Green supporter concerned about “third party coalition”

Editor, Asheville Global Report,

In the last issue, AGR carried a story about three parties, the Green, the Natural Law, and the Libertarian, who are considering acting together on the question of ballot access. As a Green Party supporter, I question whether they should ally themselves with the other two.

The Green Party is progressive on all social issues. They support the rights of workers, women, and minorities. They are pro-environment and are against the corporate takeover of the world. Their nominee for President, Ralph Nader, has been one of the country’s leading progressives for decades, and has earned the respect of millions of people.

The Natural Law Party is progressive on issues about the environment. On most other issues they are good Republicans. For example, they favor ending government funding for abortion, leaving abortion for the well-to-do, but ending it for poor women. They favor an end to welfare, they call affirmative action a necessary evil, and they oppose quotas. Their platform relies heavily on the maxim, “You can’t legislate morality,” thereby relieving them of responsibility.

The Natural Law Party favors meditation, implying that its practice will end most of our problems. They thus attempt to gain a New Age cover for their reactionary politics. They think that business is overtaxed and favor a flat tax much like Steve Forbes. Health care? “American businesses are saddled by the highest health costs in the world.”

Mostly they are vague. Many issues are discussed without them coming down on one side or the other. Sometimes they contradict themselves in the same paragraph, as when they say that the availability of guns has contributed to the rise of violent crime but that they support current gun laws.

The Libertarian Party is opposed to almost every progressive position. They are a pro-business party and repeatedly say that business is overtaxed and over-regulated. They are far to the right of George W. Bush. Here are some quotes from their platform:

“Widespread gun ownership will make neighborhoods safer.”

“Eliminate the US Department of Education”

“The Food and Drug Administration is clearly an unnecessary burden on the American health care system.”

“We should eliminate the entire social welfare system. This includes eliminating AFDC, food stamps, subsidized housing, and all the rest.”

The Natural Law Party’s web address is www.natural-law.org and the Libertarians are at www.lp.org. I suggest that Greens take a look at these sites before working with these parties.

Charlie Thomas
Asheville, NC

Editor’s note: The article “Third party coalition vows to fight for democracy,” in AGR #103, may have overstated participation of the local Green Party in the coalition. Susan O’Neill, a Green Party member, said that Green Party members had not to her knowledge participated in the meeting.

School raises funds for AGR

Editor, Asheville Global Report
We saw your call awhile back for financial support. We love your work in spreading the truth of the common people of the world and have the sincere hope that you are able to continue to do your valuable work. It took us awhile to respond, but we had to wait for a school fundraiser called “edible art café” to raise the money. We use your publication to teach our current events class for kids aged 12-15 at our alternative boarding school. Thanks for all your hard work.

Jim Veteto
Staff Member
Arthur Morgan School
Burnsville, NC