Important Moments in Green Party History: ’06 Mid-Terms
The Green Party saw a lot of controversy during the presidential elections. The fact that they were negatively impacting the Democratic candidate (more in 2000 than ’04) led some liberals to feel that the Greens were, in a practical sense, defeating their own objectives. Much of this sentiment was born out of the fact that the Greens never seemed to place a candidate—merely campaign enough to deprive similar groups of votes.
However, the Green Party saw immense growth from 1996 to 2004, and they were ready to launch aggressive campaign in numerous places in the 2006 mid-terms. Across the nation, strong campaigning efforts centered on local regions made the Green ticket more viable than it ever had been in the past. The end result was that the Green Party won sixty-six total elections in those mid-terms. More than twenty of these were in California, and nearly a dozen were in Wisconsin.
Among other representatives was one Gayle McLaughlin, who was elected into the mayorship of Richmond. While other mayorial campaigns were won by the Green Party, Richmond was the first major city to have a Green representative.
Maine was another territory for victory. While they failed to get the Governor spot, a large chunk (nearly ten percent) of the voices cried out for Pat LaMarch, a green candidate. Additionally, numerous members were elected to the Portland City Council.
Illinois saw similar gubernatorial figures to Maine, but saw additional high figures with Tom Kelley as a Congress candidate (over twenty percent of the vote).
Pennsylvania saw a large amount of support, but was unable to get on the ballot because of an obscenely high petition threshold.
With numerous victories throughout the States, the Green Party proved in 2006 that they were more than a party of deprivation. They were a legitimate alternative for those who’s needs were better met by the Green Party.
Important Moments in Green Party History: Greens and the War in Iraq
There’s no doubt that the tragedy of September 11th was devastating for America. Yet somehow, the "War on Terror" moved quick quickly into a Middle-East conflict that was only tangentially related to terrorism. Presence in Iraq was not merely difficult for America—it made a statement about how our country would relate to the rest of the world. The statement was simple: our way or violence.
The Green Party quickly made a statement vehemently opposing the War in Iraq. The war had never been declared by congress, since it managed to swing through the "conflict" loophole. It brought more disorder and conflict to already tumultuous parts of the world. It was simply wrong.
The Green Party did more than just make a statement about the events happening around the world, however. They began initiatives that called for impeachment of President Bush and immediate withdrawal from Iraq and other locations in that part of the world. Other similar bills were posed by other groups and organization, and the Green Party did what they could to sponsor these.
The result was astounding. Nearly nine million Americans actively lent their voice to the cause, calling out for withdrawal. There are certain states where initiatives for exiting the Middle-East won in a clear and evident way—such as in Wisconsin, where more than a three-quarter majority favored that withdrawal; and Massachusettes, where less than twenty percent voted against initiatives with similar language.
Those who pay any attention to the news are fully aware that we did not leave Iraq. Further, while President Obama did withdraw from Iraq, he did so only to put more support into other foreign territories. Nonetheless, the action from Greens when it comes to the conflict in Iraq send a strong message about what the group can do when it combines concerted effort and intelligent campaigning.
Investing in higher education a must?
Most people find it hard to invest in education. However, with modern-day financial instruments like cash advances, this should not be a problem. They feel that investing in education is a waste of time and effort. This might be attributed to factors like family pressure, lack of understanding on how education can help a person and the pressure to start earning before the rest of the pack does.
However, if one were to consider how embarrassing it would be to give an answer that he/she is uneducated or only attended school till grade 8, when someone inquires about a person’s education level, the need for education would be much stronger. Even if one does not go on to pursue a post graduation, it is mandatory to have at least a basic degree.
The advantages of having a higher education are very many. First, it helps you climb the corporate ladder faster than having to fight your way through the echelons. Secondly, corporate bosses realize that it is easier to delegate tasks to people who are well-qualified without the need to keep repeating instructions.
As children, we all would have dreamt of leading a life of sophistication, driving around the city in costly cars, picking up any dress that we spot at the fashion boutique without even bothering to check the price tag, and a phenomenal bank balance. Higher education certainly makes our dreams come true. Moreover, a person with a higher education degree finds it easy to gain access to any company across the globe.
Finally, having a higher education means a hefty pay package and better increments at the end of each appraisal, in comparison with your peers. There are so many financial institutions queuing up to offer you payday loans and financial loans. So, it is just a matter of grabbing those and being on your way to becoming another CEO of tomorrow.
Important Moments in Green Party History: Reaching American Shores
The Green Party saw a lot of movement across the globe during the 60s (when they had yet to form a fully organize coalition), 70s (when they were first founded in Tasmania and spread through Europe, and 80s (when the global spread continued). Success in major areas of the globe, including notable success in Asia and Western Europe, prompted much Green support in the United States.
It was in 1984 that the Green Party first surfaced in the U.S., although their first actual meetings and presence didn’t occur until 1987. In ’87, California residents gathered in noteworthy numbers (upward of a thousand people) at the first ever Green Conference.
