|
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Contacts:
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator, 207-326-4576, nallen@acadia.net
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
The 2004 debate over Iraq and other major issues is
not Democrat versus Republican, but Green versus the war parties, say
Greens.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green leaders charged that the
national debate, especially over the war on Iraq, will not be between
President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry, and that Democrats have
surrendered their position as opposition party to the Greens.
Green candidates competing for the party's presidential
nomination, as well as independent candidate and possible Green endorsee
Ralph Nader, are seeking the support of Americans who opposed the invasion
and occupation of Iraq and intend to persuade other voters that Bush,
backed by Republicans and most Democrats, misled them into an unnecessary
war.
"A vote for either Kerry or Bush is a vote for
war," said Tony Affigne, co-chair of the International Committee of
the Green Party of the United States. "The debate over Iraq in
the 2004 election is not Democrat versus Republican. It's Green
versus the war parties."
Greens noted other major election year issues on which
President Bush and Sen. Kerry generally agree:
-
Sen.
Kerry and most of his Democratic colleagues voted yea on the USA
Patriot Act, which Greens call a serious assault on constitutional
rights. (Greens also note that the October 2002 vote by
Congress, including Sen. Kerry, to surrender war powers to the White
House violated the U.S. Constitution.)
-
Sen.
Kerry has endorsed the Bush Administration's support of Sharon
policies in Israel; Greens have condemned Israel's recent grab of West
Bank lands and murders of Palestinian civilians, called for Israel to
adhere to international law and U.N. directives, and supported
initiatives from Israeli and Palestinian peace groups.
-
Neither
Bush nor Kerry offers strong initiatives to stem catastrophic global
climate change; Greens have called for a renegotiated Kyoto Accord
with more comprehensive measures, especially for reversing the global
addiction to fossil fuels, and with the U.S. as signatory.
-
Both
Bush and Kerry support international trade authorities which
frequently overrule local and national environmental, labor, and human
rights protections; Greens have called for international trade
agreements that strengthen local democracy and economic autonomy,
environmental protections, and workers' rights.
-
Both
Bush and Kerry would continue to permit control by HMOs, insurance
firms, drug manufacturers, and other corporate lobbies over U.S.
health care, including prescription drugs; Greens propose a
single-payer national health insurance program.
For further comparison of Green with Democratic and
Republican positions, visit http://www.therealdifference.org/,
http://www.therealdifference.org/issues.html,
and
http://www.therealdifference.org/issues2.html.
MORE INFORMATION
The Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1711 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
FORWARD 2004! Green National Convention & Presidential Candidates
http://www.gp.org/convention/process.html
Media credentialing for the convention
http://www.gp.org/forms/media/
search: elct, prty, cmp |
