Current News and Events

Green Party Vice Presidential Candidate Cheri Honkala to visit Detroit, Sunday Oct 28

On Constitution Day, La Pietra Calls for Respect for Rights of Registered Voters

Urges Opponent to Join Him in Opposing "Unnecessary, Unauthorized, and Arguably Illegal" Checkbox on Ballot Applications

In honor of Constitution Day, John Anthony La Pietra, the Green Party candidate for Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds, is taking a public stand for respecting the fundamental rights of registered voters in Michigan by opposing the so-called "citizenship checkbox".

Poll-workers in at least some areas were instructed to deny primary ballots to voters unless they re-declared their citizenship on the ballot application form. And an authoritative report on Michigan's August 7 primary identified Battle Creek as one of the areas where voters reported just that problem.

John calls on his opponent and all local clerks to join him in rejecting the checkbox, which he points out is "unnecessary, unauthorized, and arguably illegal."

"As the Michigan Election Reform Alliance and others have pointed out, deterring or interrupting registered citizens from voting with a device like that could put election officials at risk of felony charges."

Earlier today, MERA and other members of a statewide election-rights coalition sued the Secretary of State's office to stop use of the checkbox. And the clerks of Ingham, Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties declared that they would leave the checkbox off their counties' ballot applications.

"Calhoun County should do the same," John says simply. "We already have better ways to prevent more plausible forms of election fraud -- right down to providing pens instead of pencils for voters to fill out those applications."

The ACLU of Michigan, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, has posted on its Website the Coalition's preliminary report on the August 7 primary:

http://www.aclumich.org/sites/default/files/PrimaryElectionsReport.pdf

John’s own report on Calhoun County voting conditions August 7 is posted on his campaign Website at:

http://members.triton.net/jalp/survey-results_primary.pdf

For more details, or to volunteer to help watch voting conditions in November, contact John via phone, e-mail, or Facebook:

John Anthony La Pietra For the People
386 Boyer Court
Marshall, MI 49068
e-mail: jalp4thePeople@triton.net
phone: 269-781-9478
Facebook: jalp4thePeople

LABOR DAY MESSAGE: Winning labor's battles requires independent politics

Opinion article issued for Labor Day, 2012, by Jill Stein. A PDF version of this statement is available by clicking here. Photo at right is of Philly labor leader Jim Moran speaking with Cheri Honkala and Jill Stein.

I welcome and endorse the AFL-CIO's campaign to finally fulfill President Roosevelt's 1944 call for a second, Economic Bill of Rights, including the rights to jobs, living wages, labor unions, voting rights, health care, education, and retirement security. As the Green Party candidate for President, my Green New Deal platform already has specific proposals to secure these rights.

Jobs: Employ the unemployed in public works projects and federally-supported community-controlled cooperatives and other enterprises; create 25 million green and public service jobs.

Living Wages: Raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage.

Labor Law Reforms: Repeal the anti-labor Taft-Hartley Act, outlaw permanent striker replacements, and authorize majority card check union recognition.

Voting Rights: Pass the Right To Vote Amendment to establish an affirmative constitutional right to vote and accurate vote counting.

Corporate Power: Pass a constitutional amendment to repeal the corrupting court-ordered doctrines that corporations are people and money is speech and establish that corporations and election campaign finance can be regulated

Health Care: Enact single-payer Medicare for All.

Education: Forgive student debt and provide tuition-free public education from pre-school through graduate school.

Retirement Security: Eliminate the cap on Social Security taxes for high incomes in order to secure Social Security's indefinite fiscal sustainability.

The AFL-CIO leadership are demanding that the two corporate-financed parties, the Democrats and Republicans, adopt the Economic Bill of Rights in their platforms at their conventions this year. They must know this a lost cause with the openly anti-union Republicans. They should know that a real commitment to an Economic Bill of Rights is as much a lost cause with the Democrats, who have taken labor's political support for granted for many decades with no significant pro-labor reforms to show for it.

Read more here

Green Party VP Candidate Cheri Honkala Joins "Romneyville" Encampment to Give Voice to the Poor

Wayne County Nominating Caucus to be held in Detroit on Saturday, August 4

There will be a meeting of the Wayne County Caucus of the Green Party of Michigan on Saturday, August 4, from 2-5 pm at the American Room, International Institute, 111 E. Kirby, Detroit. (map: http://goo.gl/maps/TuLr)

The purpose of the meeting will be to hear from and nominate candidates for all offices wholly within Wayne County. Candidates selected will be on the November 6 ballot as Green Party candidates. All Green Party of Michigan members residing in Wayne County have voice and voting rights.

In addition, it will be an opportunity for people to learn about the Green Party and the Jill Stein-Cheri Honkala campaign for President and Vice-president of the United States. They were nominated at the GPUS Convention July 14 in Baltimore. They are fighting for a New Green Deal. The campaign has met the criteria for matching federal funds - a first ever for a Green Party US presidential candidate. They appeared on Amy Goodman as she broadcast live from the Convention. The nomination also received coverage in the NY Times, Washington Post, USA Today and other major media. As they did in Chicago in 2008, C-SPAN broadcasted and archived the nomination proceedings at: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/VoteSpe

Join us for the nomination of candidates, hear about the GPUS Convention and the Stein-Honkala campaign. Light refreshments served.

If you are interested in running for county or state office in Wayne County, please contact Fred Vitale at freddetroit@sbcglobal.net 313-580-4905 or Lou Novak at lou@migreenparty.org 313-623-4709

Green Party of Michigan Nominates Candidates At All Levels of Government

(Mt. Pleasant) - The Green Party of Michigan held its nominating convention this past weekend in Mt. Pleasant on the Central Michigan University campus. While the focus of the convention was on the presidential election, nominees were also chosen for state and local offices and support was offered for some ballot initiative petition drives as well.

The convention began on Saturday with informational sessions surrounding those seeking office in Michigan. Potential nominees spoke briefly on their dedication to Green values, what they had to offer their constituency as well as responding to questions from the assembly. Across the board, those who spoke offered support for reproductive rights as well as the institution of gay marriage, questions offered up to all candidates. Nominees continued to offer themselves for consideration on Sunday as well because not all were able to attend the Saturday session. Local caucuses may also be held up to the day of the primary, August 7th , if no one from that county was nominated during the state convention. Support for state and local candidates who announced their desire to run during the convention was unanimous. Michigan nominees are as follows:

Harley Mikkelson: US Senator
Ellis Boal: US Representative/Congressional District 01
William J. Opalicky: US Representative/Congressional District 02
Pat Timmons: US Representative/Congressional District 04
Richard E. Wunsch: US Representative/Congressional District 07
Julia Williams: US Representative/Congressional District 09
Steven Paul Duke: US Representative/Congressional District 11
Douglas Campbell: US Representative/Congressional District 14
David McMahon: State Representative/District 055 (Washtenaw County)
John Longhurst: State Representative/District 106
Candace R. Caveny: statewide/State Board of Education
Dwain Reynolds III: statewide/State Board of Education
Eric Borregard: statewide/University of Michigan Board of Regents
Lloyd Clarke: statewide/Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Margaret Guttshall: statewide/Wayne State University Board of Governors
Latham Redding: statewide/Wayne State University Board of Governors
J. Matthew de Heus: County Commissioner / Bay County - District 7
John Anthony La Pietra: County Clerk & Register of Deeds / Calhoun County
Jennifer La Pietra: County Commissioner / Calhoun County - District 6
Korine Bachleda: Clerk / Newberg Township (Cass County)
Josef Connolly: County Commissioner / Grand Traverse County - District 3
Tom Mair: County Commissioner / Grand Traverse County - District 2

The highlight of the day was a series of three back-to-back SKYPE sessions with Green Party Presidential hopefuls: comedienne Roseanne Barr of California, Dr. Jill Stein of Massachusetts and Dr. Kent Mesplay also of California. Unlike Presidential candidates from other parties, the three Greens who spoke Saturday offered support and kind words for their competitors.

Roseanne Barr spoke first and focused on the fact that banks and other big business interests seem to own the politicians - and through them, the people. She said she was attracted to the Greens because the party's Ten Key Values put it on the side of defending the people from the class warfare being waged against them. She called for a debt jubilee to forgive student loans and home mortgages.

Jill Stein noted that the Green Party has survived when other people's movements have not, and stressed maintaining and building the Green Party as both a grassroots movement and a political party. She said Greens were ahead of the curve not only on the environment but also on opposing wars, protecting civil rights, women's rights, and many other issues. While winning the Presidency and turning the White House into a Green House would be one kind of win, she added that a real win would be forcing the people's issues into the public discussion.

