The result of the 2000 election left many people, especially progressives, wondering what the Green Party was up to. No doubt, a Bush presidency is something scary for many, but the Green Party understands that, in a fully-functioning democratic system, the interests he represents should not be able to get close to power so easily without serious questions or debate. While a democratic structure is in place, much (if not most) power emanates from from without the structure, and demonstrates a continuing disdain, really, for a true system of checks and balances, fairness and representation.
Aquiescent Democrats, however, by becoming beholden to the very same big-money interests as their supposed rivals, have basically paid lip service to democratic aspirations of American citizens, always well-entertained and often comfortable, but rarely seen on the political scene with any wieght or reliable information.
As we step out into new arenas of world activity and action against outside enemies of democracy, we should well remember how in the first US election of the new millenium, the third-ranking candidate for the Presidency (OUR candidate, Ralph Nader) was escorted by the police (!!) away from the observing room (for which he had a ticket) at the Boston Debate.
This should have been shocking. It was a serious breach of democratic spirit, practice and promise. It should have been an eye-opening warning that ALL debate shall be limited. In Mexico, where the same party ruled for over 70 years, they had six candidates in the televised debates in 2000.
All this was before the now well-known "election" results in Florida and in Washington. It would be hard to emagine such a scenario ocurring in another country without a cry of outrage. It is indeed time for citizens to be alert, and to understand why it is necessary to begin the long and trying journey away from the brink of planetary and social degradation that our current leadership reletlessly pusues (albeit at differring speeds).
Times are indeed tough. and the current "unity" is focused around very basic issues of security and survival. If we could develop such a unity also around nurturing and empowering activities such as working for a Living (not poverty) Wage, universal access to good health care, an end to homelessness, an end to discrimination, protection (not window-dressing) for our envirnment and our health, then we could begin to count the fruits of a democratic re-encounter. The Green Party is one of the forces pushing in that direction. A future with hope, peace, decency respect, and, yes, real security.
- Alan Kobrin
