The Green Party is a US political party formed in 1991, known for its stance on environmental responsibility, universal healthcare, a living wage, non-violent conflict resolution, and social equality. It opposes the death penalty and advocates for government involvement to prioritize people over corporations.
In the United States, the Green Party is a national political party formed in 1991 from former state organizations. It doesn’t carry the same weight as groups like Democrats or Republicans, but it does have clout in elections. For example, many Democrats attribute Al Gore’s failure in the 2000 presidential election to the popularity of Ralph Nader, a Green Party candidate. Nader was thought to have stripped Gore of some of his votes, as he received votes not only from members of his own party but also from more liberal Democrats.
The Green Party gets its name from its stance on environmental responsibility. Members support sustainable methods of agriculture, business and transportation. They support the use of alternative fuels and laws that provide greater environmental protection. In this way, they oppose the “big business” consumption of fossil fuels, deforestation to build homes, the destruction or plundering of natural habitats to create products, and any other practice that harms the Earth’s already fragile environment.
Furthermore, the party is committed to the development of universal health care. Members are quick to note that many workers cannot get affordable health insurance and that this is a right, not a privilege, that should belong to everyone. They have criticized both Democratic and Republican candidates for being less than accountable in addressing the health care needs of the US population.
Linked to the importance of making health care available to all is the Green Party’s insistence that all workers should be afforded a realistic living wage. In most states, the minimum wage is not actually a living wage, producing extreme poverty even for those who work full-time. This concept of a living wage is not only found in this party’s philosophy, but also among some liberal Democrats who have advocated for a realistic living wage for many years. The Green Party also aligns with working people, meaning it believes that most workers bear the brunt of taxes, while those with deeper pockets avoid taxes through a variety of loopholes. Members advocate higher taxes for wealthy individuals and businesses to pay for a variety of programs that promote social equality and justice.
The Green Party has also strongly opposed US involvement in Iraq. In almost all cases, members believe that solutions to friction between different countries should be addressed through non-violent means. They also value freedom of choice, along with a broad respect for cultural, social, and religious differences. Members typically support a woman’s right to choose, gay rights to marry, and the right of any person in the United States to practice or not practice religion.
When it comes to crime, green politicians focus on crime prevention by investing in social programs to help uplift and educate those most likely to commit crimes, such as minorities in severe poverty. The party strongly opposes the death penalty due to members’ inherent respect for human life after birth.
Many dismiss the Green Party as “bleeding-hearted liberals”. Even among Democrats, the leftist stance of party politics often causes unease. Some fear that the party wants nothing less than socialism or communism. It is true that the Green Party advocates government involvement, placing more value on people than corporations. Where their politics lean towards socialism, however, members are still supporters of the political framework of the United States, particularly with regards to the rights and freedoms defined in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
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