Kent Mesplay billed himself as the "organically grown" Green Party candidate as he has been a member of the party since 1995. And, having run for the nomination during the last cycle as well, he was the hopeful with the most experience running in what he describes as the near-Orwellian environment of current US politics. He advocated for the concerns of native Americans and community-based approaches to national issues, pointing out that environmental independence could lead to more overall independence.

The Presidential candidates agreed on several issues vital to attendees. The banking industry is corrupt and should be broken down into smaller, community-based institutions. Also a theme was the political system itself, which also revolves around financial gain rather than representing and implementing the will of the people. Responses by all candidates were well-received by the assembly of Michigan Greens.In the party's straw poll, run using Instant Runoff Voting-style ballots, 56% of Michigan Greens made Stein their first preference. 17% listed Barr as their top choice, while 13% preferred favorite-son candidate Harley Mikkelson and 11% chose Mesplay first. A few preferences for other choices were also expressed.

While the vote is not absolutely binding, GPMI co-chair Fred Vitale noted that Michigan Greens have generally given their votes to candidates proportionally in the first round of national-convention balloting. This would translate to 9 of Michigan's 16 delegates voting for Stein, 3 for Barr, and 2 each for Mesplay and Mikkelson.

For more information, please contact:
Michigan Green Party Election Coordinator John A La Pietra at jalp@triton.net or (269)781-9478

Green Party of Michigan Nominates Candidates At All Levels of Government

###

Green Party of Michigan State Nominating Convention June 2-3 Mt Pleasant

Date/Time
=========
Saturday, June 2 -- 8am to 10:30pm
Sunday, June 3 -- 8am to 5pm

Place
=====
Central Michigan University
Wesley Center
1400 South Washington Street
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

map:
---
http://cmu.miwesley.org/node/6 OR
http://maps.google.com/?mid=1333803540

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============================================================

Jill Stein Brings Campaign for Green Party Nomination to Michigan on Monday March 5

Ann Arbor:
Monday Mar 5 4pm to 6pm
Amer's Deli on S. State Street.
(map: http://g.co/maps/2u2bg)

Ferndale:
Monday Mar 5 7:30pm to 10:30pm
AJ's cafe on 9 Mile Rd
(map: http://g.co/maps/xjqt2)

The public is invited to attend one of two meetings with Dr. Jill Stein of Massachusetts who is vying for the Green Party's nomination for president of the United States on Monday, March 5th. Come hear her speak about the Green New Deal and what it would mean for Michigan.

Dr. Jill Stein is a mother, housewife, physician, longtime teacher of internal medicine, and pioneering environmental-health advocate. Presenting herself as a positive option to the main two political parties, Dr. Stein's campaign has centered around the Green New Deal which was created to help America regain its prosperity in four ways: securing jobs with living wages for all Americans able to work, adopting green technologies and production practices, revamping the financial sector and strengthening our democracy so that the people's voice will be heard in Washington.

Dr. Stein will make two stops in Michigan as she makes her way through the Great Lakes region. First, she will be in Ann Arbor from 4pm to 6pm at Amer's Deli on S. State Street. (map: http://g.co/maps/2u2bg)

After Ann Arbor, she will move on to Ferndale where she will be at AJ's cafe on 9 Mile Rd from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. (map: http://g.co/maps/xjqt2)

Dr. Stein will be available to answer questions, talk about her candidacy and what the Green Party can do to make America thrive. To learn more about Jill Stein, visit her website at

http://www.jillstein.org/

or look for her on Facebook.

Other candidates seeking the Green Party's nomination include comedienne Roseanne Barr, Kent Mesplay of California and Michigan's own Harley Mikkelson.

The Green Party blasts Obama, NRC on approval of new nuclear reactors in Georgia

US taxpayers to subsidize the high cost and high liability for the new units, while Southern Co. reaps the profits

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates and leaders strongly criticized a Feb. 9 decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue the final license for two new reactors located at the currently operating Vogtle nuclear power plant near Augusta, Georgia.

Greens said that the 2011 Fukushima disaster, with radioactive water and waste continuing to spill into the local environment, proves the need to put nuclear power on permanent hold. Green Party leaders noted that residents near Plant Vogtle claim that some cancers increased after 1987, when the Atlanta-based Southern Company opened the first of the two existing reactors.

"The energy companies know that nuclear energy is extremely expensive and a high risk for security, public health, and the environment. They saw what happened in Fukushima, as well as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Rather than gamble with their own money, energy companies have convinced President Obama to pass the cost and liability on to US taxpayers," said Denice Traina, Coordinating Council member and former co-chair of the Georgia Green Party (http://www.greens.org/georgia).

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=479

GPMI State Membership Meeting, Bay City, Feb 11-12

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 9:30am and Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:00am

1205 Washington Ave, Bay City, Michigan 48708

The State Membership Meeting of the Green Party of Michigan will be held on February 11 & 12 in Bay City.

On Saturday, when we will cover party business, registration will begin at 9:30 AM and the meeting will run until 4:00 PM. Continental breakfast and buffet lunch provided.

On Sunday the meeting will begin at 10:00 AM, with a continental breakfast. On this day we will hold a Town Hall style meeting, open to the public, discussing

GPMI's Cary Neuville-Justice in State Rep 51 District Special Election

GENESEE COUNTY-Cary Neuville-Justice was selected by the state central committee of the Green Party of Michigan to be their nominee in the special election to fill the seat of recalled Republican state representative Paul Scott.

Neuville-Justice, an MBA and tax professional from Linden, was appointed by the Linden City Council to the Board of Review in 2004 and is still serving today. She is a third generation resident of Linden.

The winner of the Feb 28th election will serve a ten month term ending Dec. 31st, 2012. The 51st State House District boundaries will be redrawn next year.

Contributions can be sent to:
Friends of Cary Neuville-Justice
P.O. Box 125
Linden, MI 48451

Phone: 313-815-2025

Detroit Greens and MWRO Celebrate Occupy Wall Street Dec 9

Green Party calls for a nationwide moratorium on home foreclosures

Greens urge Obama, Congress to halt further bank foreclosures: Wall Street firms should suffer 'austerity' for the economic crisis they caused, not the American people

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States called for an immediate nationwide moratorium on foreclosures and urged President Obama and Congress to take steps to halt further actions by banks to foreclose on the homes of Americans in the continuing economic recession.

"An order barring lenders from evicting people from their homes would be a powerful first step towards restoring financial stability and easing the fears of middle- and low-income working Americans," said John Eder, Green candidate for Mayor of Portland, Maine (http://www.johneder.org) and former State Representative in Maine. "The economy might be thriving again for the one percent, but for most Americans, the Subprime Mortgage Crisis and 2008 recession are not over. Millions of families face the loss of their homes, millions are without a job or only semi-employed, millions have no health coverage or inadequate coverage."

Green Party candidate Cheri Honkala, running for Sheriff of Philadelphia in the 2011 election, has pledged not to cooperate with banks attempting to evict residents from their homes (http://www.cherihonkala.com). Ms. Honkala is a long-time housing activist and founder of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union.

Read more

Green Light Winter 2011

Full Issue (PDF file)

GPMI State Membership Meeting - St. Ignace Sat-Sun Oct 15-16

Green Party of Michigan State Membership Meeting

St. Ignace, October 15-16, 2011

St. Ignace Public Library
110 W. Spruce Street
St. Ignace, Michigan 49781
http://g.co/maps/jr2w9

Saturday Oct 15 10am - 5pm
Sun Oct 16 9am - 11am

Agenda includes:
Officer Reports
National, Regional and Local Reports including Fracking, and Occupy Wall St
Planning for the Election Year

More info: http://www.migreens.org/convention/smm1110.php

Green Party of the US endorses, joins 'October 2011' protest against the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and 2012 austerity budget

Greens call for an end to the Bush-Obama post-9/11 decade of wars without end, bloated military budgets, skyrocketing hate crimes against Muslims in the US, torture and other abuses of power

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States has endorsed the "October 2011" protests and other events marking the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan and the beginning of the 2012 federal austerity budget.

On October 6, 2011, thousands will gather on Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC to "occupy the plaza and hold a People's Assembly where we come up with just and sustainable solutions to the crises we face and demand that these solutions be presented and that the people's needs be addressed. We will plan and engage in creative acts of civil resistance and demand that our inherent rights and freedoms be protected, and that our children have a chance to live in peace, to breathe clean air, and to grow edible natural food," according to the October 2011 web site (http://october2011.org).

Participants hope that the event will spark a US equivalent to the pro-democracy 'Arab Spring' of early 2011. Green leaders said that, after the changes in the Middle East, the demise of Osama bin Laden, and the severe damage to the nation's economy and rule of law that resulted from the wars, it's time to restore peace and sanity in America.