This marked the first "Greening the West" meeting, a set of conventions aimed at creating a Green Party presence in the United States and other portions of North America. Various speakers were present at these conventions, and ranged from foreign political members to scientists and more. Notable speakers included ecologist Bill Devall, Patricia Ellsberg, Charlene Spretnak, and Joanna Macy.
The group gained further representation from 1987 to 1991, and was officially recognized in ’91 as a political party. The group subsequently organized into various political action groups, and was initially targeted at supporting non-profit organizations, taking part in NPO actions, lending support to politicians who had a strong green agenda, and otherwise impacting the political scene indirectly.
As you’ll read in other entries, this changed in 1996 with the presidential elections that year. Since that time, support for the Green Party has grown, although the tactics for how to enter races has adapted over time so that the group does not damage the chances of Democrats who far more substantially share an agenda than the Republican Party does.
It’s certain that the Green Party will continue to increase in strength and relative size as the years go on.
How to Go Green with Your Pets
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Going green has even transected to being green with your pets. As guardians of your animals, you are also the guardians of the environment they live in. They, too, can make changes to help the environment with a few simple steps. For instance, if you go to the doggie park with your dog, walk there instead of driving. When using pooper scooper bags use, biodegradable bags for the feces. Cat owners can go for eco friendly cat litters. Many biodegradable options are litters made from wood chips or recycled wood chips. Be sure to avoid brands with mined minerals.
When it comes to grooming, air dry or towel dry your pet instead of using a blow dryer. Many environment friendly shampoos and conditioners are available for pet grooming as well. If your pet has an accident on the floor reach for the vinegar. The vinegar must be properly diluted with water, but it works great and will kill odor and bacteria. Vinegar is less expensive and is an environmentally friendly option.
When “treating” your pet consider making your own treats. There are many treat cookbooks or search on the internet for recipes shared by others. The possibilities are endless. If you do opt for store bought treats try to buy them in cardboard packaging and be sure to recycle. Using a stainless steel or ceramic food bowls will last longer and are more biodegradable.
Be sure to buy toys that are made with organic cotton or natural dyes. Some toys actually have pesticides in them and can actually cause pet allergies. Instead of using plastic water bottles when you travel with your pet use your own water from home in an eco friendly bottle. Most bottled water is tap water and your own water is what your pet is used to.
If you have pet s such as fish or hermit crabs put their lights on a timer. This will save electricity. You can also find biodegradable foods and tank materials are reasonably priced.
Your pet can “go green” too by you making a few small changes in their environment.
How to Go Green with a Car
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There are hybrid cars out there that of course are very green cars. Scientists say that electric cars running fully on battery power, not fuel, aren’t very far off. There are also cars that run on ”alternate fuel” such as E85, making the cost to the driver lower and the environment a better place. Bio diesel is also available which is a diesel made from veggie base and carbon neutral fuel. This fuel will run in any current diesel fueled engine without modifications. Not everyone can run out and buy a new vehicle in these challenging economic times, but there are ways the driver can make their present car “green” with little to no cost.
The way a person drives has a lot to do with their fuel consumption. Short, jerky stops and driving above the speed limit are the biggest offenders. Drivers should strive to keep their RPMs between 1200 and 3000 RPMs. Also combine errands and take fewer trips, as well as trying to carpool. Find someone you work with or go to school with and take turns driving. It’s a win win situation for the driver and the environment.
Drivers should keep cars in tip top condition. Get regular tune ups and be sure to have an air filter that is in good condition and doesn’t need changed. A clean air filter helps drivers use less gas, pollute less, and offsets trouble down the line. Be sure the tires are at the proper inflation. If every American had properly inflated tires on their cars we would save 2 billion dollars of gas a year! That’s a lot of extra fuel going into our environment that is not needed!
Take it easy with the AC in your car. There are solar fan options as well as rolling down the windows, which is free. When the car is parked, try to park it in the shade and use a windshield shade to keep the heat out so the AC wouldn’t need to be ran as long.
There are many inexpensive, easy ways to go green with your car.
How to go “Green” Grocery Shopping
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A common misconception people have about going green with groceries is that it has to be expensive. There are several small things that can be done to go green and not only have a family eating healthier but also creating a healthier environment.
Shoppers do not have to buy their groceries at a grocery store. Shoppers can easily grow their own vegetables, herbs, and spices. It can cut down on wasteful packaging and saves money. Even if shoppers have a very small yard they can make room for a garden and make a difference. Look for neighbors that are interested in gardening. If a neighbor grows a garden it is possible to trade produce and goods that are grown in the respective back yards.
Buying reusable bags instead of plastic bags cuts down on a tremendous amount of waste. Plastic bags are much less sturdy than the reusable bags and they are terrible for the environment. If there are no reusable bags on hand choose paper instead of plastic. Many stores will even give a small discount to shoppers who bring their own bags.
Look closely at the products you buy. Is the company using recyclable paper? Patronize those companies that do and are “going green”. When buying toiletry items go for items that are non-aerosol items such as a roll-on deodorant or a pump spray hair spray.
