Sue et al, I absolutely agree with you. But, to keep this Minneapolis specific, I'll change the tone a little bit. The Minneapolis DFL members have been circulating emails charging not only that a vote for the Greens is a vote for the Republicans (anyone who has taken a logic class will recognize that statement makes NO sense) but also that the Green Party itself has as its explicit goal the destruction of the DFL party.
Now, I am a new Green Party member. Actually, I'm the first member of my family in about a hundred years to step away from the Democrats, but I've encountered no nefarious plans that allude to the destruction of the Democratic Party to pave the way for the real progressives. Actually, I've found the Green Party, over the last several years, the party most willing to work with progressive individuals regardless of party label. Do I believe the Green Party made a mistake in endorsing Ed McGaa for Senate, yes I do. But, what needs to be recongnized was that many Greens opposed the endorsement of a Green Senate candidate. And, further, I opposed the endorsement of Ed McGaa because he has no experience to qualify him for the office. I will be voting for Senator Wellstone. Further, the Green Party is a more viable political alternative than the Independence Party because, frankly, we have local elected officials across the nation. Without a single charismatic figurehead, the Independence Party will fall away. The Green Party, as exemplified in Minneapolis, is a grass roots party that enjoys popular support. The proof? Natalie Johnson Lee and Dean Zimmerman. I will be voting for Ken Pentel, but I believe it will be difficult for Ken to win. It will be difficult for him to win largely because the Green Party is new in Minnesota and does not have the critical statewide numbers necessary to elect a statewide candidate. Of course, we could have picked a celeb candidate, perhaps we should have asked Prince to run for Governor under the Green Party banner. He would have probably won, but it would have been a Venture-style win rather than a deserved win. The Green Party in Minneapolis is undeniably a force. It is a party that represents progressive principles and politics. It is the party that supports the inherent and unqualified worth of people of color, women, young people, old people, queers, environmentalists, etc. The Green Party is what the Democratic Party should be. The Republican Party, at least nationally, is clear about their agenda and their biases. The Green Party is also clear about its biases. The Democratic Party is unclear (words versus actions). The Minneapolis DFL is afraid of the Green Party because the Green Party is what the DFL party appears to be. -Brandon Lacy Campos -Powderhorn Park -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of sue Sent: Monday, July 01, 2002 10:47 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] re: political candidates at gay pride It seems to have been forgotten that there was also another gubernatorial candidate at Gay Pride--Ken Pentel from the Green Party. Sadly, he is not seen as a viable candidate. From all I've heard/seen in the news, or heard from others, is that we only have three parties running. Does that mean the Greens are going to continue to be shut out? I happened to talk with Roger Moe at Pride, and told him I was seriously considering voting for Ken (which I still am). Basically he told me was that a vote for the Greens was a vote for the Republican Party, which I believe is utter nonsense. No one deserves my vote just because this "other" party has a chance of getting into office. I say open up the debates to all the parties, and let people see all the choices out there for governor. I believe this will be the true test of who is the most qualified to govern our state. Sue Ahachich Ward 3 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
