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Tag(s): Congress; Cynthia Mckinney; Elections; GrassRoots; Green; Green Party; Ideas; Impeachment; Impeachment; John Edwards; (more...) Kucinich-Dennis; Media; Peace; Progressive Problems; Republican (less...)
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January 30, 2008 at 13:34:36

Progressive Failures in the Democratic Party Benefit Greens

by Kevin Gosztola Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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“First, since I am a Green, the idea of Dennis coming over to join us would be wonderful. He has had the Democratic party thumb their collective noses in his direction three times now (once on impeachment and twice as a candidate.)

Dennis has one thing in common with the most likely Green Party Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney. They both had the chutzpah to introduce Impeachment in the House.” –wrolley

The only important issue that I have ever disagreed with Dennis about is his continued participation in the Democratic Party. I understand why he does -- without it he would lose his congressional seat by an attack of the Democratic establishment. Only staying a Democrat keeps them at bay from a frontal attack.

But by staying a committed Democrat Dennis feeds the delusions of progressives that the Democratic Party cares about them or about any of the real progressive issues. –GregoryW

There seemed to be widespread recognition of political reality among supporters of Kucinich. That’s why people who try to change the party from within should be supported by Greens. That’s also why Greens should invite Dennis Kucinich and his supporters to discover Cynthia McKinney or whoever they are planning to run as their nominee. (People supportive of Kucinich know a Green Party exists while supporters of Clinton, Edwards, and Obama probably are unaware.)

Many are refusing to vote for the lesser of two evils this year. Amen to that because it’s about time a wave of Americans woke up to reality, a reality Ralph Nader has been trying to communicate to Americans for years now if not decades.

Kucinich supporters should take what’s happened to them and use it as reason to join the Green Party. Don’t hang around and try and support Mike Gravel who is doing way worse than Dennis was doing. And please do not shift to supporting another dissident in another corporate establishment party, Ron Paul, who will only be squashed in due time by the Republican powers that be (they’ve already excluded him from one FOX News debate and can’t wait to exclude him some more; his media coverage is miniscule too which is revolting).

Greens are looking forward to an influx of registration. Think I’m kidding? My article on where do supporters go now after Dennis quits was linked to on a blog run by a Green.

Strength through peace is a Green Party slogan. Democrats still like peace through strength as much as Republicans do.

UPDATE
With the dropping out of Edwards, I was curious if anyone would be dropping Cynthia McKinney's name in the comments section anywhere. Particularly, I wondered if any Edwards supporters were thinking the same way Kucinich supporters had...

I found nothing on the Edwards for President website. (I did find that Obama supporters better watch it or else they are going to find Edwards suporters that were interested in shifting to supporting him just to be "anti-Billary" will just decide to not vote at all in the primary.)

On Common Dreams, I did find this:

Well that’s it for me.

I’m voting Green!

Cynthia McKinney for president 2008!

Other than that, it looks like the Greens know an opportunity when they see one. They are out trying to sway Edwards supporters to come to their party. I can only assume that a week later (almost) they have been out courting Kucinich supporters too.

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Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral system, its military-industrial complex, its foreign policy of American exceptionalism, its media which has become the Fourth Branch of government,etc.)
His ambitions have him currently organizing and raising money for a Chicago Conference for Media Reform in April or May of 2009. It will be organized by college students to promote youth involvement in media reform and justice. Those interested in attending or helping with the organization of the program should contact him.

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4 comments

How does one begin to describe themselves? That has always been a difficult task for me. I'm a single parent of three grown daughters. Never married. No major accomplishments. I'm just another poverty stricken citizen who cares and I believe that the process of politics are what makes the rules that govern our lives. I don't want to leave those decisions to some one else to make without my involvement. Laurie Lyon.
Laurie LyonHow does one begin to describe themselves? That has always been a difficult task for me. I'm a single parent of three grown daughters. Never married. No major accomplishments. I'm just another poverty stricken citizen who cares and I believe that the process of politics are what makes the rules that govern our lives. I don't want to leave those decisions to some one else to make without my involvement. Laurie Lyon.

Democrats and Greens

I have been a Green supporter in past elections. This year I supported Kucinich. Due to the fact that the electorate only recognizes 2 parties. Dennis Kucinich was the candidate that stood the greatest chance of becoming elected. Where are all the Progressives when you need them?!! None of the major progressive institutions stood for Dennis. The best they could do was Edwards, who co-wrote the Patriot Act. Or Barak Obama, Handsome, Articulate, Great suites. Wants to increase the Pentagon budget. We are running out of time on this precious planet and the candidate who has the most progressive stance inside the Democratic party gets ignored not just by the main stream media but, by almost all of the progressive movement. We need to be flexible if we are to make the changes that we want. I can't help but feel this was the best oppurtunity we had and we blew it, because what would we do without our struggle? The struggle that our collective and individual egos identify with. What would happen if we actually got a progressive leader? Cornell West came out for Obama and West says about Obama that he doesn't go far enough with his social policies and that we will have to work on him and bring him along a more progressive route. Mean while Kucinich was already there. Over and over I heard these kinds of rationales concerning Kucinich. There's no bringing these corporate candidates along. Kucinich didn't accept corporate money for his campaign. He is beholden to us the American citizen. I believe that Dennis will run again for president in 2012. We have 4 years to keep talking about his ideas. Grassroots, word of mouth, on the ground organizing. Continue to follow his Congressional office by going to Integritynow.org and support his congressional race. Because he caught too much of the attention of the corporate elite; they are trying to run him out of politics all together. We Need Kucinich In Congress!!!

