When pressed, most people probably have no clue what the Green Party is. That’s okay; before I started writing this column I pretty much had no clue either.
One of the questions asked to prospective columnists is to describe your political views. Like 50 percent of voters in my generation (roughly defined by pointy-headed professor types as young adults 18-29), I considered myself to be independent‚ beholden to no established political parties and answering only as my conscience dictates.
So what was I supposed to do? Declare myself a Marxist-Leninist for maximum gimmick value? While many people are brought up in traditional party politics groupthink, I was the opposite.
I was a man with strong opinions searching for a party. After a bit of Googling, it appeared I had a match.
The Green Party probably represents the best third way alternative to both entrenched political parties which dominate the American political scene.
The principles of the National Greens are based on its Ten Key Values. They include, among other things, a commitment towards true grassroots democracy, social justice, equal opportunity, as well as a healthy serving of environmentally friendly and sustainable philosophies.
These are all tenets which appeal to my vaguely hippie-ish, low-emissions-vehicle-driving-beliefs. And all of this is wrapped up in a coherent, palatable package that doesn’t include violent rhetoric about the overthrow of the capitalist classes and socialism.
In addition, the Green Party pledges not to accept donations from corporations. This is a refreshing promise given a political landscape overflowing with corporate donations and sleaze from both mainstream parties.
Both the Democrats and Republicans cynically “discuss” their solutions to help out the little guy every election while eagerly accepting hot and tasty corporate campaign money behind our backs.
For example, consider that 84 out of the 97 representatives on both aisles that lobbied for the recent NBC-Comcast merger took money from Comcast, with payouts ranging from $1,000 to $25,100.
Although I can’t prove that the representatives decided to support Comcast based on these donations, it certainly appears corrupt.
It’s like Cam Newton signing with Auburn after his dad admitted to shopping him around. Sure, there’s no smoking gun linking him to a pay-to-play arrangement, but it sure looks like someone got a wheelbarrow of cash out of it.
In 2008, I took to the streets of Columbus, Ohio with thousands of others from around the country to secure that battleground state for the Harbinger of Hope.
I had the honor of seeing Obama stump not once, but twice in person. Since then, I’ve felt disillusioned that this generation’s FDR was turning out to be Clinton Redux: bold solutions to renew America discarded in lieu of corporatist measures to strengthen big business at the expense of the American people.
That socialist takeover of healthcare? It’s almost the same thing as the Republican counter-plan to Hillarycare circa 1994. The Democrats cave on Bush-era tax cuts was unforgiveable as well.
Because the Democratic Party stays in power for the sake of power itself, I’m down with the Green Party. And you should be too.