From: Jesse Gordon, jesse@MassChange.org,
(617) 320-6989
Proposal: Outreach to Green
Party members based on convergence of the Greens’ “Ten Key Values” with the
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform.
Goal: To enroll
This document: The Democratic
Party catering to the Green Party’s values is not radical from a policy
perspective – the platform already includes every one of the Ten Key Values.
Listed below is a direct side-by-side comparison of the Ten Key Values and existing
clauses in the 2000 platform. The Ten Key Values are numbered as they appear in
Green documents worldwide. The MassDems’ Platform items are numbered with part
number and section number (in the form III:3 for Part
III, section 3) from the official 2000 document.
|
Green Party “Ten Key Values” |
2000 |
|
1. Grassroots
Democracy Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect
their lives; no one should be subject to the will of another. Therefore we
will work to increase public participation at every level of government and
to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people
who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations
that expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including
citizens in the decision-making process. |
We
believe that to ensure equal representation and to restore public faith in
our democracy, we must act to curtail the influence of special interest money
on our political process.... We endorse such proposals as enhance the workability
of the System and the likelihood of candidate participation, and which are
consistent with voter intent. (IX:1) We
strongly support efforts... that ease potential barriers to registration and
voting and encourage maximum public participation. We call on the
Commonwealth to make usability by persons with disabilities, senior citizens,
and others a criterion in the purchase of new voting equipment. (IX:3) |
|
2. Ecological
Wisdom Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are
part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological
balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities
and our planet. We support a sustainable society that utilizes resources in such
a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices
of our generation. To this end we must have agricultural practices that
replenish the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways
that respect the integrity of natural systems. |
We
seek policies that encourage smart and sustainable land uses... We support
thoughtful approaches to development that promote economic prosperity while
limiting environmental impacts. (VIII:4)
We
advocate specific targets for the reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide
and other climate change gases... We support the aggressive implementation of
the state’s utility deregulation law alternative energy fund provisions and
other state and federal renewable energy incentives. (VIII:3) |
|
3. Social
Justice and Equal Opportunity All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit
equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations,
and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism
& heterosexism, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and
equal justice under the law. |
We
believe environmental justice must be a fundamental component of state and
federal environmental policy. (VIII:2) We
oppose efforts that would ban the provision of any benefits to gay and
lesbian families that are now granted exclusively to married couples.(I:8) Commitments
to... older Americans are core values of our Party. (I:6) We
reaffirm our support... to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability
(I:7) |
|
4.
Nonviolence It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to our
current patterns of violence at all levels, from the family and the streets,
to nations and the world. We will work to demilitarize our society and
eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the
intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others
who are in helpless situations. We promote nonviolent methods to oppose
practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions
toward lasting personal, community and global peace. |
We
favor continued multi-lateral reductions to existing weapons stockpiles, and
maximum possible efforts to halt the proliferation of nuclear, chemical,
biological or other weapons of mass destruction. (XI:3) We
champion American leadership for peace and the non-violent resolution of
conflict, the advancement of human rights and the cause of religious and
intellectual freedoms, the eradication of unjust discrimination in all forms,
and the promotion of economic arrangements that maximize opportunity for all.
(XI:1) |
|
5.
Decentralization Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and
economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore,
we support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions
away from a system that is controlled by and mostly benefits the powerful
few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system. Decision-making should, as much as possible, remain at the
individual and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected
for all citizens. |
Our
state and local communities [should] provide the support and assistance
needed for students and schools to achieve these [educational &
institutional] objectives. (II:3) We
assert the responsibility of each of us to support and participate in
volunteer organizations, community service programs, and initiatives designed
to promote community improvement. We acknowledge and commend the work of
grassroots citizen groups who have been responsible for so many advances in
so many just and important causes of concern. (I:12) |
|
6.
