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Frequently
Asked Questions and Answers
What
is the Green Party?
The Green Party is a grass-roots political party dedicated to building
a just and sustainable society and a democracy of empowered citizens.
Are
you an environmental group?
No. The Green Party is an alternative to a corporately controlled two-party
system. We run candidates for political offices. Between election cycles,
we work for fair and sustainable social, economic and environmental policies.
What
issues does the Green Party support?
The Green Party supports issues consistent with our Ten
Key Values, which are social justice, community-based economics, nonviolence,
decentralization, future focus and sustainability, feminism, personal
and global responsibility, respect for diversity, grassroots democracy
and ecological wisdom. A short list of issues might include health care
for all, a living wage, clean air and energy, and an end to child poverty.
Does your issue fit one of the Ten Key Values? Chances are you'll find
Green supporters.
Is
the Green Party liberal or conservative?
It depends. "Liberal" and "conservative" are often
just labels that politicians use to avoid taking real stands. Is universal
health care a "liberal" objective? Fine. Is not using tax dollars
to subsidize large corporations part of a "conservative" agenda?
So be it. Some Greens like to be called "progressive," but the
truth is that labels are less important than the day-to-day work that
Greens do.
Aren't
Greens just "spoilers"? Won't they hurt "real" candidates?
Addressing real issues with real solutions is what makes a candidate real.
It's true that a Green candidate may take votes from a less qualified
Democrat or Republican, just as a good restaurant will take customers
from a bad one. Does that mean we tell good restaurants to close up shop
because they're "spoilers"? "Spoiling" reflects a
flaw in our electoral system (see next question about how to fix it),
not a mistake by candidates giving voters an alternative.
Didn't
Greens cost Al Gore the election?
As one of 101 factors, perhaps. What Election 2000 demonstrated is that
the United States needs serious electoral reform. The Green Party supports
voting reforms such as one called Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). IRV allows
voters to rank candidates in the order of their preference. If your first
choice (e.g. Ralph Nader) receives the fewest votes, your vote is transferred
to your next choice (e.g. Gore) until a winner emerges with an absolute
majority. IRV lets all voters vote their conscience without possibly helping
a candidate they dislike. It also saves tax money by preventing the need
for separate runoff elections.
What
is the Green Party position on…
Campaign
finance reform? Greens support publicly funded elections to eliminate
control of our government by wealthy individuals and corporations.
Health
care? Greens support a single-payer system that provides care to all
Americans.
Drugs?
Greens support the decriminalization of addiction. Money wasted on
a losing drug war would be better spent on education and rehabilitation.
Labor?
Greens support strong worker protections and a living wage of at least
$10/hr to ensure that families can afford food and housing.
Military?
Greens believe a strong defense begins with a lean military. The current
military budget is bloated and unrealistic (e.g. Star Wars), designed
around Cold War threats and corporate profits rather than current defense
needs.
Who
are the Green Party's candidates in Texas?
In 2000, Texas Greens ran for the U.S. Senate, the Texas Supreme Court
and two seats on the Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and
gas industry. Their vote totals (up to 9.7%) guaranteed Green candidates
a place on the 2002 ballot. The Harris County Green Party supported Ada
Edwards for Houston City Council in November 2001, and with that help,
she won the seat for District D and held it for the maximum legal three
terms. Green Party of Texas again achieved ballot access in 2010, and
kept it when Ed Lindsay got more than 7% of the vote for statewide office
Comptroller, so the Green Party of Texas will be on the ballot in 2012,
giving you a chance to run on a ticket of the people, by the people, for
the people.
How
can I join the Green Party?
Anyone who agrees with the Ten Key Values is welcome as a member of the
Green Party. There are no dues or fees, and in Harris County after attending
two general meetings, you
will have voting privileges in party decisions. If you'd like to get started
now, you can learn more about our various work
groups and sign up to participate.
Where
can I get more information on the Greens?
You can visit us on the Web at www.harriscountygreenparty.org where you'll
find a wealth of information and tons of helpful
links to learn more about other green organizations around the world.
Visit our contact us page for e-mail addresses,
phone number, and mailing address. Come to our general
meetings, open to all, on the third Monday of every month at Leisure
Learning Unlimited, 6th floor, 2990 Richmond, Houston, Texas.
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