Why I chose the Green Party
Aug. 23rd, 2004 02:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sophiaserpentiaOf the parties I examined, the Green Party presented views closest to my own. In addition to the two key points of opposing the war in Iraq and promoting the repeal of the USA PATRIOT Act, they list these ten key points in their political philosophy:
Grassroots Democracy
Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives; no one should be subject to the will of another. Therefore we will work to increase public participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations that expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making process.
Ecological Wisdom
Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society that utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation. To this end we must have agricultural practices that replenish the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.
Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and heterosexism, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.
Nonviolence
It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to our current patterns of violence at all levels, from the family and the streets, to nations and the world. We will work to demilitarize our society and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote nonviolent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.
Decentralization
Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore, we support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions away from a system that is controlled by and mostly benefits the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system. Decision-making should, as much as possible, remain at the individual and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all citizens.
Community Based Economics
We recognize it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living, for all people, while maintaining a healthy ecological balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a "living wage" which reflects the real value of a person's work. Local communities must look to economic development that assures protection of the environment and workers' rights, broad citizen participation in planning, and enhancement of our "quality of life". We support independently owned and operated companies which are socially responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that spread out resources and control to more people through democratic participation.
Feminism
We have inherited a social system based on male domination of politics and economics. We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control, with more cooperative ways of interacting which respect differences of opinion and gender. Human values such as equity between the -sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We should remember that the process that determines our decisions and actions is just as important as achieving the outcome we want.
Respect for Diversity
We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines. We believe the many diverse elements of society should be reflected in our organizations and decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been traditionally closed out of leadership roles. We acknowledge and encourage respect for other life forms and the preservation of biodiversity.
Personal and Global Responsibility
We encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.
Future Focus and Sustainability
Our actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely disposing of or "unmaking" all waste we create, while developing a sustainable economics that does not depend on continual expansion for survival. We must counter-balance the drive for short-term profits by assuring that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit the results of our actions. Our overall goal is not merely to survive, but to share lives that are truly worth living. We believe the quality of our individual lives is enriched by the quality of all of our lives. We encourage everyone to see the dignity and intrinsic worth in all of life, and to take the time to understand and appreciate themselves, their community and the magnificent beauty of this world.
Grassroots Democracy
Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives; no one should be subject to the will of another. Therefore we will work to increase public participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations that expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making process.
Ecological Wisdom
Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society that utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation. To this end we must have agricultural practices that replenish the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.
Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and heterosexism, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.
Nonviolence
It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to our current patterns of violence at all levels, from the family and the streets, to nations and the world. We will work to demilitarize our society and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote nonviolent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.
Decentralization
Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore, we support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions away from a system that is controlled by and mostly benefits the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system. Decision-making should, as much as possible, remain at the individual and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all citizens.
Community Based Economics
We recognize it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living, for all people, while maintaining a healthy ecological balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a "living wage" which reflects the real value of a person's work. Local communities must look to economic development that assures protection of the environment and workers' rights, broad citizen participation in planning, and enhancement of our "quality of life". We support independently owned and operated companies which are socially responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that spread out resources and control to more people through democratic participation.
Feminism
We have inherited a social system based on male domination of politics and economics. We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control, with more cooperative ways of interacting which respect differences of opinion and gender. Human values such as equity between the -sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We should remember that the process that determines our decisions and actions is just as important as achieving the outcome we want.
Respect for Diversity
We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines. We believe the many diverse elements of society should be reflected in our organizations and decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been traditionally closed out of leadership roles. We acknowledge and encourage respect for other life forms and the preservation of biodiversity.
Personal and Global Responsibility
We encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.
