RE: [pf] [GreenParty2001] The New Greens

by Bill Ellis

06 December 2000 23:28 UTC

Much has been happening since I took a month off after the election.
As I skim through the piles of e-mails and suggestion for the New Greens a
number of concepts emerge that should not be forgotten.  I hope I cn
summarize some of them.

1) THE NEW GREENS OR NADER GREENS (NGS) MADE THE OLD GREEN PARTIES
FORGETABLE AND FORGOTTEN FOLLLIES OF THE PAST. Forget them.   We are
starting over.

2) THERE ARE BOT ELECTORAL-POLITICAL AND MOVEMENT ASPECTS TO THE NGs.
The Electoral-Political activities will go on building a political force
that will be organized by the 2002 elections and prpared for the 2004
elections.  This is a precinct by precinct organization that will put the
Greens in the political limelight. And make it a force to be reconed with.
The Movement activities will show that the NGS walk their talk.  Our goal
should be to build the social cells that can merge into a new society.
LETS, CSAs, CoHousing, Farmers' Markets, CLFs, EcoVillages, Homesteading,
Local Scrips, ESOPS, Intentional Communities, Food Co-ops, Credit Unions,
Homeschooling, Holistic Health, and many other social innovation should all
be under the Green Banner and recognized in a New Green Platform.
Politics and Movement are not separate, grassroots support of NG candidates
will grow as the new Social/Economic system grows.

3) NGs NEED NOT WIN POLITICAL ELECTIONS TO HAVE POLITICAL POWER.
We can learn that from the Christian Right.  The Nader campaign also proved
it.  All of the bellyaching that Nader helped elect Bush is partial truth.
The bigger part of the truth is that Gore defeated Gore by not recognizing
the NGs.  By 2002 that can be a well recognized fact.  Many Nader Greens
deserted the campaign justly trying to prevent a Bush victory.  By 2002 if
these and a few of the disenfranchised minorities are united a 5% to 10%
would make both parties shift their positions to those of the NGs.

4) A SHADOW NG GOVERNMENT CAN PROMOTE BOTH POLITICS AND MOVEMENT.
Most of us concentrate on a small number of actions within the holonistic
Green movement. A shadow Green Government can be organized to help each of
us promote our chosen field at the same time we link with others to promote
the larger NG Movement.  A few, like Nader has, may take on the integration
of the whole.

A shadow government, like we were discussing while the election was still
on, could have two functions.
An OUTREACXH service from each department could be building the individual
social cells that will makde up the whole. A political LOBBY force would
shadow action of Congress and the Administration to aler the Greens when
action is needed.  For Example:
An Agriccultural Department will work with CSAs,  Organic Farmers, Small
Farms, Farmers Markets and other aspects of the grassroots food and
agriculture to build markets and services.
Another task force of the shadow Agricultural Department will follow the
actions of the Congress and alert all members ofthe New Greens when action
is needed.  Just as we did when the organic foods regulations did not
reflect our views.
Other Departments, Economics, Ecology, Education, Habitat, Transportation,
Communications, Commerce, Peace, Human Rights, Arts, etc. will like wise
promote action within their chosen area of interest and expertise.

5) A CYBER ORGANIZATION OF DEPARTMENTS
Much of the post election conFusion on this list has been the range of
issues it tries to cover.  A Cyberspace organization might reduce the chaos.
Could we today create or designate listservs for each shadow department.
<Toeslist@egroups.com> might become the shadow economic dpartment.
<LearningCommunities@onelist.com> might be the education department.
<positive-futures@igc.topic.com> might take on the challenge of being the
shadow cabinet think tank. While GreenParty2001 might limits it scope to
policial organizing. Or alternatively special sub egroup listservs could be
established for each department.



I'm not sure what Ralph Nader plans for our future.  But I hope we will see
him establishihg a shadown cabinet to carry on from where he has brought us.
And I hope that each of us will pledge to continue to support, actively and
financially, the actions we have started.



Bill Ellis