"In making this endorsement, we're challenging the dangerous political direction of the US. We also challenge others who support 'October 2011' to recognize the Green Party's leadership on the issues these events will address, such as endless wars, the demand for Medicare For All universal health care and millions of new jobs, and the need to end the control of top corporations over our political system," said Sanda Everette, member of the Coordinating Committee of the Green Party of California and former co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. Ms. Everette will participate in the October 6 event.

more at http://www.detroitgreens.org/node/439

Green Party, responding to President Obama's Sept. 8 address, calls 'Green New Deal' the key to job creation

Greens urge public works programs to provide millions of jobs and help convert America to a secure green economy

WASHINGTON, DC -- Responding to President Obama's speech Thursday night, the Green Party today called for a 'Green New Deal' to put Americans back to work while helping the US transition to a carbon-free green economy.

"We need a Green New Deal that will put all of the unemployed to work rebuilding America on the basis of an economically and ecologically sustainable prosperity. The green in the Green New Deal means we must go beyond the old New Deal and bring an environmental focus to our public investments, including clean manufacturing processes, to not only address the crisis of climate change but to build the foundation of a sustainable green economy," said Jill Stein, co-chair of the Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts (http://www.massgreens.org) and author of "Jobs for All with a Green New Deal" (Green Papers, September 5, 2011, http://www.greenpapers.net/?p=164).

"Other countries are already making major investments to position themselves for this future carbon-free economy. America needs to catch up. A Green New Deal offers the opportunity to revive and reinvent American manufacturing, so we can have good jobs by making the solar panels and wind towers and transit cars right here in America," added Dr. Stein.

More on the Green New Deal: http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2010/08/11/62-green-candidates-endorse-gr...

Green Party leaders said that President Obama's new jobs proposal will fall far short of finding enough jobs for the 25 million Americans who need employment. They sharply criticized the president for failing to call for revenue measures needed to finance a robust jobs creation program, including taxes on Wall Street speculation, off-shore tax havens, millionaires and multimillion dollar estates, as well as a 30% reduction in the trillion-dollar bloated military-industrial-security complex budget.

"President Obama refused to address the massive problem of income inequality, a major cause of the economic recession. The wealthiest 1% of Americans now take home 24% of the national income, up from 9% in 1976. The last time the US had such massive income inequality was in 1927, which pushed the country into the Great Depression because of the loss of consumer spending," said Laura Wells, Green candidate for the 2010 governor's race in California.

Green leaders said that a payroll tax cut for working Americans will at best provide a modest economic stimulus, but agreed with President Obama's support for extended unemployment benefits.

Greens have long advocated the establishment of an infrastructure bank, noting that North Dakota's successful public banks have granted cheaper and easier access to credit to small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments.

"The path to full employment in America lies in building a green economy, not in caving to polluters as the Obama administration has done recently. The New York Times reports that the recent surge of the Green Party in many European countries was due to the recognition that building a green economy is the key to job creation (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/02/world/europe/02greens.html). Politicians in the US love to campaign on a green jobs agenda, but once elected, its back to pushing more tax cuts and handouts for large corporations," said Starlene Rankin, co-chair of the Green Party's national Lavender Green Caucus.

"A Green New Deal will establish government's responsibility to guarantee the right to a job for every American willing and able to work. Let's turn the unemployment office into the employment office. If the private sector fails to provide you a job, you go down to the employment office to get work. We need to build ecologically sustainable energy and transportation infrastructure and production systems -- clean renewable energy generation, retrofitting buildings and homes and other projects for energy efficiency, intra-city mass transit and inter-city railroads, 'complete streets' that encourage bikes and pedestrians, regional food systems based on sustainable organic agriculture, and clean manufacturing of the goods needed to support a sustainable economy," said Howie Hawkins, co-chair of the Green Party of New York State and Green candidate for Common Councilor in Syracuse, New York.

Green leaders noted that the White House launched several successful public works programs since the 1930s. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s and Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) in the 1970s employed millions to provide necessary public infrastructure and public services like education, health, child care, elder care, youth programs, and arts and cultural projects.

The net cost of a WPA-style jobs program to create 25 million new jobs would be $666 billion, only about 50% more than the $447 billion President Obama proposes and less than the $825 billion in the 2009 stimulus -- and miniscule compared to the trillions in Wall Street bailouts in 2008 and 2009. (See "Learning from the New Deal" (draft) by Philip Harvey, Professor of Law and Economics at Rutgers School of Law, http://www.njfac.org/HarveyLearningND.pdf). Assuming that a public jobs program would stimulate about one private job for every two public jobs created, we would need about 17.5 million public jobs the first year. With pay between $14 to $17 per hour, plus benefits, the net cost per job would be only $28,600, compared to $228,055 per job cost of Obama's initial 2009 stimulus, which mainly consisted of tax incentives.

Greens warned that Obama's proposals also fail to provide enough relief from housing foreclosures. A July 2010 report from the International Monetary Fund shows that the foreclosure crisis account for more than 10% of the unemployment rate (http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10248.pdf). Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-run mortgage companies, must aggressively reduce the principal balances on underwater loans and make refinancing easier for underwater borrowers.

The cost of a Green New Deal jobs program would be covered through a combination of carbon taxes to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increased taxes on the wealthy and Wall Street, and major cuts in the military budget. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the top four contributors to the federal deficit are (in order of importance) the Bush tax cuts, reduced revenues in the wake of the 2008 economic meltdown, bank bailouts, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Defending America doesn't require a globally deployed military, with bases in over 100 countries and full-scale occupations and wars on several fronts. The military budget has doubled over the last decade. The US spends over $1 trillion a year on the military-industrial complex. If we cut military spending by two-thirds to fully fund an Employment Assurance program in the depths of the current Great Recession, we would still spend three times more than China, the world's next biggest military spender, China," said Mark Dunlea, New York Green and chair of the Green Educational Legal Fund, Inc.

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191

Green candidate database and campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
Ballot Access Page http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus
Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Video Page http://www.gp.org/video/index.php

"Critics Still Wrong on What’s Driving Deficits in Coming Years: Economic Downturn, Financial Rescues, and Bush-Era Policies Drive the Numbers"
By Kathy Ruffing and James R. Horney, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, June 28, 2010
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3036

Press conferences, forums, and other events at the Green Party's 2011 Annual National Meeting in Alfred, NY, broadcast and archived on the Green Party's Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
2011 Annual National Meeting http://nygreenfest.org

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States (Summer 2011 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

The Green Party urges US/NATO to withdraw from Libya and support African Union efforts to broker a resolution

Former US Congresswoman and 2008 Green Party Presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney reports on her fact-finding mission to Libya in Detroit on Saturday, Aug 27. More info at http://www.detroitgreens.org/node/428.

Green Party leaders, candidates, and state party delegates head to Alfred, New York, for the party's 2011 Annual National Meeting, August 5-7

Theme of the meeting: "Building a Green Economy -- No War. No Coal. No Gas. No Nukes."

Forums and other events will be broadcast via the Green Party's Livestream Channel (http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus); Elizabeth May, Canadian Green member of Parliament, and economist David C. Korten will speak via Skype

The meeting will take place at Green Fest (http://nygreenfest.org) in Alfred, western New York; Greens will begin planning for the 2012 elections, including the presidential race

Media events will feature Green candidates and officeholders (see below); Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media (also linked here: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml)

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders, candidates, officeholders, and state party delegates are heading to Alfred, in western New York State, this week for the party's 2011 Annual National Meeting at Alfred University from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.

This year's meeting site was chosen in part to recognize the Green Party's achievement of major party status in New York, a result of Howie Hawkins' gubernatorial candidacy in the 2010 election.

The meeting will take place at the fourth biennial New York Green Fest, "a gathering of folks interested in exploring the politics and practices that will help enable us to live in a sustainable world, and sharing a weekend of good discussions, good food, and good music" (http://nygreenfest.org). Greens will discuss this year's elections and prepare for Election Year 2012, including the presidential race.

more at http://www.detroitgreens.org/node/420

Greens: Obama has joined the GOP war against working people with his announced intention to roll back Social Security and Medicare

Greens urge national protest & voters' revolt over deal by Obama & GOP to cut Social Security & Medicare

Agreement with Republicans would gut key protections for Americans, push retirement savings in the Wall Street casino, and will mean "work till you die" for many working people; it's time for the 'Green New Deal' and a voters' revolt against both parties, say Green Party leaders

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders warned that President Obama and Democratic leaders will betray the American people if they agree with Republicans to cut Social Security and Medicare, and demanded that such cuts be taken off the table.

The Green Party has challenged bipartisan claims that the deficit, rather than the recession and job crisis, is the major economic problem facing the US. Green candidates and leaders have promoted a 'Green New Deal' with an array of positive solutions for the economy and employment (http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2010/08/11/62-green-candidates-endorse-green-new-deal).

Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States: "There are ways other than cutting Social Security and Medicare to end the federal deficit -- ending the three wars, sharply reducing the military budget, raising taxes on the wealthy. A modest raise in the contribution cap for the highest income brackets would keep Social Security solvent. Social Security and Medicare are accounts separate from the federal budget -- they play no part in the deficit crisis. But President Obama, compromising with congressional Republicans and fulfilling his own ambition to 'restructure entitlements', has signaled his willingness to roll back the protections that his party passed in the 1930s and 1960s to give working Americans their financial security and prosperity since the mid 20th century, saving millions of people from financial destitution. The President's deal, which we can count on Democratic leaders in Congress to support, may compel people to gamble their retirement savings in the Wall Street casino. And pushing back the eligibility age will be a 'work till you die' sentence for many Americans, including Black people, the poor, and others with statistically shorter life spans."

Jason Nabewaniec, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States: "It's time for a voters' revolt against both Democrats and Republicans. President Obama's compromise shows he has joined the GOP war against working people. There is no longer any reason to make excuses for Mr. Obama and his fellow Democrats. There is no reason to vote for 'the lesser of two evils' if the lesser evil is so willing to cooperate with the greater evil against the rest of us. Two-party politics is more than a flaw in our democracy. It's a disaster that can only be solved by removing Democrats and Republicans from office and replacing them with Green candidates. Greens accept no corporate money and are committed to maintaining and strengthening Social Security, and to expanding Medicare to cover everyone. Mr. Obama's likely Social-Security/Medicare deal with the GOP is proof that the Green Party is an imperative for the 21st century. If the deal is accepted, it will be time for people to gather in protest in Washington, DC, and throughout the US just as people protested in Wisconsin when Gov. Walker threatened public sector workers and union organizing rights."

Farheen Hakeem, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States: "It's no longer accurate to say we have two parties running the country. We have a single party with an extremist wing called the Republican Party and a slightly less extremist wing called the Democratic Party, both of which have made service to Wall Street and other powerful corporate elites their top priority. Most Americans don't want to see Social Security or Medicare reduced -- but most Americans don't contribute huge campaign checks. Unlike corporations, thanks to the Supreme Court's 'Citizens' United' decision, most Americans don't run endless campaign ads."

Howie Hawkins, Green candidate for Common Councillor of Syracuse, New York and 2010 Green candidate for Governor of New York: "If MoveOn.org and environmental activist Van Jones believe that America's future should be in the hands of Democrats, they're as deluded as Tea Partiers who want a Republican future. President Obama's planned raid on Social Security and Medicare tops off the list of capitulations and betrayals since taking office: escalation of the Afghanistan War and air assaults on Pakistan; a third war, on Libya, in violation of the War Powers Act; continued warrantless wiretapping of US citizens, harassment of whistleblowers, and other legal abuses; plans to build more nuclear power plants, with taxpayers' money, even in the wake of the Fukushima disaster in Japan; plans for more offshore oil drilling despite the BP disaster; a health care reform bill designed mainly to enrich insurance companies, with mandates to purchase private coverage and no reductions in medical costs; embrace of the myth of 'clean coal' and no interference in destructive, poisonous mountaintop removal mining... The list goes on and on, even surpassing President Clinton's fulfillment of GOP agenda."

George Carlin, nonpartisan comedian and social critic (1937-2008): "The word bipartisan means some larger-than-usual deception is being carried out."

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191

Green candidate database and campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml

News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers Ballot Access Page http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus Video Page http://www.gp.org/video/index.php

Green Party's 2011 Annual National Meeting / New York Green Fest http://nygreenfest.org

Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-Green-Fest/71141014224 Alfred University http://www.alfred.edu

Green Party of New York State http://www.web.gpnys.com Directions http://nygreenfest.org/directions.html Green Party Annual National Meeting Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/anmc/index.php

"Trumka: Social Security Cuts Should Not Be on the Table" AFL-CIO Blog, July 7, 2011 http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/07/07/trumka-social-security-cuts-should-not-be-on-the-table/

"Breaking Point: Obama and the Death of the Democratic Party" By Jane Hamsher, FireDogLake, July 8, 2011 http://firedoglake.com/2011/07/07/the-breaking-point/ http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/07/08-3

GreenStream Live: News and discussion on the Green Party's Livestream channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States (Fall 2010 issue now online) http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

Green Party to hold its 2011 Annual National Meeting August 5-7 at Green Fest in Alfred, NY

Greens begin planning for the 2012 elections, including the presidential race

Theme of the meeting: "Building a Green Economy -- No War. No Coal. No Gas. No Nukes."

The Green Party of the United States will hold its 2011 Annual National Meeting at Alfred University in Alfred in western New York, from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.

The meeting will take place at the fourth bienniel New York Green Fest, "a gathering of folks interested in exploring the politics and practices that will help enable us to live in a sustainable world, and sharing a weekend of good discussions, good food, and good music" (http://nygreenfest.org).

"We look forward to meeting in New York, where the Green Party of New York State regained ballot status in 2010 with Howie Hawkin's Green campaign for governor," said Jason Nabewaniec, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and a New York Green.

Green Party leaders will begin organizing for the 2012 election season, including the presidential race. The party will nominate a candidate for the White House at its 2012 national convention. The 2011 meeting in Alfred will also feature Green Party panels, workshops, meetings of the Green National Committee, and other events.

The meeting is open to the media and public. Press conferences will feature Green candidates for public office from across the US, with a special press conference on Friday, August 6, for women candidates hosted by the party's Women Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/women/index.php).

Alfred is about 80 miles from Rochester and 90 miles from Buffalo. For directions to Alfred University and Green Fest, see this web page: http://nygreenfest.org/directions.html

More information about the Green Party's 2011 Annual National Meeting will be announced in the coming weeks.

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN

• Green candidate database and campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
• Ballot Access Page http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus
• Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
• Video Page http://www.gp.org/video/index.php

• Green Party's 2011 Annual National Meeting / New York Green Fest http://nygreenfest.org
• Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-Green-Fest/71141014224
• Alfred University http://www.alfred.edu
• Green Party of New York State http://www.web.gpnys.com
• Directions http://nygreenfest.org/directions.html
• Green Party Annual National Meeting Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/anmc/index.php

Greens oppose 'Via Verde' gas pipeline in Puerto Rico

Green Party supports protesters opposing massive 'Via Verde' gas pipeline through Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's colonial status must be replaced with self-determination and independence, say Greens

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party has joined Puerto Ricans protesting a proposal by Gov. Luis Fortuno to construct a huge natural gas pipeline that would endanger Puerto Rico's communities and ecosystems. Green Party leaders said that the problem of Puerto Rico's high electric bills and dirty air from burning oil must be resolved through alternative energy instead of burning another fossil fuel.

"Everything about the project is wrong, beginning with Gov. Fortuno's Orwellian name for the pipeline -- the 'Green Way' [Via Verde]. A pipeline that threatens people living nearby and damages green mountains is not green, by any stretch. The top contract for the $450 million pipeline has been awarded to a company with no experience constructing pipelines. It's a corrupt deal to benefit a favored corporation," said Rosa Clemente, the Green Party's 2008 nominee for Vice President. Ms. Clemente is Puerto Rican.

The contractor, Gas Natural de Puerto Rico, is also seeking tax exemption, while the bill for the pipeline will be covered by Puerto Rican taxpayers ("Pide exencion contributiva al Gobierno," Perla del Sur http://www.periodicolaperla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2585:pide-exencion-contributiva-futuro-usuario-del-gasoducto-del-norte&catid=81:locales&Itemid=198).

For more information on the serious risks of the pipeline, see "Casa Pueblo: scientific paper on the pipeline," RedBetances.com (in Spanish) (http://www.redbetances.com/component/content/article/51-en-portada/390-casa-pueblo-html).

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=426

Detroit Green Party Public Forum - Green Jobs! What are they? Why don't we have them?

Green Jobs! What are they? Why don't we have them?

Green Party Public Forum

• Derek Grigsby, Co-Chair, Green Party of Michigan
• Frank Hammer, retired UAW activist, Green Jobs advocate
• Michelle Martinez, Sierra Club organizer working on Green Jobs

Saturday, May 14, 6-8 pm, Social Hour, 5:30 pm

International Institute, 111 E. Kirby, Detroit


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For more information, Call Detroit Greens at 313-580-4905

The US and other western nations must honor the Libyan rebels' requests for no military intervention, say Greens

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today warned that western military intervention, now unfolding with air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi's forces allegedly to create a no-fly zone, could escalate into a new US/NATO war on a Muslim nation rather than the stated goal of humanitarian protection for Libyan civilians and aid for rebels.

