A rough list of useful talking points for Greens who speak to reporters during (and before and after) the Green Party's 2004 National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Use freely, add local issues, mention specific ideas, make these talking points personal.
From the Media Committee of the Green Party of the United States
Vision Statement:
Greens around the world share a vision of a peaceful future in which all people live in a safe and clean environment; have access to healthcare, education, housing, food and jobs; and participate actively and regularly in government. Through an engaged citizenry, safeguarded by equal protection under the law, another world is possible.
The Green Party is...
The Party of the Future:
America needs an independent, non-corporate political party now more than ever.
Greens are building a lasting, people-powered, solution-oriented electoral force in the United States that accepts no corporate funding and is beholden to no corporate interests.
The Fastest Growing Political Party in the World:
In the US, Greens have won 44% of elections to date this year; the party has grown by 30% since 2000; Greens hold more than 200 elected offices across the country.
The European Greens made history this year as the first and only European Union wide political party. Greens Parties are now organized in more than 100 countries, on every continent, to build our vision of a better world.
The Party of Solutions:
Greens are winning on the issues that improve people's lives:
Standing up for human rights: Green Mayor Jason West received international acclaim for performing same-sex marriages for 25 couples in New Paltz New York.
Promoting peace: Greens marched in anti-war demonstrations across the US, joining millions across the planet in protesting the Bush Administration's war on Iraq. Green elected officials successfully passed 25 resolutions against the war on Iraq
Protecting freedom
Greens officeholders passed 22 government resolutions against the US Patriot
Act.
Reinvigorating politics
Green San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzales attracted
national attention with his near-win in the runoff election for Mayor. Green
candidate for California Governor, Peter Miguel Camejo, raised the level of
debate in five statewide and one nationally televised debate.
Protecting health
Maine State House member John Eder passed "an act to protect
children from cancer causing chemicals," which was signed into law by
the Governor
Bringing democracy to the
ballot box
with instant run off voting initiatives, ballot access for third parties,
and challenging unverifiable electronic voting schemes.
Increasing minimum wages; restoring neighborhood open spaces; converting city buildings and bus fleets to renewable energy sources
ADD TO THIS LIST OTHER GREAT THINGS GREENS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OR ARE ACCOMPLISHING NOW!
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The Green Party Call to Action
ADDRESS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
End fossil fuel addiction
Convert to safe, clean energy (solar, wind, fuel cells)
Restore and strengthen the Kyoto Accord
MAKE HEALTH CARE A RIGHT
Implement single-payer national health insurance: guaranteed quality health care for everyone
Protect public health (e.g., ending toxic and nuclear waste dumping; closing incinerators)
Address the dangers of genetic modification, toxic chemicals and other public health threats
Protect women's right to choose
SUPPORT WORKING PEOPLE
Living wages
Support union organizing and democratic workplaces
Repeal Taft-Hartley restrictions on organizing
Strengthen the social safety net
Enact fair, progressive tax plans instead of handouts for corporations
Ensure global democracy instead of global corporate power (NAFTA, FTAA, IMF, World Bank)
Enact public works projects
Maintain public ownership of water and other necessities instead of privatization
Support for local business and local economies instead of big business and Wall Street
Support homeowners, renters, and the homeless instead of big landlord and real estate interests
Support family farms instead of agriconglomerates
BRING DEMOCRACY & JUSTICE TO THE UNITED STATES
Enact election reforms: instant run-off voting, proportional representation, cumulative voting, clean election programs, public financing of elections
Guarantee that everyone's vote is counted: verifiable paper records of votes, no more voter disenfranchisement
Repeal the USA Patriot Act
Ensure adherence to the US Constitution: uphold freedoms, human rights, equality, and privacy
Abolish the Electoral College
Change the legal status of corporations: human rights are for humans
Broaden voter participation and ballot access; problem solving at the community level
Hold elected officials accountable
PROMOTE NONVIOLENCE
Lead the opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq
Ensure adherence to international law: Geneva conventions; the UN Charter; treaties
Promote negotiation and nonviolent resolution in trouble spots like Israel-Palestine
Promote a national peace economy: transfer military funding to social needs, defund outer-space missile defense schemes
Demand an end the War on Drugs
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The Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
Green Party Platform
http://www.gp.org/platform.html