Don’t waste money on throw away batteries. Use rechargeable batteries and save money, while saving the environment. Rechargeable batteries have become very cost effective and convenient to use.
When buying organic products it is best to think local. Many farmer’s markets are found in neighborhoods. Their products are usually cheaper and safer, plus it is supporting the local economy.
Skipping red meat one day a week can cut your foods carbon footprint by about 5%. There are more options for green meat becoming available at a steady rate. Farmers are offering grass fed beef and free ranging chickens at an increasing rate. Check with your local farmers and see what is available.
Going green at the table doesn’t have to be expensive!
The Tea Party Movement
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The hot topic in politics today is the Tea Party Movement. The Tea Party began to emerge in 2009 through a series of protests. It started out as a frustrated group of Americans protesting together and has evolved into an actual political party. One of the originating protests did involve tea bags. Graham Makohoniuk invited people to mail a tea bag to congressmen and senators to protest the government bailouts of auto makers.
One of the common ideas that Tea Party Members agree on is that government has gotten too big and too powerful. Nine out of ten members are unhappy with the country’s direction and see the federal debt affecting their future adversely. Their top concerns are the economy and jobs.
The Tea Party supports internet freedom. No regulation or tax on the internet. They support all political meetings of a non security measure being broadcast on
C-Span and the internet. They support demanding a balanced budget and requiring 2/3 majority vote for any tax hikes. The Tea Party favors ending big government spending by imposing a statutory cap limiting the annual growth in total federal spending to the sum of inflation rate, plus the percentage of population growth.
The Gadsden flag has become the symbol for the Tea Party. The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag appears at many rallies and meetings of the Tea Party. The first hour the Tea Party movement had a website on the internet, it had over 115,000 hits.
There are concerns that the Tea Party could cause problems in the primaries. A Tea Party victory could divide some parties when it comes time to vote in the primaries giving the other candidate the advantage.
There is no clear cut agenda for the “Tea Party” thus far. It seems to be a lot of discontented groups banning together to form a somewhat organized party. They have gained some victories in the primaries and have garnered attention for themselves. If the reader is interested in politics, some research on the Tea Party agenda would be worthwhile as it seems, for now, it has staying power
The Green Party Stance on Palestine and Israel
Conflicts in the Middle-East are a strong part of many political agendas, but they tend to focus on the conflicts where the U.S. is directly involved. One situation that is often disregarded to too great of a degree is the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The violent clash between the two sees much bloodshed, and the Green Party saw a need to create a full statement in November of 2005.
The following points were struck on in the official statement:
1. A demand that Israel be boycotted and non-recognized until such a time that they fully restore the rights to the Palestinian people, both as individuals and as a group.
2. That all Green Party groups, associated groups, or supporting entities join in boycotting Israel entirely.
3. That governments around the globe needed to boycott Israel in a similar manner, and that individual states within the U.S. should join in this cause.
4. That all Campus Greens (a student organization of Green Party members) should work alongside other groups within their campus, as well as their campus administration, in order to make sure their entire institution was effectively boycotting Israel.
5. That all groups affiliated with the anti-war efforts of the Green Party (most notably the Green Peace Action Committee) should both a) boycott Israel as an institution and b) encourage all others they are associated with to do likewise.
6. That the international committee of the Green Party was to work with all other Green organizations and other associated groups across the globe in order to achieve international support of this boycott.
While the boycott itself didn’t see a strong amount of support on a high echelon of the political spectrum, numerous institutions, online degree programs and some regions sponsored the boycott. Other political action groups with a similar outlook on the conflict used the GP boycott as the foundation for their own action.
Green living are Not as complicated as you might think
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Most everyone in America has heard about or knows someone who is actively living the green lifestyle. This is a trend that is becoming more popular as the years go by. Why do they bother doing this? The answer is simple, conservation. People are making a whole hearted conscience effort to save water, electricity and taking that extra step further to recycle and reuse items.
It is doing simple things like filling up a ½ gallon container with water and placing it in the toilet tank to save water. Call your electric company and have them inspect your home to see how efficient your windows are and teach you how to save using electronic devices that control electric. If you take a moment, separate and recycle plastic, glass, and paper. They can be made into other things that the consumer can eventually use. Nothing is wasted and the result is less trash in the landfills.
Even the large manufactures have jumped on the band wagon to help the green effort. They make and sell products that are used specifically for conservation purposes. They make things like sprinkler heads that use less water, sprinkler system timers, and the like. For the people that like to tinker in the garden, outdoor solar lighting is a wonderful green choice and works as good as regular electrical outdoor lighting. Another interesting product would be the rain barrels that catch water so that gardeners can use the water to water their plants. Using the barrel means that you are not using drinking water. After all, rain is free.
One of the top reasons for living a greener life is for our grand children and their children. We want them to have the same resources that we are enjoying today. In order for that to become a reality, we all must do our part to conserve. Make a list of all the things you are willing to do to help the environment, and then put those words into action. Once you begin, you will find it rewarding and you will be influencing others along the way.