite. (May 2008)
• 1958: Ran for Alaska Legislature as prep for US Senate. (May 2008)
• 1965: False promise to opponent to get House speakership. (May 2008)
• 1980: Forced into bankruptcy by bad real estate deals. (May 2008)
• Gadfly who’s mad as hell at Democratic Establishment. (Nov 2007)
• Lost re-election after alienating every AK constituency. (Nov 2007)
• Blogosphere hails Gravel/Paul ticket with cross-party appeal. (Nov 2007)
• No-nonsense challenge to mainstream Democratic shuffling. (Nov 2007)
• Wildcard independent run raises specter of Nader. (Nov 2007)
• Protests being cut out of debate as free speech issue. (Oct 2007)
• I believe in the power of love over the power of prayer. (Aug 2007)
• Decisive moment: realizing representative gov’t is broken. (Aug 2007)
• Leadership brings society to civic maturity on tough issues. (Aug 2007)
• Leaders are seen as mavericks, and only later as courageous. (Aug 2007)
• Clintons & DLC sold out the Democratic Party to Wall Street. (Jul 2007)
• GOP lost in 2006 because they were lousy; Dems must earn ‘08. (Jun 2007)
• Video “Fire” is metaphor for gathering & using experience. (Jun 2007)
• Video “Rock” is metaphor for causing changes in society. (Jun 2007)
• Did not plan on presidency, but candidates are frightening. (Apr 2007)
• Let the people decide: Solution is with you, not leaders. (Mar 2007)
• Achieved much in Senate, but prefers governors for president. (Feb 2007)
• US citizens should be allowed to vote for or against laws. (Feb 2007)
• Came in 3rd for Vice Presidential nomination in 1972. (Jan 2007)
• Has campaigned in NH almost fulltime since April 2006. (Jan 2007)
• Citizen Power: democracy requires participation. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Social Security

• Put real money in the Trust Fund & invest it properly. (Dec 2006)
• Let beneficiaries leave surplus funds to heirs. (Apr 2006)

Mike Gravel on Tax Reform

• Eliminate income tax so the wealthy can’t “game” the system. (Nov 2007)
• Tax code is corrupt & serves the wealthy. (Jun 2007)
• Wipe out the income tax! -- it’s regressive. (Feb 2007)
• National sales tax; no exceptions; prebates for essentials. (Feb 2007)
• Supports a national sales tax to replace IRS. (Jan 2007)
• Repeal the income tax and close down the IRS. (Dec 2006)
• Tax system unfairness only superceded by incomprehensibility. (Apr 2006)
• Less regressive tax on poor; more capital gains on rich. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on War & Peace

• Iraqis never asked for invasion; don’t shift blame to them. (May 2008)
• 2001: Should have made deal with Saddam to fight extremists. (May 2008)
• Unconstitutional to defund war; so criminalize it. (May 2008)
• Iraq war was propagandized like 1898 “Remember the Maine!”. (May 2008)
• 1960s Vietnam posed no threat to America. (May 2008)
• Intent of War Powers Act was to stop wars like Iraq. (May 2008)
• Neocons plotted since 1991 to overthrow Saddam. (May 2008)
• Only morons & neocons think war achieves Mideast democracy. (May 2008)
• Meeting with Hamas jump-starts the peace process. (Apr 2008)
• Iran’s not a problem, never has been, never will be. (Dec 2007)
• Make Congress vote on veto override and war will end. (Sep 2007)
• Patraeus report is tragic charade; we all knew what he’d say. (Sep 2007)
• Pull American troops out; it can be done in 120 days. (Sep 2007)
• Young men & women will die because of this nation’s mistake. (Sep 2007)
• Iran Resolution is a fig leaf to go to war with Iran. (Sep 2007)
• Bush cooking books on Iran; resolve against invading Iran. (Aug 2007)
• Blaming Iraqis for war problems is American imperialism. (Aug 2007)
• Bush can’t go into Iran today because I filibustered draft. (Aug 2007)
• Soldiers in Vietnam died in vain; now same in Iraq. (Jul 2007)
• 2006 election was about Bush’s war; so end it. (Jun 2007)
• Vietnam caused no dominoes; Iraq won’t either. (Jun 2007)
• Someone who voted for the Iraq war shouldn’t be president. (Jun 2007)
• Soldiers in Iraq are dying in vain; so just get out. (Apr 2007)
• Iraq war was lost the day Bush invaded-make it illegal. (Apr 2007)
• 2008 election will be decided by how Democrats handle war. (Feb 2007)
• Bush can sign bill to end war, or he can believe in God. (Feb 2007)
• Anyone who voted for the war should not be president. (Feb 2007)
• Bring the troops home now. (Feb 2007)
• Stop nuclear proliferation: the Cold War is over. (Feb 2007)
• Immediate withdrawal from the war in Iraq. (Jan 2007)
• Commence an immediate and orderly withdrawal from Iraq. (Dec 2006)
• Election was mandate for peace but carnage continues for oil. (Dec 2006)
• US creates threats to our own security by acting out of fear. (Jan 1972)

Mike Gravel on Welfare & Poverty

• No position on faith-based initiatives. (Oct 2007)
• US ranks low worldwide in poverty statistics. (Nov 2006)
• Citizens Wage: $5000 income from feds to banish poverty. (Jan 1972)
• Workfare is morally repugnant; why not “wealthwork”? (Jan 1972)