Response to a fellow Green

My friend and fellow Green James O'Keefe recently posted a letter from Jeremy Cannon, explaining why he was voting green in this election. This is a passionate and well written letter. My response is as follows:

I have a couple of issues with this letter, well written and earnestly offered as it is.

First, as one of many people who volunteered for Ralph Nader in 2000 and worked as a staffer on the campaigns of 3 Greens running for state office,I understand how Jeremy feels. I agree that Democrats, even liberal ones, fall far short of our ideals.

However, I have to say that any similarities between McCain and Obama are superficial at best. I've heard this refrain before. It was wrong in 2000, and it's wrong now. If you think there is no difference between McCain and Obama, the Democrats and Republicans, you're simply not seeing the world as it is. Democrats are not as progressive as Greens, but they are very different from republicans.

As for your comment:
"I, no longer, have to wonder what will happen to the poor family that can't afford healthcare, the working mom that just can't make enough money, the gay couple ready to tie the knot, the brother in Iraq, the children who need to learn, the conversations I have in private, the planet I love to live on, the money I spend, the people I vote for, and the unchecked corporate fat cats that have squandered our future for their own gain."

I assure you, if you truly care about these issues, and I believe you do, John McCain's presence in the White House will be disastrous, far more than an Obama presidency. You DO have to worry about these issues. Voting Green doesn't give you a free pass. Until we Greens can build upon our successes at the local and to a lesser extent state level, we won't be able to be effective players on the National scene. Voting for someone who can't win may seem like a principled act, I know from experience that it certainly feels that way. But, in an election that is this important,that will likely be decided by razor thin margins and be marred by voting irregularities , every vote can make a difference.

Jeremy, I share your passion for Green politics and values.I understand how you feel. Many Greens I know are deeply conflicted about this election. I urge you to consider your choices carefully. I hope on November 5th we can talk about these issues without a Republican victory hanging over our heads.

Posted by: Tennis Lilly

Vote your hopes, not your fears on Tuesday

Shockingly, the (Lawrence) Eagle Tribune has endorsed John McCain, for President, citing the very real threat of terrorism and an increasingly hostile global village that the United States inhabits. The Eagle Tribune editorial states that the first role of a President is that of Commander-in Chief, a role that John McCain does appear to be uniquely well suited for. Eagle Tribune columnist Taylor Armerding in a similarly surprising twist, admonishes voters to vote against Obama to defend against the imposition of socialism on the rugged individuals who, while being less than 10 percent of the citizenry, apparently are the only ones who mater in the mythological laissez-faire libertarian paradise that Mr. Armerding believes once existed in America.

The choices in this election are stark despite what my Green Party brethren insist are the core similarities between Democrats and Republicans. While I do not regret campaigning for Ralph Nader in 2000 (nor do I accept blame for Al Gore’s defeat), We progressives could not have been more wrong about the real differences between Bush and Gore in 2000. I hope Greens and progressives will not be so blind to these contrasts on Tuesday. None of the issues Greens are concerned with will be well served by a protest vote, especially one that, if you are in New Hampshire or another swing state, may well help John McCain.

Voting for McCain/Palin will mean years of military overspending and no clear end to the War in Iraq, while Al-Qaeda, our mortal enemy, roams free in Afghanistan. With at least 2 likely openings on the U. S. Supreme court, far more than a woman’s right to reproductive freedom is at stake. Everything from Labor rights (the few we have left) to the governments regulatory authority over food and drugs, workplace safety, the environment and the financial industries will be threatened. With the very real chance that John McCain may succumb to any number of health problems during his first term, the very idea of a Sarah Palin presidency should frighten any truly patriotic citizen. Should Sarah Palin with her extreme right wing beliefs assume the presidency, she would likely be used as a stalking horse by the far right to advance a neo-conservative ideology that boarders on fascism.

John McCain is an honorable man who has served our nation with incredible bravery and honor. No one can doubt his patriotism and his good intent. Unfortunately John McCain simply is not the man to be our next president.

Barack Obama is that man and his platform of change is desperately needed in America. If you are concerned about the environment, access to health care for all citizens, reproductive choice, social justice, education reform, meaningful economic opportunity, ending the senseless war in Iraq and restoring America’s greatness and leadership on the global stage, Barack Obama deserves your vote. America needs your vote for Barack.

The Eagle Tribune is wrong on an important point; the most important job of the president is to lead. The greatest need this country has is to rebuild its civic culture, to reclaim our role as the greatest democracy. We need to grow what Ralph Nader called a “deep, deliberative democracy” yet again. America’s greatest challenges come not from an enemy outside out boarders. but our own complacency and atrophied civic institutions. We need to create a 21st century “New Deal” liberalism and restore genuine prosperity to ALL Americans, not just the top 10 percent that Taylor Armerding seems so concerned with.

I hope you will join me, Michelle and my daughter Desiree (voting in her first election) in supporting Barack Obama on Tuesday.

P. S. Please….vote NO on Question 1 and YES on Questions 2 & 3.