"Libyan rebel leaders have compared their cause to the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt and expressed their wish for no military involvement from other countries. The resolution of the conflict in Libya should not be led by foreign powers that have an interest in controlling Libya's oil -- the largest reserves in Africa. The military intervention by the US, UK, and France could easily turn into a situation like Iraq and Afghanistan, in which US bombs cause widespread civilian death and destruction," said Romi Elnagar, a member of the Louisiana Green Party and a member of the party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl).

The new Libyan Interim National Transitional Council in Benghazi issued a decree on March 5 stating "we request from the international community to fulfil its obligations to protect the Libyan people from any further genocide and crimes against humanity without any direct military intervention on Libyan soil." (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-08/libyan-rebels-appeal-to-un-for-protection-formal-recognition.html)

Human rights lawyer Abdel-Hafidh Ghoga, spokesman for the National Transitional Council, said, "We are against any foreign intervention or military intervention in our internal affairs... This revolution will be completed by our people with the liberation of the rest of Libyan territory."

Greens said that the intervention could quickly backfire and incite regional outrage against the US. According to the Washington Post, "The Arab League secretary general, Amr Moussa, deplored the broad scope of the US-European bombing campaign in Libya on Sunday and said he would call a new league meeting to reconsider Arab approval of the Western military intervention.... 'What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone,' he said in a statement on the official Middle East News Agency. 'And what we want is the protection of civilians and not the shelling of more civilians.'" (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/arab-league-condemns-broad-bombing-campaign-in-libya/2011/03/20/AB1pSg1_story.html).

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=404

Green Party of Michigan State Membership Meeting, Detroit, March 12-13

Green Party of Michigan State Membership Meeting
Saturday - Sunday, March 12 - 13, 2011


International Institute, American Room
111 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202

Sign in, coffee and catch-up at 8:30 am. Meeting starts promptly at 9:00 am. All Green Party members, supporters and candidates are encouraged to attend.

Agenda includes: Reports from and Elections of all Green Party of Michigan officers. Also, Saturday afternoon will be a Grassroots Tour of Detroit.

On Sunday, we will discuss growing the Green Party in 2010-2011.

For more information on the convention, please contact Lynn Meadows (lynnmeadows@provide.net ) or Fred Vitale at 313-580-4905 or call the GPMI office at 734-633-3555.

US Greens declare support for pro-democracy protesters in Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Algeria, and other nations

Greens condemn US aid to dictators like Mubarak -- some of it used to suppress nonviolent protesters

Green Party 'Egypt in Revolt' page with news feeds http://www.gp.org/egypt.html

"Tunisia: African Greens Federation calls for Peace and Non-Violence" http://africangreens.org/spip.php?article53

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders in the US announced the party's support and encouragement for nonviolent protesters in Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, and other nations in the region who have taken to the streets in demand for an end to corrupt and oppressive regimes.

"The Green Party of the United States supports democracy, here and throughout the world. We hope that the protesters in Egypt succeed in deposing President Mubarak, and we're thrilled to see so many young people stand up against dictators. The best outcome would be for Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to improve economic conditions for their populations and embrace democracy, equal rights and protections for women and for ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities, and freedom of the press. We condemn the brutal responses to the protests, including police violence and the shutdown of the Internet," said Dr. Anthony Gronowicz, 2010 Green candidate for Congress in New York's 7th District and a member of the party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl)

Greens noted that the threatened regimes, especially Egyptian President Mubarak's administration, were propped up by the US for the purpose of serving US interests such as access to oil and other resources, the maintenance of military bases on foreign soil, and unequivocal support for Israel's brutal occupation and apartheid system.

"While the Obama Administration has offered some restrained rhetorical support for the demonstrations, the US continues to send the Egyptian government billions of dollars in military aid, some of it now being used by security forces to beat and teargas protesters," said David Doonan, Mayor of Greenwich, New York, and a member of the Green Party. "For true stability in the region, North African and Middle Eastern governments must serve the interests of their own people instead of the demands of the US State Department and western business."

Egypt is the second largest recipient of US military and economic aid ($1.55 billion in 2010), after Israel ($3.175 billion).

"The young people marching for democracy and freedom in these nations are a model for people in the US. We need a mass opposition movement in the US against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the gross violations of our Constitution in the name of 'homeland security,' and the reckless greed of Wall Street, the insurance industry, oil companies, and other corporations. Let's learn something from the Tunisian protesters: our outrage should not be directed at Wikileaks but at our own government's secret policies and actions that were exposed by the Wikileaks cables, such as the US bombing of Yemen and the attempts to undermine the Copenhagen talks on global warming," said Farheen Hakeem, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN

Green candidate database and campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus
Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus


"President Obama, Say the 'D-Word'" By Mark LeVine, Al Jazeera, January 29, 2011 http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/01/29-4

Egyptian Greens (in Arabic) http://www.egyptiangreens.com/docs/firstpage/index.php

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States (Fall 2010 issue now online) http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

Metro Detroit Greens Meetings to start on January 20th

Detroit Greens are teaming up with Greens in the tri-county area for Metro Detroit Greens Meetings. These meetings give us an opportunity to build on the networking, connections and solidarity we developed in the 2010 elections.

WHAT: Detroit Metro Greens Meeting
WHO: Open to all Greens and friends
WHEN: Third Thursday of each month - January 20, February 17 & March 17, 6-8pm
WHERE: Phoenix Cafe. 24918 John R. Hazel Park, Mi 48030. 248-667-8817



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Agendas will include discussions of the developing political situation and plans for actions. More detailed agendas will be sent out to the same lists before the meetings.

Please invite anyone you think should be there.

Obama's compromise tax package will blow up the deficit, undermine Social Security, say Greens urging House Democrats to vote nay

Tax-cut deal with GOP seals Obama's betrayal of working Americans who elected him, say Greens

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders urged House Democrats to stand firm and do what they can to block President Obama's tax package, calling it a capitulation to the Republican Party that will expand the deficit and undermine Social Security.

"The tax cut is evidence that President Obama isn't compromising with Republicans, he's adopting their agenda," said Howie Hawkins, 2010 Green candidate for Governor of New York and co-chair of the Green Party of New York State. "Greens warned that should the President's tax package pass, Democrats will be the ones initiating the half-century GOP plan to dismantle Social Security. Since the plan extends unemployment benefits by diverting some payroll taxes away from Social Security, it weakens the safety-net for working Americans and defers the financial hit a little bit longer."

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=374

How We Won With 1.4% of the Vote

It was a small victory, but one that begs to be duplicated across the country. Last week Howie Hawkins, the Green Party of New York State's candidate for Governor, polled over 58,000 votes for just under 1.5% of the total for that office. Howie won't be going to Albany with those numbers, but those fifty thousand votes translate into ballot access for Green Party candidates in New York for the next four years.

Now, instead of having to petition their way onto ballots for each election between now and 2014, New York candidates from city councils on up to our 2012 Presidential ticket can spend their time and resources promoting their campaigns. The same thing can happen in Texas, thanks to the Green Party's Ed Lindsay. When he polled 6% for Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Green Party of Texas won continued access to the ballot for the next four years.

Can you help us build similar campaigns across the country?

Last week, just under 55% of American voters saw a Green Party candidate somewhere on their ballot. With the victories of last Tuesday, Green Party candidates in the four most populous states in the U.S. will have access to the ballot simultaneously for the first time in over a decade. Can you help us expand this list, and work toward the day when every Green Party candidate in the country has the same right to the ballot as Democrats and Republicans?

Green Parties from California to Michigan to Massachusetts also won continuing access to ballots in their states. The road to guaranteed access to ballots in 2012 begin today.

Green Party of Michigan Co-Chair
Fred Vitale

Margaret Guttshall for Wayne State University Board of Governors

My name is Margaret Guttshall. I was born in West Virginia in 1950 and grew up in Pennsylvania. I have worked as a waitress, machine operator, clerk, typesetter, and librarian. I went to the University of Chicago, Roosevelt University, and Wayne State University.

I have a lot of experience at Wayne State. I worked as a clerk in the law library in the 1970s and helped organize the first union of employees affiliated with the UAW. I returned to Wayne State to go to library school and got a Masters in Library Science. While I was working on this degree, I worked in the law library as a reference assistant.

I have been an independent political activist for the working class and oppressed people since 1968, participating in meetings, demonstrations, strikes, and independent working class and popular elections campaigns.

Unfortunately, while I was campaigning for Ralph Nader for U.S. president in October, 2004, I was hit by an 18-wheel truck. I spent two months in a coma. When I woke up, I started working really hard - from a bed to wheelchair, from a wheelchair to a walker. Now, very often, I can walk all by myself.

I have become much more sensitive to the needs of disabled people. But I like to call myself 'differently-abled' because I like to look at the positive side of things.

