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Participation in the democratic process can be both
empowering and great fun. The members of the Iowa Green Party understand
that and will be combining political business with pleasure at their
first-ever statewide caucuses on Monday, Feb. 11.
Greens organizing the upcoming caucuses are feeling the excitement of
newness, rightness, of what their 2000 presidential candidate Ralph
Nader called the "Joy of Justice."
"Our caucuses will be the most fun," boasts party co-chairs
Sarah Davidson and Holly Hart. They note that several county events will
include films and that another has announced an 'all-you-can-eat' party.
The Iowa Green Party is home to the state's most passionate and
cause-oriented activists. "People who register Green in Iowa are
thoughtful and serious about it," Davidson affirms. They believe
that the traditional electoral vehicle for their environmental and
social justice concerns -- "politics as usual"-- has become a
false hope for progressives, too moderate and corporate cash-corrupted
to be salvaged. Better far, they reason, to abandon the stale and
unsatisfying and create a new politics of public interest
activism.
Like other parties' caucus-goers, Greens will of course pursue standard
caucus efforts like candidate endorsements and platform debate. And in
addition to approving local candidates' nominations, they'll be running
a national Congressional candidate, as well. Sheldon, Iowa,Green Michael
Palacek will seek the 5th District U.S. House seat.
While Greens do not have the resources to mount a major gubernatorial
campaign this year, Hart says three members have agreed to have their
names placed in nomination for the office. "We want to do what we
can to maintain our ballot status," she explains. Under Iowa
law, parties must receive at least 2% voter support for gubernatorial
candidates in non-presidential elections to retain official ballot
placement.
Though off-year caucuses generally attract low turnouts, enthusiasm and
commitment to purpose are to be counted in the Greens' favor. Hart
believes their caucuses will "bring out a higher percentage of our
members than the other two parties' will."
Greens are busy re-seeding Iowa's political landscape: new county Green
parties are sprouting across the state as dedicated activists labor to
assemble a long-term, statewide network. Greens have set up sites for
precincts in all of Iowa's 99 counties.
Black Hawk County Green Party Co-chair David Larson is enthusiastic
about Iowa Green Party potential. "Democratic activism down here at
the grassroots-level can lead to national changes," he says.
"We're offering citizens the opportunity to become active agents in
the civic machinery that impacts their daily lives. And we're having a
lot of fun doing it."
"Joy of Justice," anyone?
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Contacts:
Holly Hart, Co-Chair (319) 337-7341; 319) 331-9616 (cell)
Sarah Davidson, Co-Chair ( 563) 853-5813
David Larson, Media ( 319) 233-1216
http://www.greens.org/iowa
iowa@greens.org
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