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About The North Coast times-eagle. (Wheeler, Oregon) 1971-2007 | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2000)
PAGE 5 NORTH COAST TIMES E A G L E , SUMMER/FALL 2000 economics that does not depend on continual expansion for survival." Winona LaDuke says it this way: "I believe in looking at where you want to go and recognizing that it is going to take a long time to get there... I consider myself a conservative (not a radical)... Conservative decision-making would be (to), consider the impact of your decision on the seventh generation from now That is conservative decision making, that is where I stand" (Interview Talking About a Revolution, South End Press 1998) 11. Quality of Life "Our overall goal is not merely to survive, but to share lives that are truly worth living... 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 " This direct quote from Green 'Key Values' (which is their platform) indicates that the Green Party is based on a concept of hope, and our human capacity for enacting the Greek concept of metanoia: reorientation of one's way of life, a fundamental shift of mind and spirit. Won't voting for the Green Party candidates be the same as throwing that vote away? No, and here is why (from Pacific Green Party Chair, Xander Patterson, in his article, A Vote That Counts): ~"Only once in the history of the state of Oregon have the few Electoral College votes we are allotted been enough to sway the outcome of a Presidential election... In other words, every vote an Oregonian has ever cast for a Democratic or Republican presidential candidate has been, in practical terms, totally meaningless, thrown away A vote for a Republicrat might have symbolic value, but symbolic of what? Abandonment of the hope that government can serve the people's interests?" ~ A vote for Ralph Nader, though, is a vote that counts. It "sends a clear message to the Democrats that they can't take the progressive vote for granted " ~ Nader "does not have to win the elections to bring a revolution to Oregon and the entire United States. If Ralph can win just 15% of the vote in Oregon, the Pacific Green Party will clear the first and the biggest hurdle to achieving major party status." -Nationally, "If Ralph can win just 5% of the vote he will earn the next Green presidential candidate in 2004 nearly $15 million in FEC funds. The prospect of an unapologetically progressive candidate running a well-funded campaign will loom on America's political horizon for four years. The political center in America will get its biggest jolt to the left we've seen in a generation." 'RIGHT IN THE FACE OF POWER1 Ralph Nader, Green Party Presidential Candidate Howard Zinn, Boston University professor emeritus of Political Science, reminds us just how desirous we are for a 3rd party in America when he said, "By getting almost 20% of the vote, Ross Perot showed that there is a great hunger in the population for a political alternative — in his case, almost any political alternative." (Interview Talking About a Revolution) Jim Hightower, in his newsletter (The Hightower Low- down, vol.2*4 — April. 2000) reminds us that in Ralph Nader we have a truly fine candidate, who is worthy of our trust and support, and our November vote: GREEN POWER 'The earth provides for every man's need but not for every man's greed.' -MOHANDAS GANDHI The key to my campaign for Secretary of State of Oregon is not slogans. It is issues. My view on politics is similar to that of the Native Americans: A person is given power if they are deemed worthy to fulfill the task of leadership; not because they are able to successfully manipulate the people into bestow ing leadership upon them. I think this has been the problem with politics all along. It has become a big business of manipulation, and thus the heart of politics no longer beats with integrity We so desperately want to win against those who use its formula against us that, it almost seems impossible to abandon this Madison Avenue approach we have inherited But how we win is equally, if not more, important. Stopping the process of corporat izing democracy means ending the practice of selling politicians like soap: only one really gets the dirt out. If we don't make this the main focus of election reform, we will continue to lose our way. And so I would like to run a different kind of campaign, and I would like to have your help in doing it I would seek your advice on what it means to be Secretary of State. I would pro mote the integrity of the democratic process over party politics, ours and theirs. I wsuld ensure that the greater meaning of government is the consideration of the welfare of all the people, and that the purpose of elections is to preserve the sovereignty of natural persons I believe we need campaign finance reform which challenges the right of corporations to make any financial contributions and expenditures in candidate and ballot measure elections. I believe we need to preserve, protect, and enhance the legislative powers of the people as provided under our Constitution in the initiative and referendum process I believe we need to promote and protect the right of minor political parties and independents to fairly anticipate in the candidate election process I believe that the Secretary of State is responsible for helping supervise the management of state-owned lands is an obligation of stewardship, as well as an opportunity for setting the example of how we can best protect our life support systems and preserve their sustainability As auditor, the Secretary of State is responsible for examining the financial transactions of all state boards, commis sions and agencies I believe it is important that expenditures made on behalf of the people be prudent cost effective, and environmentally sound As citizens and taxpayers we demand a renewed level of confidence in our government. I believe government is only as good as the degree to which people are willing to become involved. Therefore I ask for your help in making this campaign effort a viable forum for change, addressing those issues which clearly fit within the responsibilities of this office, and ultimately providing a clear direction for the future well being of Oregon -LLOYD R. MARBET DAVID LOW "Among other credible 3rd party candidates who will be actively raising some of (the silent issues), Ralph Nader already is on the hustings talking about all of these and more as he campaigns for the Green Party presidential nomination. Ralph will be a contender — he will have been in all 50 states by June ...he's going to get right in the face of power as only Ralph can do. filling in what's been missing in Campaign 2000" And how's he doing so far? In Oregon, in a statewide poll of 504 likely voters conducted April 10-17. he "emerged as the strongest of the 3rd party candidates," according to an article by Jeff Mapes in the April 24 Oregonian. In the Portland metro area and the Willamette Valley, 8% of the voters picked him as their candidate for President Nationally. Ralph Nader came in third in a three-way presidential race (with 5.7% of the vote