Community Based Economics We recognize it is essential to
create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs
and provide a decent standard of living, for all people, while maintaining a
healthy ecological balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful work with
dignity, while paying a "living wage" which reflects the real value
of a person's work. Local communities must look to economic development that assures
protection of the environment and workers' rights, broad citizen
participation in planning, and enhancement of our "quality of
life". We support independently owned and operated companies which are
socially responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that spread
out resources and control to more people through democratic participation. |
We support initiatives that promote healthy
growth, stimulate opportunity, heighten our competitiveness in the global
marketplace, and aid in the continuing transition to a knowledge-based
economy. We know that our Commonwealth depends on the energy and skill of our
private sector to create jobs and prosperity. (IV:1) We
support the creation and maintenance of full-time jobs that provide a living
wage and benefits. (X:2) We
fully support the principle, guaranteed under federal and state law, that
employees are entitled to a free choice to form a union without
interference.... We believe the expansion of collective bargaining assures
workplace democracy and is the best remedy to the crucial problem of wage
inequality that has meant that too many families are not sharing in economic
bounty. (X:1) We
support tax incentives for business when accompanied by commitments to good
corporate citizenship.... (IV:3) We
favor policies that support the growth and health of small businesses, and
which are responsive to their unique needs and concerns. (IV:4) |
|
7.
Feminism We have inherited a social
system based on male domination of politics and economics. We call for the
replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control, with more
cooperative ways of interacting which respect differences of opinion and
gender. Human values such as equity between the sexes, interpersonal
responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We
should remember that the process that determines our decisions and actions is
just as important as achieving the outcome we want. |
We reaffirm our support for The Equal Rights
Amendment... and the principle enshrined within it. We support legislation to
end unjust gender discrimination in insurance terms and rates. We advocate
policies to end gender-based discrimination and disparities in the workplace,
and to improve pension security for women. We call for equal emphasis on
women’s health concerns in health research and safety testing, and for
insurance coverage of contraception.(I:5) |
|
8. Respect for
Diversity We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial,
sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of
respectful relationships across these lines. We believe the many diverse
elements of society should be reflected in our organizations and
decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been
traditionally closed out of leadership roles. We acknowledge and encourage
respect for other life forms and the preservation of biodiversity. |
We
celebrate the diversity of our Commonwealth and country, and we oppose
discrimination in any form it takes. We are proud to stand as the Party of, and the Party for, all people, without regard to race,
gender, religion, language, national origin, age, disability, sexual
orientation, economic circumstance or other characteristics. We have been,
and will be, the Party that is the defender of individual rights, while
remaining the strong champion for the common good. (I:2) |
|
9. Personal and
Global responsibility We encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well
being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social
harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to
foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet. |
We
advocate policies to foster the growth of democratic institutions, elective
government, and freedom of thought and expression around the world. We
recognize the need for heightened American attention with respect to the
concerns and interests of whole regions of the globe. (XI:2) |
|
10. Future
Focus and Sustainability Our actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals.
We seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely disposing of or
"unmaking" all waste we create, while developing a sustainable economics
that does not depend on continual expansion for survival. We must
counter-balance the drive for short-term profits by assuring that economic
development, new technologies, and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations
who will inherit the results of our actions. Our overall goal is not merely to survive, but to share lives
that are truly worth living. We believe the quality of our individual lives
is enriched by the quality of all of our lives. We encourage everyone to see
the dignity and intrinsic worth in all of life, and to take the time to
understand and appreciate themselves, their community and the magnificent
beauty of this world. |
We
support continued efforts to prevent pollution in the first place as the best
means of limiting toxic and solid waste. We advocate an approach in which the
state’s wastes will be stored, treated, and disposed of in ways that prevent
harm to people and the environment. (VIII:5)
We
believe in the protection and preservation of our environment. We support
rules and incentives for safeguarding natural resources and acquisitions of
land, water and recreational resources. (VIII:1) We
give the highest priority to ensuring the health and safety of children,
elders, and immune-compromised people who are most in need of protection from
environmental harms. (VIII:2) |
If
you are interested in recruiting for the Democratic Party within the
Massachusetts Green Party, being familiar with the Ten Key Values will give you
substantial credibility with most Green sympathizers (perhaps not with the
Green leadership – but with the Green rank-and-file). Pointing out how the Mass
Dems have long addressed every one of the Ten Key Values may even win some
converts.
The
Greens received over 170,000 votes (6.5%) in
“10KV
and IRV” -- Compiled by Jesse Gordon, jesse@MassChange.org, (617) 320-6989