Green News and Opinion

Many folks believe that the Green Party is seen as liberal amongst the voters. Others believe that we are seen as spoilers. Others think we are seen as tools of either the Democratic or Republican parties. I believe that the Green Party is a clean slate to most voters, and as such, we Greens are the only people who can determine what the voters think of us.

Are you concerned that local voters will reject a Green Party overture because they think we are too pro-Palestinian? Are you worried that voters will reject your campaign because we are on record as supporting reparations for slavery? Are you worried that a neighboring state running against a "decent" Democrat will hurt your chances? Forget about it! The voters know virtually nothing about us, and the media and Demopublicans are not spending any time, print, or energy on us. Therefore, we get to decide how our voters see us.

How do I know this? Well here's an example:

The Burlington Free Press in Burlington VT has allowed Rene Kaczka-Valliere, a 27 year old social worker and Green Party nominee running for Ward 5, as well as the other candidates, to share their ideas directly with the voters. She takes the opportunity to tell the readers what she wants the voters to know about the Green Party. She gives a full and accurate accounting of the Green Party, but the point is that she felt it was necessary to tell the voters of Burlington VT who the Green Party is. And this is in VERMONT, a state where the Greens have been on the ballot for some time, where there has been controversy over access to their Presidential ballot line, and where they have elected a public socialist to the House and now to the Senate, and the voters still don't know who we are.

So, there are no excuses. This party is ours to take by the scruff of the neck and get busy making changes. No more waiting. No more moaning. It's time for action, from the grassroots up.

How does Rene Kaczka-Valliere explain who the Green Party is? Here are her own words:

Ward 5: In their own words

Published: Thursday, March 1, 2007
Rene Kaczka-Valliere

BIO: Age: 27; Education: bachelor's degree, Wheelock College, 2001; master's degree, Coventry University; family: partner, Jeanne; occupation: social worker, Champlain Valley Agency on Aging; political experience: none; party affiliation: Green Party.

STATEMENT: Dear Ward 5 Residents, my name is Rene Kaczka-Valliere and I am the Green Party candidate running for City Council. Over the last 6 weeks I have been visiting you in order to share my vision for Ward 5 and the City. During this time, many of you have shared your unfamiliarity with the Green Party. Let me introduce you to the largest political party in the world and the fastest growing political party in the United States.

The Green party first formed in New Zealand and Tasmania in 1972. The Party now exists in over 70 countries, such as South Korea, Nepal, Mongolia, Nigeria, Morocco, Somalia, Kenya, Netherlands, Russia, Portugal, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Since 1985, there have been 3,068 Green candidates in the U.S., with 602 of those candidates winning. Currently, 223 Green Party members hold offices in 28 U.S. states, including the District of Columbia. Worldwide Green Party members and candidates are guided by the Ten Key Values of: Grassroots Democracy; Social Justice; Ecological Wisdom; Non-violence; Decentralization; Community-based Economics; Feminism; Diversity; Responsibility; Future Focus and Sustainability.

My campaign is based upon these Key Values.

I am concerned with the prevalence of men's violence against women. Men's violence is a serious issue in our city as well as in our nation. I am committed to ending men's violence where it exists in our schools, in our workplaces, in our neighbourhoods, and in our homes. This issue relates to the Green Party's values of Feminism, Non-Violence, Social Justice and Responsibility. To learn more about this issue and my platform, visit VoteRene.org. On March 6th make history vote Green in our Green Mountain State.