of likely voters in the Zogby Poll of 842 voters nationwide, taken April 1-4) Pat Buchanan polled 3.6%. And more than half favored Nader being included in televised debates as the Green Party candidate WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE GREEN PARTY IN OREGON The Oregon Green Party is called the Pacific Green Party. It is a going concern, and gaining momentum and membership quickly. It belongs to the Association of State Green Parties and sent delegates to the national nominating convention. The Pacific Green Party has ballot status in the November election. It is listed on the voter registration form. In its April convention, it nominated well-known (Trojan shutdown) nuclear activist Lloyd Marbet as the Pacific Green Party candidate for Oregon Secretary of State. Running for State Legislature are Chnstina Alexander (Representative, District 47). and Whitney Smith (Senate. District 8). It also endorsed several initiatives, including those which would ensure affordable health care for all Oregon residents, amend the Constitution to abolish the death penalty, restrict the use of leg hold and other body-gripping animal traps, and reform campaign finance I asked some questions of involved Pacific Green Party members Of Xiander Patterson. Chair of the Pacific Green Party Coordinating Committee, I asked this question, printed here wth his response: CD: If you had standing before you someone who let you know they were anxious to vote outside the established two parties, what would you say to convince them that signing up with the Pacific Green Party was the best route to take? Why the Green Party and not one of the other 3rd parties now in existence, or struggling into existence? XP What I like best about the Greens and Ralph Nader is their focus on the corrosive corporate dominance of nearly every institutional feature of modem life No other party in America even touches on that issue directly and it is the bedrock problem lurking beneath almost every other, from universal health care, to a bloated military, to environmental destruction, to the erosion of workers nghts to organize But the real reason I am a Green activist is that there is no real progressive alternative I'm looking for the best, most viable ballot line of the left, and today that is the Green Party Movement Its strengths are that it is global, it has shirked the misguided and politically nonviable tenets and symbols of the old left. and. above all, it has a pretty clear vision for people to rally around In America today, there is no other progressive party, minor or major (In fact) the New Party is also progressive (but) right now it seeks to be little more than a caucus within the Democratic Party and I believe we will never get v/iere we need to go without breaking up the two party system. The Reform Party has no clear vision or platform In short. I work for the Green Party because it is progressive and because it is the wave of the future Margi Shindler and Tom Browison live in Clatsop County and are active at the state level of the Pacific Green Party They would like to start a party chapter here (See More Information7 for ways to contact them ) In answer to my questions, they responded CD What news or agenda items seemed most important to you at the Pacific Green Party Conference (held April 15-16)? MS: The chance to meet with other active Greens throughout the state, and find out vtfiat community projects as well as political activities are going on The idea of a Green Party is to create sustainable living on a grassroots level, as well as network with larger central political structures (The endorsing of) several ballot initiatives and two candidates Persons interested in watching alternative, exciting, intelligent and meaningful group process would find the Pacific Green Party conventions a rare treat I do! TB: In addition to Margi's answer I would say that the decision making process is important to me. The conventions have been run using a variation of the consensus process. It has been heartening to watch the effort the group makes in getting this to work smoothly without giving up before it shows its real worth. As a result, members who participate in the decisions can walk away owning a piece and knowing their concerns have been heard CD: Why did you become active in the Pacific Green Party? MS: 'The high level of intelligence, the activism, and the amazing platform which is more comprehensive than any I've ever seen. It was like fresh air to be around people with high ideals...(and a) fierce desire toward positive social, economic and political change. TB: I'm always looking for a viable alternative to the current two party system. It's hard for me to join any group and yet I have found the direction and intention of the Greens to be more inclusive and tolerant of personal freedoms and beliefs. There is a lot of room if I'm looking for a pile of positive changes and a great opportunity to be involved from local issues to international concerns. How Can I Make Such a Leap of Faith & Support a New, Progressive Party? Harvard University supports The Joan Shrorenstein Center (accessible on this topic at www vanishingvoter.org) which, among other things, takes the pulse of the American electorate. One of the surveys asked this question: "Which presidential candidate do you support at this time, or haven't you picked a candidate yet?" According to the results, 'The landslide winner with 59% was No candidate yet The survey results are dated May 20. 2000. In a March survey, "71% of Americans agree vwth the statement Politics in America is generally pretty disgusting." There is plenty of room out there for a change Gandhi said it this way: 'There is no love where there is no will.” Carolyn Dunn lives in Astoria She is a writer and poet whose work has appeared in many places, including the Times Eagle She wrote an earlier article on the Green Party for the Jan/1990 NCTE MORE INFORMATION? TRY THESE: Clatsop County No Pacific Green Party Chapter, yet. in the county Tom Brownson and Margi Shindler (active on state level) are glad to answer any questions, and, hopefully, get a Chapter started in Clatsop County Oregon Pacific Green Party, 33 State Street, Salem, 97103 (503) 378-7812 in Salem. (503) 238-1856 in Portland Website: pacificgreens.org Pacific Party Campaign Headquarters, 111 SW Naito Parkway. Portland 97204 (503) 223-1399 Website: pacificparty org National Association of State Green Parties (303) 554-1575 Website greenparties.org Ralph Nader 2000 Committee, P.O Box 18002, Washington, D C 20036 (202) 265-4000 (phone) (202) 265-0813 (fax) Website votenader org Voter Registration Forms Want to become a registered Pacific Green Party member? Do it by obtaining a voter registration form at any of these places -U.S Post Office -Most libraries (publicly funded) -The Pacific Green Party website (can download regis tration form): www pacificgreens org The Pacific Greens are listed on the voter register form. Check the box, sign the form and send it in — you're Green! Book Thinking Green' by Petra Kelly (Forward by Peter Matthiessen), Parallax Press Berkeley, California (1994).
