The two-party system in the United States has failed us all. Many Americans feel weary and fatigued by our ineffective political system. Both Republicans and Democrats are on a race to the bottom, leading our country into a sequester, a government shutdown, severe budget cuts that affect our most vulnerable citizens and a host of other egregious circumstances. The Tea Party will not save us nor will Blue Dog Democrats — these factions are more concerned with pleasing corporations than their own constituents.
Our country is clearly in crisis, but we know that a better tomorrow lies ahead. We are a group of young Americans who believe that the solution to our country’s myriad problems is Green — the Green Party that is. The Young Greens of the United States believe the Green Party is the best bet for our generation’s future. The Green Party supports truly progressive ideas that are important to us including, but not limited to:
Basic human rights and equal access to justice for all, including marginalized groups such as people of color, women, the LGBTIQ community and undocumented people;
*A single-payer healthcare system (Medicare for all);
*A strong social safety net to protect our elderly, disabled, unemployed and underemployed;
*An end to the so-called “Global War on Terror”;
*An end to unrestricted corporate donations in politics, giving us free and fair elections;
*A clean, green future with renewable energy and strong environmental protections including rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline and unconditional GMO labeling;
*Workers’ rights including raising the minimum wage to a living wage, the right to organize in the workplace, fair trade and guaranteed public jobs for people who cannot find work in the private sector; and, –
*Comprehensive reform of the many broken systems in our country (prison reform, welfare reform, education reform, immigration reform… the list goes on).
The Green Party stands out as one of the most prominent progressive political parties in the United States. Nationwide, the Green Party recently ran more than 100 candidates during the 2013 election season. Many Greens currently hold elected office right now — imagine, though, a country with masses of Greens in government.
Envision more mayors like Richmond, Calif. Mayor Gayle McLaughlin with activist agendas who prioritize the needs of everyday folks over corporations, like implementing eminent domain to help keep people in their homes. As Greens, we do not confine ourselves to electoral politics but support direct actions as well, as evidenced in our party’s support of grassroots movements such as Occupy and Idle No More. Imagine these kinds of efforts not only on a city level, but on the state and national levels as well. We are open-minded when it comes to solutions, but we also have our principles.
Why not become a member of the party that ran the most successful female presidential candidate ever in the United States? Dr. Jill Stein is a concerned and more than capable leader who is passionate about ending this country’s “government by extortion.” An unapologetic advocate of civil disobedience, she has been arrested three times for standing up for her beliefs.
Recently, Stein showed that Greens are more than willing to reach across party lines by endorsing the city council campaigns of Kshama Sawant in Seattle and Ty Moore in Minneapolis, both members of the Socialist Alternative. These candidates value the same social justice issues as the Green Party. Unlike the strict partisanship which commands the Democrats and Republicans, the Greens work in the name of progressive causes, not just a party label.
The American public is in desperate need of a political alternative — and we believe that alternative is Green. If you are fed up with or feel alienated by our stale political system, abstaining from the vote is not the only option. Do not settle for endorsing the status quo: Join the Green Party where your vote counts and every voice is heeded and heard.
Contacts:
Evan Lyne, [email protected]
Denechia Powell, [email protected]
Kris Smoot, [email protected]