I hope you like the platform and that you will vote for me and the Green Party!

www.margaretguttshall.org

Julia Williams for US Congress, District 12

I stand for the citizens of this district. I aim to improve the economic, physical, and political health of the people who live here. I will fight for the well-being of our families, not banking profits. I support HR 676, 'Medicare for All', rather than mandated profits to insurance companies. And I will demand an end to our 'endless wars., and the suffering they cause.

My name is Julia Williams, and I am the Green Party candidate for US Congress, MI District 12. My district is a large and varied one, with small to large cities, townships, and the 3rd largest city in Michigan. What they all have in common are the distressful situations found nationwide: unemployment, lack of medical insurance/care, loss of homes, cutbacks on essential services, pollution of the environment (water, air, land, food), and a political system that allows these things to happen. My strongest opponent, Rep. Sander Levin, although nominally a liberal, has not supported 'Medicare-for-All', and has recently voted for continued war funding, and against a troop removal deadline.

more at http://juliawilliamsforcongress.com/?page_id=2

Candace Caveny for U.S. Congress Michigan's 10th District

In 2000 I became part of the Green Party because democracy requires that voters have a real choice on the ballot, and not just two choices! Like most voters, I didn't realize the hurdles to ballot access that have been crafted in most states to deny more than two party "choices." The Green Party collected more than 30,000 valid voter signatures to achieve a listing on the Michigan ballot, and must continue to show voter support to maintain this status. I am proud to offer myself as the first local Green to seek the Tenth Congressional District seat, currently held by Candice Miller (R) - this is an historical opportunity at a crossroads point in national history.

read more

Wayne County Board of Elections leaves Green Party candidates off ballot; Voters denied opportunity to hear Green program for jobs

Detroit October 22 -- Wayne County Board of Elections did not place Green Party candidates Dianne Feeley for County Commissioner, 5th district and Louis Novak, County Commissioner 6th district on ballots already distributed to absentee voters.

The Green Party will hold a press conference, Monday, 11 am, in front of the City-County Building, to discuss further steps and to offer our Green program for jobs and economic recovery.

On August 2, per state law, the Green Party submitted the names of five candidates wholly within Wayne County for the November 2 election ballot. They were George Corsetti, US Congress 13th district, Fred Vitale, State Representative, 3rd district, Derek Grigsby, State Representative 7th district, and County Commissioner candidates Feeley and Novak.

It is likely a clerical error, but it is still costly for the county. According to a supervisor at the Board, ballots for both districts will be reprinted and all absentee voters will receive another, corrected ballot for revoting. It is not clear how the office will ensure that all absentee voters have time to mark a corrected ballot. The number of absentee voters in these districts numbers in the thousands and it is 12 days to the elections.

The error has political consequences too. Candidates were not offered the opportunity to participate in the various public forums for their races because they were not on the ballot, reducing further the limited opportunities available to candidates who do not take corporate money.

More importantly, many voters have not been given the opportunity to hear about Green candidates, who offer a popular alternative to the major parties and the "tea party's" bleatings for the past. Green Party candidates have a vision of economic justice -- stop the sheriff's office foreclosures; tax the richest 1% who have benefited from the crisis and use the money to put our people back to work.

Greens are fighting for social justice -- radically revise jail procedures to help young men find jobs and a place for themselves in the community; stop giving away our water resources and develop a county-wide response to global-warming, including energy audits, bicycle lanes and alternative forms of energy. Greens propose to use county resources to discover, along with out communities, the truth about our county's economic situation and ways to address them, to counter the lies of the corporate mainstream media, and, by doing so, help us all work together.

For more information, please contact, Fred Vitale, Green Party of Michigan Co-chair at 313-580-4905 or Derek Grigsby, chair of the Detroit Greens, at 313-706-2985. Or visit www.detroitgreens.org or www.migreens.org

Press Release

John Anthony La Pietra - GPMI candidate for Secretary of State

http://members.triton.net/jalp/jalp4FBE.html

Harley Mikkelson for Governor

Michigan's government is not broken, but it is in need of repair. Years of budget cutting have left Michigan's government understaffed. We need more state employees in order to provide improved services to the people of Michigan. In order to improve services, all of us need to be prepared to make sacrifices. We need to revise our tax system so that we all share in rebuilding Michigan. We need to change our tax system to one where we are taxed fairly on our ability to pay. We should switch to a more progressive Income, Property, and Energy Tax System.

THE GREEN PARTY IS THE PEACE, JOBS, AND, JUSTICE PARTY

Peace,
Harley Mikkelson

US Greens congratulate Australian Greens on election 'greenslide' in Parliament

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States congratulates Australian Greens (http://greens.org.au) on their 'greenslide' in Australia's parliamentary elections on Saturday, August 21. Preliminary results show the Greens will take ten seats in the Australian House of Representatives and Senate.

"The Australian Greens' impressive totals follow on the election of Caroline Lucas, the first Green to Parliament in the UK, in May," said Julia Willebrand, candidate for New York State Comptroller (http://www.juliaforcomptroller.com) and member of the Green Party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl). "It's only a matter of time before the first Green is elected to the US Congress. We need a shock to the two-party status quo in America, the kind of shock we're seeing now in Australia."

"When we get some Greens in Congress in the US, we'll see an enormous change in the direction of America -- a change for the better, since Democrats and Republicans will no longer take their exclusive control over US politics and government for granted. Like Australia and the UK, Americans will have legislators from a party dedicated to human needs, human rights, and the health of our planet," Ms. Willebrand added.

US Greens noted that the Green wins in Australia were a result of Proportional Representation (PR), a democratic reform "whose major goal is to ensure that parties and political groups are allocated seats in legislative bodies in proportion to their share of the vote. For example, a party receiving 30% of the national vote should receive approximately 30% of the seats in the national legislature." (http://www.fairvote.org)

Green Parties in the US, Australia, and other countries support PR and contrast such reforms with the winner-take-all/plurality voting system prevalent in the US, in which a party with a plurality or a 51% majority can sweep an election with a disproportionate number of wins and shut out other parties and the voters who vote for them.

Greens in the US have argued that America is too diverse to be represented by only two parties -- especially two parties with many similar positions and a mutual addiction to corporate contributions and influence. Green leaders also noted that Australians take elections so seriously that voting is compulsory for state and federal elections.

Green Party of Michigan 2010 Slate of Candidates

Candidate	Office
Harley G. Mikkelson	Governor
Lynn Meadows	Lieutenant Governor
John Anthony La Pietra	Secretary of State
Ellis Boal	US House District 01
Lloyd Clarke	US House District 02
Charlie Shick	US House District 03
J. Matthew de Heus	US House District 05
Pat Foster	US House District 06
Richard Wunsch	US House District 07
Douglas Campbell	US House District 09
Candace R. Caveny	US House District 10
Julia Williams	US House District 12
George Corsetti	US House District 13
Aimee Smith	US House District 15
Richard Kuszmar	MI State Senate District 09
Karen Shelley	MI State Senate District 14
Fred Vitale	MI State House District 03
Derek Grigsby	MI State House District 07
Franklin Harden	MI State House District 35
Latham Redding	State Board of Education
Mary T. Wood	State Board of Education
Libby Hunter	University of Michigan Board of Regents
Diana Demers	University of Michigan Board of Regents
Surjit Singh Dulai	Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Margaret Guttshall	Wayne State University Board of Governors
James Arnoldi	Wayne State University Board of Governors
Jason A. Tyrell	Allegan County Commissioner District 07
Neva L. Tice	Allegan County Commissioner District 08
Stephen C. Westin	Allegan County Commissioner District 10
Tom Mair	Grand Traverse County Commissioner District 07
Dianne Feeley	Wayne County Commissioner District 05
Louis Novak	Wayne County Commissioner District 06
David McMahon	Augusta Township (Washtenaw County) Trustee

Green Party of Michigan State Membership Meeting and Nominating Convention

Time: July 31 at 9:00am - August 1 at 4:00pm

Location: Great Wall Chinese Restaurant Meeting Room, 4832 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, Mi 48917 517-327-9500

We will be nominating candidates for local, county, state and federal office to run on the Green Party ticket in the fall election.

We are asking for a $10 registration fee each day, which will include a continental breakfast and a buffet lunch.

Discounted rooms are available at:

Ramada Inn, 7501 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing MI 48917, 517-627-5240

For Sat, July 31, we have a flat rate of $69 plus tax which includes a full breakfast (2 per room), non smoking room either King or Double. This group rate can be extended 2 days prior and 2 days after this date. When calling to reserve your room ask for the group code 'Green'

This offer is guaranteed only until 3 p.m. on Monday, July 26. After that it will be based on availability only.

