The two-party system: Similar final product....

....and similar final smell! Too good a pic not to share!

Thanks to the Texas Green Party for the graphic!
--
Daryl Northrop

It's the obligatory Earth Day post!

It's fairly unavoidable being labeled as an environmentalist if you are a Green Party member. But do I live in a solar powered tree house?

No.

I like electricity, I like cars, I like modern doo-dads made of plastic and other such high-tech space age materials.

My environmentalism goes something like this: I know that I, and every other living thing, depends on the earth for life. Period. So we shouldn't poison our earth, because we are literally poisoning ourselves and those that we know and love.

Also, many folks if you ask them "Are you an environmentalist?" reflexively answer "no" because they think of people who live in solar powered treehouses or espouse other radical views. They are not asking the right question.

The correction question is:

Do you want an environment tomorrow that is as clean, or cleaner than the environment today? If you reflexively answered "Yes, of course, that's the most sensible statement I've ever heard" then congratulations! You're an environmentalist, and may not have even noticed it!

The next big issue is, now that you have identified yourself as an environmentalist, is your political party and are your candidates in line with your environmental values? The Green Party has been environmentally conscious since day one.

Does this describe you?

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 which 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 practice agriculture which replenishes the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.

 Just some things to think about. Happy Earth Day!

Post Grad School Plans

Hey all -

As grad school comes to an end, I look forward to many things:

0. Spending more time with my wife!
1. Sleeping - this has been far too rare an occurrence over the past two years
2. Reading things I actually want to read.
3. Devoting more time to Green Party activities.
4. And lets not forget....getting to start paying my student loans!

But most of all, I look forward to working with my fellow GSPM grad's as we go out into the world of politics. I really have been privileged to work and study with some amazing people. 

I have been working to change the world for the past 10 years with my activity in the Green Party, and I am just getting started!

--

Daryl Northrop

Follow me on Twitter @DarylNorthrop

Greens helping Greens

As a soon-to-be-graduating student from the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University is to help my fellow Greens and regional Green Party's (DC/VA/MD).

In the VA area, I am working with the Northern Virginia Green Party to help them get their message out. Right now, they are more focused on issue work, as opposed to electoral, which is fine. The chapter has recently started to get more active again, and it will take a bit of time to grow membership, energy, and finances to a point where supporting candidates for local office is viable. I look forward to helping them use email, twitter, facebook, youtube, and other tech tools to help them with the strategy. Helping them get control over their message and get the message out the community and press is something I think is vital!

Over in Maryland, the U.S. Senate race to unseat Senator Mikulski is heating up! Natasha Pettigrew, a Maryland native, and law school student at University of Miami has decided that it is time for Marylander's to stand up against the two party system - she is currently meeting with local Green Party's across the state, and working to earn their ballot. Today, she was in Baltimore, meeting with the Baltimore Green Party, and she will address other party groups in the near future. Natasha's energy, drive, and respect for the citizens of Maryland will make her a great candidate, and I look forward to assisting in her campaign!

2010 will be a busy year for me and my involvement with the area's Green Party groups!

--
Daryl Northrop

What does it take to grow the Green Party?

Money helps!

So does votes, volunteering, and sharing your views with people you know. But, one of the easiest political actions to take is to donate a small amount, $5 or $10 a month, to a political party standing up for real progressive values. In other words, real American values.

Why does the Green Party need your money? It's simple. The Green Party does not accept any funds from PAC's, corporations, or unions. We put people first! Your small, regular donation can make a difference.

Greens understand that everyone has many demands on their money - housing, healthcare, education, and more. The Green Party is working to make all of these things more affordable, and accountable to you, the citizen.

Will you help?

--
Daryl Northrop

2010 Green Party Annual Meeting: Detroit June 24-27

Hello everyone! The Green Party Annual Meeting is set to be held in Detroit, MI on June 24-27! Delegates from across the nation will gather to decide  Green Party policy, ideas, strategies, along with having a great time. Democracy is the order of the day, and delegates from our 45 state chapters will be working hard to give Americans more (and better) choices at the ballot box!

Plus, if that does not satisfy your need for democracy and social justice, the US Social Forum is going on at the same time! Visit this link for more info on that event.

More info on the Green Party Annual Meeting:

The National Committee of the Green Party of the United States will meet from June 24-27, 2010, in Detroit, Michigan.  The first three days of the 2010 Green Party Annual National Meeting will run concurrently with the U.S. Social Forum, a gathering of thousands of activists organizing people’s solutions to economic and ecological crisis.  When you register for the 2010 Green Party meeting, you will automatically be registered for the U.S. Social Forum.
You can register for the meeting here, reserve lodging here, and see the schedule of events here.
As the event gets closer, news and updates will be posted to this page, which you can find on the front page of the Green Party’s website, www.gp.org.
E-mail office@gp.org or call 1-866-41-GREEN with any further questions.  Please come back and visit often!

The Green Party is hard at work for Democracy in the United States. Remember, Greens serve only one special interest group: Citizens!

--

Daryl Northrop