by Laurie Lyon (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 6:47:40 AM

Interested in all sciences, arts, and histories, i have deep reverance for Love, Life, and Earth, as manifestations of Allness's beauty. i dislike isms, and am an avowed member of the Green Party.Born in 1963, i grew up in Wauwatosa and have spent most of my life in Wisconsin. I am about to graduate from UWM with a Bachelor's in Information Resources.more @ myspace.com/geanark & montesite.net
monte letourneauInterested in all sciences, arts, and histories, i have deep reverance for Love, Life, and Earth, as manifestations of Allness's beauty. i dislike isms, and am an avowed member of the Green Party.Born in 1963, i grew up in Wauwatosa and have spent most of my life in Wisconsin. I am about to graduate from UWM with a Bachelor's in Information Resources.more @ myspace.com/geanark & montesite.net

Running all out?

Green Party US always ran all out, always will.

2004, Nader listened to the rumor mongers, this made for neither running well.

His new exploratory page doesn't have the word green anywhere on it.

Vote Cynthia McKinney, she's all out, Green, and done been running.

by monte letourneau (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 8:29:37 AM

impeachment for congress, house and president
Tri 'cat' Oxtailimpeachment for congress, house and president

upset

I think McKinney is the strongest voice for change. I am upset at the other parties to talk about issues that dont matter to me. McKinney has voiced the same problems that I feel. Over the past few years my distrust for the democratic and republican parties grows even more. They continue to breed hate and lies disguised by money and greed. Corporate donors from militray war machine continue to flow to the candidates obama and clinton and mccain.

How is it our government is now a label pwned by corporate media.
These elections prove that the American public is brainwashed and stupid. Seems they are even more dumb then last time.
Its scary to think what will happen in a few years when we are all gone. This country is breeding war children for the future to conquer more nations.
The current politicians have diverted the public away from true problems and pointed the finger at others. When the world wakes up and organizes a massive front against us, we will continue to war.
Our country is hated by 95% of other countries. Our resources are all gone. Our technology has been sold to other countries. What does america really have to compare to the world. Nothing. Thats why we continue to say we are number and brainwash the children with sports activities. Common roman rule over another bread into the minds of the poor and poverty.
The people dieing in iraq this week as the candidates continue its lies of change. THe people will revolt against those who have tarnished the nations reputation for their own political gain. Lied to the public and stole the last civil rights she owned. The troops continue to fight as the candidates speak nothing about it. Smiles and makeup and movie star clothes
with million dollar attire and flashy shiny jewelry. One million people have died at the hands of the current government. 1 Million lives were killed when the democrats and republicans voted to murder innocent people. Our generaton will be notorized and remembered for its inhumane torture and slavery around the world.
Our generation has committed war crimes.

'we will never forget'

Her track record in the past votes proves her support for what is right.
We a politician that can speak for the people
and standup to corrupt politician who take donations from military companies
pushing war and diverting the end to war in iraq. this election has brainwashed teh american people
thinking they are voting for change when its clear judging by the campaign donors list, that the dems and reps
all have the same donors..?.. How is it that our election were stolen by corporate elite pursuing global control
over the poeples mind and waging war int he name of American flag. We need to act and revolutionize the art of this democracy into a
free and fair election. vote mckinney for president. Also you can find me on her supporter site that has a real true following of social justice.
http://www.mckinney2008.com
'we will never forget'

by Tri 'cat' Oxtail (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 15 comments) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 1:24:04 PM

www.ilgp.org
Zeleniwww.ilgp.org

Illinois Green Primary

Kevin,

In case you hadn't heard, Illinois will have its first ever Green primary this Tuesday, February 5th, thanks to Rich Whitney's phenomonal performance in the 2006 gubernatorial election. We'll have four candidates on the ballot: Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, Howie Hawkins (Nader placeholder), and Jared Ball. We also have 10 declared congressional candidates (most of which will be on the primary ballot, while the rest will be slated soon) and a multitude of state local candidates. You can learn about about the candidates at www.ilgp.org. I also urge you and your readers to join their state Green Parties. Let's keep the progressive voice alive.

by Zeleni (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 7:00:50 PM