Questions to Lynn, 734-476-7101 or lynnmeadows@provide.net

Agenda, Fred Vitale, 313-580-4905 or freddetroit@sbcglobal.net

Candidates, John Anthony LaPietra, 269-223-1227 or jalp@triton.net

GPUS condemns the assassination of Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda



GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

Greens urge Obama to press for an investigation, citing obstruction, violence against opposition parties by the Rwanda government

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States expressed shock and sadness over news of the barbaric killing of Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (http://www.rwandagreendemocrats.org). Mr. Rwisereka's body, discovered July 14 after he was missing for several days, showed evidence of murder.

US Greens have joined Green Parties around the world in extending their sincere condolences to Mr. Rwisereka's family and community and the Rwandan Green Party.

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=331

Green Party of US Annual National Meeting in Detroit June 24 - 27



Register for the ANM in Detroit

US Greens congratulate Caroline Lucas, the UK's first Green Party member of Parliament, on her election victory

2010-05-08 Washington, DC -- The Green Party of the United States congratulates Caroline Lucas and British Greens on Ms. Lucas' election to the House of Commons on May 6. Ms. Lucas, the first Green member of Parliament, will represent Brighton Pavilion.

"The election of the first Green to the British House of Commons is cause for celebration among Greens in the US and for everyone who wants to see a new direction in politics and an end to the stranglehold of the pro-war pro-corporate old parties," said Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008 nominee for President of the United States and former member of the US House of Representatives from Georgia. "If Greens can win a seat in the UK, we can win one or more seats in Congress here in America."

While Ms. Lucas is the only Green Member of Parliament, the Scottish Green Party holds two seats in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood and there are two Green members in the London Assembly. 13 Green city councillors serve in Brighton and Hove.

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=315

Green Party of Michigan State Membership Meeting, Saturday May 15 Lansing

Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

4832 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917
map: http://j.mp/ddARwA

Sign in, coffee and catch-up at 9 am. Meeting starts at 10 am. All Green Party members, supporters and potential candidates are encouraged to attend.

The Green Party Annual National Meeting will be held in Detroit, June 24-27 at the same time as the U.S. Social Forum, June 22-26 (www,ussf2010.org).

Please register at www.gpus.org and join us at these exciting events!

The Agenda for the State Membership Meeting May 15 includes:

2010 Elections - Many Opportunities for Greens

Crisis Continues in the Economy and Government - Green Solutions

U. S. Social Forum in Detroit and Annual National Meeting

For more information, please contact Lynn Meadows (lynnmeadows@provide.net ) or Fred Vitale at 313-580-4905 or call the GPMI office at 734-633-3555.

Two fossil-fuel dangers threaten America's economic health, public health and natural habitats: coal and offshore drilling for oil, say Greens on Earth Day 2010

Greens demand an end to mountaintop removal mining, poisoning of water, lethal worker safety violations, and industry corruption and control over government policy

Obama's offshore drilling plans threaten Alaska and the Atlantic coast with public health disasters and devastations of natural habitats

On Earth Day 2010, Green Party candidates and leaders said that coal and offshore drilling for oil represented two severe threats to America's public and environmental well-being, and urged President Obama and Congress to reverse course on both.

"There are millions of jobs waiting to be created in conservation, retrofitting, new and clean energy sources, expansion of public transportation, and environmental clean-up," said Martin Zehr, co-chair of the Green Party's EcoAction Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php). "President Obama promised many such jobs, declaring correctly that they would help jump-start the economy. Instead, we're seeing no cessation of mountaintop removal mining, continued promotion of the 'clean coal' myth, and a new White House plan to open up 167 million acres of ocean along America's pristine Alaskan and Atlantic coasts for offshore oil and gas drilling."

"It's not a matter of only reducing foreign oil imports. The century of global climate change demands that we drastically reduce fossil fuel consumption and replace it with alternative kinds of energy," said Mr. Zehr.

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=311

Greens: President Obama must press Israel to end East Jerusalem settlements

President Obama must put pressure on Israel immediately to stop the construction of settlements and displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Green Party leaders and candidates said today.

"President Obama should send Prime Minister Netanyahu a message: enough is enough. If Israel continues to violate Palestinian human rights, the US must cancel the $30 million military aid package pledged to Israel for 2009-2018. The plan to build 1,600 housing units for Israeli Jews in East Jerusalem is the latest outrage. Although a rumored US abstension from a possible UN Security Council resolution against the settlements would be an improvement over its usual veto on Israel's behalf, this would still be an act of moral cowardice," said Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. (News story on the possible UN resolution: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8591714.stm)

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=307

Green gubernatorial campaigns to watch in 2010: candidates in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio

Several Green candidates have launched campaigns in their states' races for governor in 2010.

The Green Party of California will have a contested primary election for the gubernatorial race, with Laura Wells and Deacon Alexander competing for the nomination, to be decided on June 8.

In recent years, gubernatorial races in some states have given Green Parties high enough percentages to achieve or maintain ballot status and determine the outcome of the election.

In 2006, Rich Whitney and his fellow Greens overcame an attempt by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to keep the Green Party off the Illinois ballot. Gov. Blagojevich spent about $800,000 to block the Green Party. Mr. Whitney drew over 10% of the vote on Election Day 2006 and will be on the ballot in 2010.

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=305

GPMI State Membership Meeting -- February 27-28, 2010

The next Green Party of Michigan State Membership Meeting will be held in Lapeer on Saturday & Sunday February 27,28 2010.

Saturday Feb 27:

10 a.m. - Tour: Willows Environmental Center, 231 Lake Drive (strawbale building with solar panels, etc.)

1 p.m. - Lapeer Ctr: 425 County Center St: Business Meeting, 2010 election planning (BOX LUNCHES available for purchase)

4 p.m. - Eagles Club, 3565 Davison Rd.: Goat Races, Chili & Beer

6 p.m. - Resume Meeting at Lapeer Center, 425 County Center St.

Sunday Feb 28:

Sun 9 a.m. - Best Western, 770 West St: breakfast and meeting, Officer Elections, Campaign Planning, Update on Detroit ANM/USSF

Additional Information:

For "Green Party" discount rooms, call Best Western, 810.667.0006.

Map here

Questions or more info: lynnmeadows@provide.net , 734-476-7101

Local contact: Candace Collins, phone 810-653-5095.

Michigan Greens Say Granholm's Final State of the State Speech Is Disappointing, Short-Sighted, Business as Usual

GPMI Candidates Will Focus on Prosperity and Peace for People, Environment

Members of the Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) are disappointed, though not surprised, by the contradictions between Governor Granholm's talk of a new direction for Michigan's economy and her obvious support of the same old business as usual . . . and the same old businesses.

"Had Granholm stopped after saying, 'Our world has changed, utterly; the old Michigan economy is gone', I would have been left with the surprising impression that I agreed with her," says Art Myatt, a GPMI vice-chair and the head of the partys Platform Committee. "She did not stop. She went on to outline ways to bring back whole chunks of the old economy. Her vision is simply a revived automotive economy that has less automobile manufacturing in Michigan."

"In her final speech on the state of our state, she mentioned the waters of Michigan just once -- and then only as a 'natural resource' to be exploited. There was no mention of protecting those waters, or protecting Michigan's environment at all," Myatt continues. "Earlier this month, her Department of Environmental Quality, on the day before it was to be dissolved, ruled in favor of permitting sulfide mining in the Upper Peninsula, bypassing the legal process in place to contest this permit.

more at: http://www.detroitgreens.org/node/229

Michigan Greens Point Out Disconnects in Obama's "State of the Union" Agenda

The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) has deep concerns about much of the agenda President Obama laid out in last week's "State of the Union" speech.

"As usual, President Barack Obama delivered a polished presentation, but I am forced to wonder if his speechwriters aren't a little disconnected from reality," notes Douglas Campbell, a registered professional engineer in Ferndale, Michigan and a member of GPMI's State Central Committee. "The Democratic Party has had control of the House, the Senate and the White House for more than a year now, yet little or nothing resembling a 'democratic' agenda has been enacted.

"Budget-busting bank bailouts and war funding appropriations have sailed through this Democratic-controlled Congress," Campbell adds. "But instead of withdrawing American troops, contractors and mercenaries from the Middle East, the military operations are being escalated. Guantanamo remains open for business; there is no health-care-funding reform act; and nothing enacted during George Duhbbyah Bush's two terms has been repealed."

"Obama claimed there would be no freeze on Social Security and Medicare, but there already is a freeze this year on both of those programs," says Linda Cree, an active Green Party member in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. "Not only that, last year, for the first time in 30 years, Social Security recipients did not receive a cost of living adjustment because the government felt there hadn't been enough inflation to warrant one. That translates to a two-year freeze already."

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-state.php?ID=295

Michigan Greens Call for Fee-and-Dividend Plan to Let People, Not Corporations, Profit from Reducing Greenhouse Gases

100% of Fees to Be Restored to the People; No Cap-and-Trade Giveaway to Energy Conglomerates

The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) has adopted a resolution supporting collecting fees on fossil fuels based on the amount of carbon in them, with the whole amount collected being paid back to individual users.