Future Focus and Sustainability
Our actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely disposing of or "unmaking" all waste we create, while developing a sustainable economics that does not depend on continual expansion for survival. We must counter-balance the drive for short-term profits by assuring that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit the results of our actions. Our overall goal is not merely to survive, but to share lives that are truly worth living. We believe the quality of our individual lives is enriched by the quality of all of our lives. We encourage everyone to see the dignity and intrinsic worth in all of life, and to take the time to understand and appreciate themselves, their community and the magnificent beauty of this world.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 11:44 am (UTC)http://www.livejournal.com/users/alobar/934197.html
no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 12:01 pm (UTC)The odd position that third parties are in, in the United States, means that third parties primarily exist to promote ideas and ideologies rather than aiming to win elections.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 12:13 pm (UTC)In Britain in theory anyone can win... however it's usually only likely to be labour (supposedly left), or tories (medium right), however there's always been the Liberal Democrats (left) tettering just outside of the big two with some influence. The political scene in England's changing though, labour is still likely to be the next leading party, and primeminister, but tories, the former great power will drop to third. The other smaller parties such as the green party (my vote), and UKIP and BNP (sadly as they're hard right racists) are taking chunks out of the top three.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 12:10 pm (UTC)David Cobb has vowed to campaign in EVERY one of the 50 states so long as the state parties invite him to do so.
I have attended several David Cobb speeches and lectures and he clearly talks about how bad Kerry and the current Democratic Party leadership are.
He has a strategy. His strategy is basically: look, we can't win this one. we don't have enough ballot access, we don't have enough money, and there's too much bitterness over this spoiler thing...those are things that are outside of the control of the cobb campaign, those are things that happened before cobb got the nomination. So given all that what is our goal? Our goal is to build the party. So let's focus on that. He WILL campaign in swing states but when he does he'll be campaigning on behalf of our MANY local candidates that are running there.
He wants Bush out of office. He doesn't want Kerry in. In EVERY other case where a Green is in a three way race with a Dem and Rep he will be actively and fiercing supporting the Green. In ANY race EVEN in a swing state where the Greens have ANYTHING to gain from people voting for Cobb (such as retaining or gaining a ballot line or getting matching funds) he will campaign hard. He isn't going to throw away a hard earned Green party ballot line just to avoid being a spoiler. But there are swing states where we don't have established party status, we don't get matching funds, we don't have a ballot line, and we aren't going to be able to get them this time around. What is the point of campaigning there?
When Nader ran in 2000 there was a very real chance of getting 5% of the popular vote and earning matching funds. That didn't pan out but it was worth trying for. There were very real opportunities to establish party status in some states. That DID pan out. There was a very real chance of establishing lots of new party locals. That DID pan out. Cobb will grow the party in the ways that make sense given the current political situation.
And while he will explain this strategy to people (if you are in a "safe state" then vote for Cobb, if you are in an "unsafe state" then do what you have to do) he is not actually telling people to vote for Kerry. He's just letting them know that their vote should be strategically considered. What is there to gain vs what is there to lose?
I am running for local office with the Green Party (http://www.votezach.org).
no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 12:26 pm (UTC)They've got us right where they want us with that stance.
Since Kerry cannot win on his current "more warmongering than Bush" platform, a vote for Kerry will be a wasted vote. And if he does win, he'll claim a "mandate" for his pro-war and corporatist policies, and will totally ignore any of the issues backed by the Greens/Nader/Kucinich.
Always vote your issues and your conscience - it's the only way to ever get the Republicrats to hear you.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 01:04 pm (UTC)Instead of accepting the blame for poor campaign strategy, they pointed accusing fingers at a candidate who took a small sliver of the vote.
Except for the prospect of a Chief Justice Scalia, I cannot see demonstrative difference between Kerry and Bush.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-23 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-08-24 09:03 am (UTC)If Nader had bowed out and his votes had fallen to Gore, Bush would not have been able to steal the election. Gore's victory would not have been by a small enough margin for it to be covered over by chicanery.
For every election except Presidential, I vote my conscience, but for the Presidency ... appointment is too powerful a tool to even risk it falling into the hands of a monster again. I have to vote Democrat, even though I loathe Kerry, because the consequences of a second Bush term are just too great.