Web Log
Jan 26, 02:47 AM | Author: jane kim | Category: politics
why i care about the democratic party as a green
Tonight, I went to my second DCCC (Democractic Club Central Committee) meeting. This was my first meeting as a Green.
Interestingly enough, I’ve probably been to no more than 5 Green Party meetings. I am a bad “party” person.
I went to support the re-chartering of one of the Democratic Clubs that I appreciate and respect- the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club. I respect this club because their leaders and members represent the kind of Democrats that I believe in, ones that uniformly denounce the death penalty, capitalistic wars and support increased inclusionary housing and public finance reform legislation. They also support the candidates that they believe would best serve the progressive interests of this city, even if they’re Green.
This year, application for re-chartering included for the first time a party loyalty oath, asking clubs to say they would never support any non-Democrat for any elected or appointed position anywhere, even local, non-partisan races. The Milk Club rejected signing this oath. Read more the Bay Guardian editorial here
Many may wonder (as I’m sure several DCCC members did), why I as a Green Party member, care about the re-chartering the Harvey Milk Club or why the DCCC should even listen to me. It’s because I am part of a growing number of young people that are joining the Green Party or declaring “Decline to State” but identify Democrat on the national and state level. Really, it’s the only hope that many of us have to push a liberal agenda nationally in this country. We vote Green on a local level (and not even consistently) and we vote Democrat on national or statewide elections on the same exact ballot.
Now, a little history- I spent 9 years as a registered Democrat. I voted for Gore in 2000 and supported Kerry in the last election, although rather reluctantly. I walked precincts for the Democratic Party in the last two CA “special” elections in 2005 and 2003.
Prior to running for office, I never gave a second thought about my party registration. I didn’t care about party politics. I supported whichever candidate I felt would best support the interests of my community. Sometimes they were Green, sometimes they were Democrat and sometimes they were Independent. Most of the time, it was no one.
I decided to register Green in 2004 because suddenly my party affiliation mattered when I became a candidate. (In fact, in my last ballot as a Dem, March 2004, I voted for a few of the DCCC members who I saw tonight). I joined the Green Party because I have the luxury of living in San Francisco where you can join a viable, alternative party that firmly stands for progressive values (albeit a little too environmently focused). I could honestly say that every candidate in my party denounces the death penalty, the war in Iraq and supports gay marriage. I couldn’t say that as a Dem.
In another city or state, I might still be a Democrat.
One of my major hesitations of joining Green is that I thought the Green Party was whiter than the Republican Party. And even though I held their values, I didn’t want to be a part of a Party that doesn’t truly represent communities of color. But then someone asked me, ‘what has the Democratic Party truly done for communities of color in the past 15 years?’. And I came up empty. Don’t be decieved, I went to the DCCC meeting tonight, and they weren’t exactly the rainbow coalition either.
After I joined Green, I talked with my friends, who are primarily organizers and activists of color in the Bay Area and a surprising number of them, were registered Green (you wouldn’t know that there are actually young people of color who are Green if you went to any Green party event or meeting). A bunch of folks that worked on my campaign also registered Green. We just never talk about party affiliation. Don’t get me wrong, I also had many friends of color who were firmly Democrat and criticized my decision to join the “White” Party.
But one of the few things that “party” people don’t realize, is that a lot of people now, don’t think twice about their party affiliation. Many of us younger folks register this or that, but we care about the ongoings of all parties because they all affect the progressive policy agenda.
At the end of the day, I don’t care about furthering the agenda of any party. I care about organizing young people and I care about organizing our low-income communities and communities of color to fight for political and economic empowerment. But, I do step up when I feel that partiy politics affect this agenda.
On a last note about the Milk Club- I respect an organization that doesn’t holler “party” first and the community second. They endorse the candidates that they feel would best serve the community. We all know that voters depend on clubs and newspapers to decide who to vote for. There are so many intiatives and candidates that all speak “liberal-talk,” it’s hard for the average voters to decipher who would serve their best interest. The Milk Club is one of the most influential clubs for voters who conisder themselves progressive. To always endorse Dem’s or leave “blank slots” would be a disservice. The DCCC had a chance to vote tonight whether they cared about the “party” first or serving the community and being a party that people can trust.
I would leave the Green Party if they demanded that I only support Green candidates. We got to work together. We live, so to speak, in the same house. Even if Greens won seats nationally, what bloc do you think they’re gonna vote with? Probably the Dems. Well, the Dems who aren’t disguised as moderate Republicans.
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Sometime around 955 days ago, Barry Hermanson said:
Hi Jane:
Well said. Unfortunately, there are many in the Green Party that behave just like those in the Democratic Party who are trying to push the Milk Club out. I believe that the general public, associate environmentalism with the Green Party. That is good, but I continue to work to build a political party that is a strong and effective advocate for economic and social justice. I’ve been working this last year to raise the minimum wage for more than 2 million workers in California. Next week, there will be a press conference regarding the effort to qualify a minimum wage initiative for the November 2006 ballot. Since raising the minimum wage is a core issue for the Democratic Party, I have invited the leadership in Sacramento to take center stage at this press conference. I’ve asked them to respond by this Friday morning if they will be participating. I will let you know.
Barry Hermanson
Green Party Candidate For The California State Assembly, 12th District
www.barryhermanson.org
415-255-9494
Sometime around 949 days ago, Pietro said:
If a bunch of Democrats went to a Green Party meeting, they would be accussed of infiltrating the party and trying to take it over. They would be viewed with suspiscion and rancor.
The Democratic Party is a “big tent” party with many factions, which is why someone with Green politics can be admitted and allowed to speak, and why Democratic Party clubs occassionally endorse Green candidates.
But the feelings between the parties are not mutual. I still remember in 2000 trying to convince some idealistic Nader supporters who had come to my doorstep that they were helping Bush get elected president. I was told that I was a cynic and urged to “vote my conscious.”
Most Green Party members see the Democratic Party as quite similar to the Republicans. It’s generous of the Democratic Party—and very much in the spirit of the Party—to admit Greens to its meetings. But I don’t think the Green Party will ever reciprocate. I can’t imagine Democrats being welcomed at a Green Party meeting. Why is that?