Light one up

Dennis Kucinich first came to nationwide attention in 1977, when he became the nation's youngest big-city mayor upon being elected mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. He served one tumultuous term in which the biggest issue was the drive by banks and business interests to force the city to sell its municipal electricity authority, Muny Light. Kucinich had been elected on a pledge to stop the sale.

It was thirty years ago today that it came to a head when the banks tried to force the sale by calling the city's loans and refusing to extend credit without the sale of the utility. Kucinich refused to fold and the city went into default.

His determination cost Kucinich the mayor's office and almost cost him his entire career: He was out of public life for 15 years until in 1993, city officials of Cleveland, which still owned Muny Light, said Kucinich's decision had saved the city and its residents hundreds of millions of dollars over that time.

Kucinich tells the story in much more detail at this link. It's worth reading because as we pillory autoworkers and praise bankers, it's wise to remember just what those we favor are capable of.