Future Focus (Open Thread)
First, Green Party Watch apologizes for the lack of posts following the election. It is not due to post-election slow down, it has been due to personal lives catching up. I had to go to a conference the day after the election and I just got home. I had little time to process results during that time, and little time to look forward.
Looking forward however is exactly what the Green Party is (and should be) doing though, although there are still many people looking backward on the election.
A few thoughts (of which only a few are my own):
- Can we look back at the 2008 elections constructively without casting blame, pointing fingers, or complaining? What can we identify as major challenges that we faced, and what are the solutions to overcome them in the future?
- Where did we exceed expectations?
- What impact did the 2008 race(s) have on ballot access, and what can the Green Party do to retain or expand ballot access?
- Should the Green Party pressure the “first 100 days” of the Obama administration? How? Will it matter if we do? How will (or should) the Green Party position ourselves in the shadow of the Democrat’s Government and the Republican Party’s decline?
- Should emphasis shift from national to local in terms of Green Party organizing and activism? Is there a “bio-regional” solution between the two that could benefit the Greens? Can a better network of support be built regionally (New England, Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, Middle America, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Coast) that would be better positioned to strengthen local and state party organizing and activism?
This is an open thread meant to encourage discussion in the comments. There has been a lot of discussion in the comments this last week that I think is healthy dialog (mostly) and I think that this is an ideal format for hashing out differences and hatching new ideas.
I have an un-related question. There was this week about this website that I wanted to get some feedback on. I am sensitive to criticism and take it seriously when I think it is warranted. It went:
Green Party Watch was thrown together hastily last May by a handful of “green bloggers” that wanted to increase online media about the Green Party and GP candidates.
The flash banner was a donation from a good friend of mine who does both web animation and classical cartoons and got me to vote Nader way back in 2000.
Should we “upgrade” to a more “traditional” or “journalistic” banner? Are we too “unprofessional”? Does having cartoons or a “lighter perspective” distract from the content here?
I’m just curious what others think. I’m open to site improvement, when we get the time.
On the note of the site layout,
I think it could be more clean and professional. For the purpose of people looking for news who don’t know much about the Greens, and skeptics who look for excuses to discredit what gets posted here. The layout overall is a little overwhelming and cluttery, maybe some of the margin stuff could be put on a page that links from here that has links and widgets and what not.
I will also have some general GP dialogue for this open thread.
We can and should talk about the future. But first let’s talk about the big news right now – Malik Rahim’s election to US Congress in LA-2 has been postponed to December 6th, giving us less than a month to help a great Green leader who is running against the incredibly corrupt William Jefferson.
Malik Rahim is the founder of Common Ground, which organized volunteers to provide basic services to thousands of New Orleans residents after Hurricane Katrina. If you were in Chicago for the Green Party Convention, you may remember his stirring keynote address – I certainly do. The Repub in the race has no chance; it’s either Rahim or Jefferson. To see his website, go to http://votemalik.com/
We are organizing on Green Change to help Malik: http://network.greenchange.org/groups/malikrahim
How you can help Malik NOW:
1. Go to New Orleans
2. Donate at http://votemalik.com/contribute/
3. Tell friends, family and colleagues
4. Blog about Malik
5. Make a video
Getting rid of the frog would be my first step. The sunflower should be added, not as a focal point but a background element. We could probably add the “Join The Revolution” link somewhere also. Another feature I would like to see would be a section that focused on the various stages that all the state level Green parties are at. Maybe if we had a visible gauge of where everyone was, we could help out those states still struggling with getting the word out or various other organizational issues. More to come…
Thanks, Ron for the thoughtful reflection. Interested in hearing what people think.
My perspective, is that in the big picture, all human beings ever have to do to improve, really, is to look at: how could I have been more loving? how could I have supported other people more? how could I have trusted and connected with more people? (And, alternatively, how could I have stayed away from, calmly worked around, or made peace with the people who hurt or sabotage my work.) I think in a lot of ways, those are the giant questions about how to evolve. And, how to build better teams and better campaigns.