GPMI will promote this "fee-and-dividend" approach to reducing carbon dioxide pollution in this year's election campaigns and other activities. The state party will also offer the proposal to the Green Party of the United States (GPUS) for inclusion in this year's national platform.

Art Myatt, current Vice-Chair of GPMI and an engineer working on the manufacture of solar panels, originated the proposal within GPMI. "We believe that resource depletion and excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are two crucial issues which require reduction in the amount of fossil fuels burned," he commented.

"Instead of pursuing war for oil and global economic growth, we need to move in the direction of sustainable, low-carbon local economies.

"A substantial carbon fee, resulting in a substantial dividend, would be a big step for reducing fossil-fuel use and for rebuilding local economies."

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=290

Global Greens call for honest, scientifically sound climate agreement

As the Copenhagen COP enters its second week, the Global Greens today called for an honest climate agreement, based on science not tricky accounting.

The Global Greens are concerned that rich nations are building loopholes into the agreement to give the appearance of strong targets without the reality.

Land-use and forestry in particular are being used as let-out clauses to avoid actual emission reductions, according to the Global Greens Coordination, which includes representatives from Asia Pacific, African, American and European Green parties.

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=274

Greens blast the anti-choice Stupak Amendment in the Democrats' health care bill, predict voter anger and defections from the Democratic Party over the amendment

2009-11-16 Washington, DC -- Green Party leaders today called the Stupak Amendment in the recently passed US House bill on health care reform a disaster for women's reproductive rights and a betrayal of the Democrats' stated support for women's rights and well-being.

The Green Party supports full reproductive rights, including uncompromised access to abortion services for women:

http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/socjustice.html#998980

http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/socjustice.html#1012830

"Michigan Greens targeted Bart Stupak's District One seat in Congress with the candidacy of Jean Treacy, who challenged his opposition to women's rights, including the freedom to choose. The Stupak Amendment is the sharpest blow against poor women and their rights since the Hyde Amendment. It was proposed by a Democrat and passed by a Democratic Congress. We challenge feminists, feminist and progressive organizations, and all Americans who support rights and equality for women to stop supporting candidates who retreat from these principles, and to vote Green instead," said Candace Caveny, Green candidate for the US House in Michigan's 10th District (http://www.candacecaveny.org) in 2010.

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=264

Greens make gains in city council races across the US on Election Day 2009, with a 35% victory rate in municipal elections

Green Party beachhead in California: Greens take a majority of seats on Fairfax Town Council; see Preliminary Election Day results for Greens at http://www.gp.org/elections/2009-videos/november-results.html

'Send a Green to Congress in 2010': Greens will reach out to voters who are disappointed by Obama and Dems but haven't forgotten eight years of GOP misrule under Bush

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party made a strong showing in city council races across the US on Election Day, November 3, 2009.

Greens now make up a majority on the Fairfax Town Council in Marin County, California, where first-place finisher Pam Hartwell-Herrero joins incumbents Lew Tremaine and Larry Bragman. Fairfax becomes the fourth municipality in the US to have a Green majority, following Arcata and Sebastopol in California and New Paltz in New York.

A list of Election Day highlights follows below. For a comprehensive report on Green results for Election Day 2009, visit the Green Party's web site (http://www.gp.org/elections/2009-videos/november-results.html). More results will be listed on the page as they come in.

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=263

Greens Condemn FBI Raid and Murder of Imam Abdullah

The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) offers its condolences to the family of respected community and religious leader, Imam Luqman A. Abdullah.

The Green Party of Michigan is joining the call from Imam Abdullah's family and others for an independent investigation into an FBI raid in Dearborn, MI on Oct. 28 that resulted in Imam Abdullah being shot 18 times and left to die.

We condemn this FBI raid and murder of an innocent man," Green Party of Michigan Chair Fred Vitale said. "The FBI fails even today to bring charges of terrorism against the other people arrested. Rather it and the corporate media make wild accusations; their only witnesses unreliable former criminal informants, dependent on the FBI for food and freedom. It appears that the only charges are those associated with petty crime, and even these were instigated by government agents and grinding poverty.

full press release here.

Green Party candidates to watch on Election Day 2009

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party highlighted several Green candidates running strong campaigns in the 2009 races, with some likely victories on Election Day, November 3.

158 Green Party candidates have announced runs in local and state races. Below are profiles of some of the more promising and prominent candidates, with campaign web site links and some quotes. For information about more Green candidates and information about Green electoral efforts, see:

* Press information for Green candidates http://www.gp.org/candidates/index.php

* Green Party Election Database http://www.gp.org/elections/candidates/index.php

* Greens run for several offices simultaneously in Stamford, Connecticut http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1443

* Ingredients for the success of Green incumbents: Cam Gordon and Alan Brison http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1422

* State Green Party efforts to gain ballot access across the country http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1430

* Green Party of Arkansas Sues to Keep Ballot Status: Claims state rules hurt third parties and voters alike http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1436

* Embedded video clips of Green candidates, other topics http://www.gp.org/video/archive.shtml

* Livestreaming video http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=257

The Green Party announces new national party co-chairs

WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Committee of the Green Party of the United States has confirmed the election of four new co-chairs, Mike Feinstein (from California), Farheen Hakeem (Minnesota), Jason Nabewaniec (New York; reelected), and David Strand (Minnesota); and the reelection of Holly Hart as the party's national secretary.

The co-chairs, who form the party's Steering Committee, are elected by the 200 members of the Green Party's National Committee, which includes delegates from state Green Parties and Green caucuses. The newly elected and reelected Steering Committee members join four continuing members, Jill Bussiere, Sanda Everette, Craig Thorsen, and treasurer Jody Grage.

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=255

Greens to join mid-October protests against US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Green Party leaders, activists, and members across the US plan to participate in mass rallies, marches, coordinated local and regional demonstrations, and other forms of protest to take place on and around Saturday, October 17 calling for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

more at www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=251

In Detroit, Greens will be part of the MECAWI rally on Oct 17 at 1pm at Grand Circus Park

www.mecawi.org

The Green Party responds to Obama's speech: Mr. President, make health care a right for all Americans

2009-09-14 Washington, DC -- ... the Green Party supports Single-Payer/Medicare For All. It has always been in our national platform -- and Green candidates and elected public officials are firmly behind the demand for passage of HR 676, Rep. John Conyers' bill to expand Medicare to cover everyone.

The Green Party says: We can either protect insurance and drug companies and their profits, or we can save American lives and dollars by enacting Medicare For All / Single-Payer national health care. We demand Single-Payer.

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=249



The Green Party appeals to Labor: Democrats have failed working people -- help elect Greens to Congress

WASHINGTON, DC -- Calling organized labor's support for Democrats an "investment that hasn't paid off," Green Party leaders appealed to unions and all working Americans, calling for support for the election of Green candidates to Congress in the 2010 election.

On Labor Day 2009, Greens expressed their solidarity with working people with a call to "come home to the Green Party."

Quotes from Greens:

Howie Hawkins, Teamster (Local 317), Green candidate for Syracuse City Council in 2009 (http://www.howiehawkins.com), and 2008 candidate for Congress in New York, District 25: "The Democrats' attitude towards unions has been 'you have to support us, you have nowhere else to turn.' That's no longer true. Unions and working people have a home in the Green Party."

Matt Reichel, Green candidate for the US House in Illinois, District 5, who will join a Labor Day march sponsored by the AFL-CIO and picket with laid-off public truck drivers next Wednesday at Daley Plaza (http://www.mattreichel.us): "The continued loyalty of unions to Democratic candidates, regardless of Democrats' actions while in office, has proven a disaster for working Americans. The Democratic Party has consistently favored the demands of corporations over the needs of workers. Despite a Democrat in the White House and control over Congress, Democrats have refused to make good on campaign promises."

"Democrats have sent trillions of dollars in bailouts to Wall Street, while offering minimal help to workers, homeowners, poor people, and others affected by the economic meltdown. The Obama Administration, under the influence of pro-Wall Street White House staff like [economic advisor] Lawrence H. Summers, has retreated from the Employee Free Choice Act [EFCA] and from plans for public works projects that would employ millions. Living wages, anti-labor 'free trade' pacts, and the Taft-Hartley Act's curb on union power aren't even on the table. How much more abuse and neglect can labor take?

more at http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=247

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The Greens, in essence, strive for peace, ecological sustainability, fair access to the necessities of life, and human, civil and equal rights. The Green Party of Michigan (affiliated with the Green Party of the United States) seeks to work with people throughout the state, the country, and the world to make fundamental positive changes in our governments, economic systems, and overall well-being. We recognize that these changes can only happen through the wills and desires of free people.

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