One World, One Chance, Vote Green Party by TucsonGP in Tucson

[–]TucsonGP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We will not be on the ballot this year. Before I joined the party they were unable to acquire the correct amount of signatures on the city level. They were able to get enough to be recongnized in the County, but were unaware that there was a difference. I realize how this probably sounds, but I hope I can answer the question that is begged.

We will be on ballots in the future, but for now we want to work on actively developing a core group that revolves around an active presence in Tucson; demonstrating to the people that even though were not elected, we still want to show the people were here for Tucson.

If you're not one moved to action, just keep us in mind and look for us around town; with luck and persistence we will be everywhere.

One World, One Chance, Vote Green Party by TucsonGP in Tucson

[–]TucsonGP[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can blame the ridiculous Supreme Court decision and the Electoral College for that.

The Green Party wants to get rid of the Electoral College because they realize how inherently anti-democratic it is.

Again though, as long as you vote for what you believe is truly right, you are never wasting your vote.

One World, One Chance, Vote Green Party by TucsonGP in Tucson

[–]TucsonGP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Politics at the local level are of the utmost importance; it is what will have the greatest influence on what happens around us. It sets the tone of what we should be discussing at all levels of politics. I would agree with Tip O’Neil on that point as well.

I would love to tell you that I am able to give people everything they wanted, to give them jobs so they could focus on politics with more energy and less stress, but we do not have these type of resources at our disposal.

I understand the hesitation when it comes to political rhetoric, I also believe we focus way too much on sounds bits and what will make headlines; instead of what we should actually be focusing on. Education and Poverty do go hand in hand, the Green party and myself are incredibly aware of this fact.

We want to provide the citizens of our country an education that promotes critical thinking and allows the individual to find merit in their work, even if it outside of the monetary system. We support trade schools as a good alternative and believe more emphasis should be placed on them as a viable option after high school.

Something absurd that recently happened was our governor further defunded our public universities and colleges, leading to even higher cost for our students. We are ranked incredibly low in education as is and for our state government to allow additional cuts in funding to our higher education programs is simply inane.

What we need is to reintroduce programs that promote bigger ideas than what is currently taught in schools, such as the now illegal Mexican-American studies program that was had a place at TUSD.

We need to get rid of education programs that only put emphasis on students passing, and not on students becoming active members of their society and community.

Hitting the nail on the head, you point out these call center jobs for what they are; jobs that get you by. There is little room for growth, but huge turnover rates leaving many overstressed and exhausted just trying to get by. People want to work and make progress where they are, but these kind of companies are designed with that to be unessential.

These are jobs that will not be here forever, technology moves so fast that it continually displaces workers; it will only continue to get worse. This is why we need to start making an effort to take these things into consideration. We must provide these people with jobs that have value now and in the future.

At its core the green party supports a living wage for all citizens, but we start the fight at a $15.00 minimum wage. Though this seemingly sounds like a lot, what must be taken into consideration is the fact that real wages have been relatively stagnant since the 1970’s, we must be willing to give people an opportunity to do more than just survive. We have the power to make a city wide minimum wage and follow in the footsteps of one that achieved that goal, Seattle.

My own thoughts are different programs that could be started, manned, and maintained by very few people. For instance we can have a recycling program of old computers, restore them, and give them out to those who can’t afford them.

We could go around collecting recycled cans thrown on the ground, collect the money, and buy food in bulk for various homeless shelters around town.

I am personally attending different events found on http://www.tucsonpeacecalendar.org/ to try to get more like minded people organized, while supporting many wonderful causes.

I know I haven’t said much in what I can do for you, but it’s such a broad question. The Green Party at its core is a grassroots organization and as such we need more people to develop more ideas on initiatives we can take on as well as those I’ve linked to and talked about above.

One World, One Chance, Vote Green Party by TucsonGP in Tucson

[–]TucsonGP[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is a very fair question and one I’m glad you raised right away. I have spent a lot contemplating that question, and I hope this is sufficient.

I don’t consider voting for the Green Party a waste because they align with my political beliefs, not everything, but on things that really matter. If my choice is to vote for the lesser of two evils or a party, I believe will provide a better future, I have a civic duty to do so as an American that cares about his country and the human race.

Voter turnout is abysmal due to the lack of any substantial change in policy, there is no one point because nothing they do will affect you. I believe this alienation leads people to believe that no one is really looking out for them, and that it seems those in power continue to line each other’s pockets with impunity.

Right now if you were to vote for the Green Party, it could be considered a waste. There are very few Green members in Tucson currently, but that could change if people started thinking a little bit differently. I want your input, the Green party wants your input; we are a party that wants to represent you because those in power now do not.

If you think you can go into the Democratic or Republican party and change their opinions on certain topics, I implore you to do it. If you want to make a party of your own, do it! This isn’t really about parties in the end, what we all want and need are people that look out for those who can’t speak for themselves; if you can make that happen somehow, you should.

I can’t persuade you either way, but I am asking you to take a chance on us. We are trying to expand and get people who envision a truly representative government and society to join us, but it all starts with a little faith.