If you guys need forgiveness for the slow down at election time – here is some forgiveness. You have done so much good work, it is clear you have given of yourself and do a lot. And, since you had all the links in place and had opened up a community of resources and connections, you didn’t let people down at all. People could find your site and move around to other places.
I like the bioregionalism idea. But, could we think about that in about 29 days?
The election for Congress in New Orleans is Tuesday, December 6th. And, the Green Party has a great candidate in the race – Malik Rahim (as you have noted here.) If all the momentum and energy of the national Green Party campaign (and maybe the Cindy Sheehan for Congress campaign) could be directed to one place – to Louisiana – I think we might be able to get someone in Congress.
So, I love the idea of bio-regionalism and also building locally. But, the serendipity of having one high-profile green running at one time, a month after the regular election cycle, seems too good to ignore.
And, someone from Louisiana said that the attention is working and donations are up for the campaign already. Malik’s web-site is http://www.votemalik.com. Malik is a former member of the Black Panther Party. Malik was one of the founders of Common Ground Collective, a grassroots effort that jumped in to help Hurricane Katrina victims when the government would not do it. Malik would be a great Congressperson.
Someone had said somewhere that on average it costs about a million dollars to win a Congressional race. That part usually seems impossible for a Green. Though, I feel like if the whole nation of greens, a few people in the peace movement, and a few people who see helping Malik as supporting and thanking him for his work after Katrina, I think we could even raise a million dollars.
I have nothing better to do electorally right now. Malik’s campaign is where my energy is going. All the way from Long Island, New York, to Louisiana. Because, if Greens around the country can gracefully move where the action is, maybe we could put a monkeywrench–in the form of a Green Party peace-maker–into the halls of Congress.
Cindy Sheehan got 17% against the Speaker of the House. Maybe we can build on that and win a five-way race, where the incumbent is a Democrat facing charges of corruption.
There is hope to elect Malik Rahim to Congress. And, imagine how proud we would all be at the inauguration ceremony?
I agree with Kimberly. We need to fire up the campaigning squad and get Malik into office. There is a buzz in the ears of the Pacific Green Party of Oregon members through the GreenChange.org website. I’ll check to see if Care2 has anything substantial (highly unlikely since it’s 80-90% Democrat). Let’s do this!
Also, his website is quite impressive, you think he’d mind if we… ;)
While I find the current banner amusing, I think the GP blog should have a contemporary look. It should be something that reflects the GP values and vision; be very colorful and a bit more “artsy” than the run-of-the-mill politcal blogs. The sunflower should be there somewhere. Thaty’s my feeling about that. Vince Kruse, Phoenix AZ.
I can tell you this. Having a candidate like McKinney definitely got my attention and made me get out to vote. Charismatic candidate will be the future of this movement and people like Ralph Nader, who has a wonderful message but the excitement of drying paint, cannot get the message across effectively. On the national level, the main goal should be focusing on equal representation in media and debate formats. Somehow we have to find a way to do as H.Ross Perot did and capture the curiosity of the American SHEEPLE.
Locally, we all need to put our activism on the local campaign. It wouldn’t surprise me if the vast majority of green party supporters made better elected officials than those currently there. Not only should we live Green in our local communities, but we should participate Green in our local policy making. Think of the grassroots movement we could have if it started from every community with elected officials in city and county seats. Next thing you know you could have state seats and then congressional seats, then your presidential bid would have strength. If people saw the good work done by greens on the local level, then maybe they would give a green a shot at the big prize.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Josh (trying to figure out how to run for local office)
I want to talk about the bioregional idea. What exactly is meant tby bioregional in terms of our political organiziang?
I’m active in the Maricopa County and Arizona GP, and a new member of the Lavender Greens. Our people here are few in numbers, but strong in heart and mind; living in a conservative state where most voters are party-line voters and where the folks who write the rules want us excluded, as in other states. It was a struggle for our Green party to get on the Arizona ballot this year, taking excruciating effort. Now we’re again thrown off the ballot and are back to where we were some years ago when the AZGP was formed.
