Guest Author - Linda Sue Grimes

In addition to environmental issues, the Green Party is committed to tackling issues of social justice through grass-roots efforts. They claim that they “provide real solutions for real problems.” They boast that they have “the courage and independence” to challenge powerful corporations on issues such as “universal health care, corporate globalization, alternative energy, election reform or decent, living wages for workers.” They are especially incensed by corporate-dominated politics.

Their decision making body is their National Committee formed by representatives from each authorized state party. Their National Convention nominated David Cobb and Pat LaMarche for president and vice-president on the 2004 ticket, this while also supporting the independent Ralph Nader that year, making for a rather schizophrenic presidential run.

51 States and Colonies
The current incarnation of Green Party of the United States was founded in 2001 from the remnants of the Association of State Green Parties that existed from 1996. Incredibly, the Green Party official web site actually states the following: “Our initial goal was to help existing state parties grow and to promote the formation of parties in all 51 states and colonies.” They fail to name the “51st state” or any of the “colonies.”

The Green Party claims to be partnered with the European Federation of Green Parties and the Federation of Green Parties of the Americas. One has to wonder what implications such a relationship would have for an elected government official: would they be compelled to caucus with European and Latin American governments as they govern the United States?

Ten Key Values and Preamble to Falsehoods
They assert 10 key values: Grassroots Democracy, Social Justice, Ecological Wisdom, Non-violence, Decentralization, Community-based Economics, Feminism, Diversity, Responsibility, Future Focus, but then equivocate by claiming that there is no “authoritative version”; in fact, each state and local chapter is free to adapt and define these values as they please.

Just by perusing the first two sentences of the Preamble to their 2004 Platform, the reader can confirm that this party is a left-leaning socialist organization that is merely spouting the talking points of the Democratic Party:

Never has our country faced as many challenges and crises as we do in 2004 and the near future. Levels of federal revenue are the lowest they have been since 1950 because of tax cuts and breaks for the very rich and for corporations.

These statements are patently false. Our country has always been confronted by “many challenges and crises,” even the birth of this nation was achieved through “many challenges and crises.” And because of the tax cuts that were enjoyed not only by the very rich and big corporations but also by small companies and every tax-paying worker, “levels of federal revenue” have never been higher. Tax cuts always raise significantly the level of tax revenue because of the expansive effect they have on the economy.

They currently advocate impeaching George Bush to end the war in Iraq.

Official Web Site for the Green Party