If I said I wasn’t discouraged I’d be a liar. But I’m too stubborn not to press on with struggling for the things I believe in – the Four Pilars and TKV of the Greens are what I’ve been looking for in a political party all my adult life.
I agree with you Ronal that we don’t need to go a-blaming and accusing. Here as in other places our Green candidatess ( we had five statewide) fought the campaign bravely, cleanly, honestly, and openly against huge odds, lack of organiziational support, minimal party name recognition and identification, and the tide of youth voters captivated by Obama’s style. And there’s no reason to believe that the election rulemakers will change the rules in any significant way. This isn’t Sweden. Or even Canada. We’re still stuck with burdensome signature-gathering (outdated 18th century nonsense) and the first-past-the-post system, a hostile or indifferent MSM, and two parties who think they’ve got a right to a political duopoly.
We now need an infusion of ideas and above all, the best damned strategy we can think up and implement. If a bioregional strategy for party-building is the way to go, I’m open to it.
So how would we Greens in AZ contribute to a bioregional GP? To helping GP organizing throughout the Southwest? How would state and local GP activists interact and to ehat effect?
-Vincent Kruse
A lot of ideas will come out of this discussion but we have to remember how the Green Party turns ideas into action, and help build that structure. People can take action (by producing videos, websites, petitions, materials, new members, forums, locals, etc) either by themselves or within groups. One person doing something can’t change the world, but when they get together with others they can and do. The Green Party has established a number of committees that do the work of the party. You can see and read about them at http://www.gp.org/committees/. Now, “committee” has a bad connotation because people believe that when you want to delay action, you send the plan to committee. Sometimes, that is true. But we have the ability to make GPUS committees into whatever we want, including catalysts for action. If we need to raise money, that’s what the Fundraising Committee is for. If we need to manage our money better, that’s what the Finance Committee is for. If we need to reach out, that what the Outreach Committee is for. And so on. If you have a suggestion about what the Green Party needs to focus on, awesome. But don’t count on the party leadership seeing it on this blog and jumping to put your ideas into action. Those people are leaders because they have their own ideas, and will implement their ideas unless you convince them that your ideas should be implemented too. Please join the appropriate committee and advocate for your ideas. I’ve done it before and can testify that it works. Finding a way to coordinate with other Greens and gather resources to put your ideas into action is the only thing that will work.
Yes! Please join those committees. Every committee has different rules, and most you need the vote/nomination of your state (or to get on as a consultant.) If you have trouble finding stuff out or getting on at first, seek out info, seek out supporters, or contact me. It can be a maze. (I have long proposed that we have a GP-US Committee Liaison to help folks get involved.)
Also, there is a committee where you do not need to be “voted on” or “selected.” You just get verified as a green and climb on board. That is the Diversity Committee. Diversity meaning of all kinds – LGBT, people of color, women, people with disabilities, etc. (And, a few people allowed on with no diversity, just to help us all out.)
If you want to join the Diversity Committee, you can start by sending an e-mail to: gpusdiversity-subscribe@yahoogroups.com The Diversity Committee is a great way to dive into the national scene, even if your state is slow at approving people, or there seem to be too many people for you to find yourself as one of the three reps on a national committee. Come, join!
The months of November and December of any even-numbered year are the PRIME months to ask state legislators to introduce bills to improve ballot access (and to introduce bills on any subject). If people wait, the legislators will say, “Sorry; I can only introduce XX number of bills and I’ve already got my quota.” We are in a window of opportunity that only opens once every two years. Greens in Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma especially need to be active NOW and in December.
Diversity Committee? Coming from a person who is usually satisfies someone’s quota of diversity, that sounds pretty sad. I am interested in the “regular” committees, but I don’t know about getting voted in. Being a younger person without a large GP background, I don’t see myself getting elected. Sounds like a lot of red tape. I want to get started now, and as a young person my energy comes strong and gets diverted if I reach bureaucratic barriers, especially from a progressive organization. I am looking to use my local chapter and if the national GP is ready for younger energy, I will see about getting involved at that level, not to satisfy some diversity statement.
Honestly, I hoped to come to this post with some suggestions today, but that committee stuff really threw me off, Ill return later with some actions suggestions.
peace.
Well, maybe it is sad to have a Diversity Committee. But, I see it as powerful.
As you said about bureaucracies, sometimes they can be stifling. And the way the national party is organized “people” do not belong. Only “states” belong. So, to get on a committee you usually have to get elected/nominated by your state.
Part of the purpose of the Diversity Committee is that anyone who takes the time to “sign up” or “enroll” green (depending on what their state allows) can join this national committee and get networked with greens around the country right away. So, it was meant as a fast-track.
It also has the potential to become very influential. Because, the idea is that it is OF diversity, and the people who make it who are OF diversity, get to comment and shape the regular party.
But, there’s more than one way to get something done. Creative projects and locals can be very powerful organizing tools, too.
Committees are not necessarily “bureaucratic barriers”. Ask yourself what that means before you write off coming together with other Greens who have chosen to focus on a common goal and want to find a way to gather resources and take action with others from across the country. That’s what a committee is.
Most of the GPUS committees are desperate for volunteers, so don’t worry about getting “voted” in. You can also work informally with committees without becoming a member if you don’t want to deal with that. But you really shouldn’t be afraid of having to convince a group of people that you have good ideas – that’s what politics is all about.
I live in Louisiana and I’m hoping we can really build Malik Rahim up as the face of our state party. I am hoping that he is able to pull an upset win against Jefferson, but if not I would like to see him take on Senator David Vitter in 2010.
Also, I have contacted Independent State Representative Michael Jackson about joining the Green Party, don’t know if anything will come of it. If Jackson comes on board he could make a run for office in 2010 or 2011.
I am interested in recruiting younger people to the Green Party, college aged and the 25-35 group. I think they bring alot of technological skills and new age organizing, but can also benifit from teh experience of current members.
I am also interested in getting together to produce more media and materials about the green party. Intro videos, In depth videos that people can find online via our websites (local and national) and watch to learn about green movements.
Also I want to see us create some long term plans for aspects of the party (recruitment, basebuilding, member education, local activism, and…campaigns) Not just thinking about elections and resting inbetween, this has not pushed us forward in growing, but the base work will grow us.
I think we need to work together more, because at my local level, people are seeming very tired out and not open to trying new things. I am suggesting some larger regional efforts to revamp the party, share ideas and resources and set some goals.
I would like to see us connect the campus greens movement where they are functioning with the local chapters and national party.
Lots of ideas like many of you. Who is ready to do some things, and divert energy of talking into action?
email me joetruss@gmail.com
“Can we look back at the 2008 elections constructively without casting blame, pointing fingers, or complaining? ”
Lame. The Greens never want to hold people within their own ranks accountable because they are more concerned with being “nice” and “friendly”.
Don’t feed the troll, friends. The last thing we need now is to become a circular firing squad, and I applaud Ron Hardy for realizing that.
Since this is the constructive criticism thread I’m hoping maybe I’ll get a better dialogue (however short) by posting my question about the election here. I said elsewhere that I at least (and I thought a few others who posted also) were a bit disappointed in our presidential election performance. At a minimum, I thought we’d at least finish 5th (ahead of Rev Baldwin and the Constitutionalists). My question is basically why didn’t we do at least this well? What can we as a party learn from this for future races at the national level and/or for US House and Senate races? I know the dynamics are different between congressional and presidential elections or the presidency, and also different from state and local level offices. I’m also aware that we still have the 2nd congressional district in louisianna to work on over the next 2.5 weeks. But I’m curious what we can learn from where we didn’t do so well this year and what can possibly do better. Thanks
Oh and yes a diversity committee or some comparable institution sounds like a great idea. How long has it been around (or is this new)? This seems at least to me to be a key way to help grow the party and deepen our agenda, and grassroots democracy so to speak. Is this committee working on the Rahim race at all? Good god, you’re right could you imagine if he did do close to that well? He’d be the first non-democratic member of the progressive caucus since senator sanders.
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