THE RULING CLASS PARTIES VS. THE GREEN PARTY 

By Scott J Raskiewicz

Mr. Raskiewicz is seeking the Minnesota Green Party endorsement for US Senate

There are two basic ways to organize all human relationships, including the structure of society... 

America's two ruling class parties have structured our society on a hierarchical model that promotes selfishness, greed, short term thinking, and contempt for the greater good. This model is based on domination, subordination, and exploitation. Those in the dominant classes, supported by the two ruling class parties, have created economic and other systems that channel nearly all wealth and power to the upper rungs of the socio-economic ladder. This leaves the majority with little or no wealth and little opportunity to obtain the economic security needed by all people to discover, nurture, and become their best selves. Because this system opposes the well-being of the majority it must be propped up by lies and a variety of deceptions and diversions. This task is performed, with great effectiveness, by the two ruling class parties and the ruling class owned corporate media cartel. The domination-subordination exploitation model also relies on dividing Americans into special interest groups. This has prevented the majority from recognizing their common interests, uniting, and creating an authentic democracy to benefit ALL Americans. The results of the domination subordination-exploitation model are evidenced by the wide variety of problems facing our nation, problems which the ruling class, and the two parties they control, show little interest in solving. 

The Green Party supports a different societal model. The Green Party supports an egalitarian model--equal legal, economic, and political rights for all. Rather than behavior based on selfishness, greed, short-term thinking, domination, subordination, and exploitation the Green Party supports mutually beneficial cooperative behavior. The transition to this model would benefit ALL Americans, those now living and those yet to be. It will also ensure the well-being of the natural world upon which we all depend. This model will lead to a variety of pro-democracy public policies including public banking and media, publicly financed and democratically controlled health care and elections, economic decentralization, and other policies to benefit ALL Americans. 

This analysis is not to suggest there is no difference between the two ruling class parties. Clearly, one party is more reactionary and belligerent than the other. However, both ruling class parties support policies that place the interests of Wall Street, Córporate cartels, militarism, and the ruling class ahead of the interests of democracy and the American people. 

The two ruling class parties have shaped American society for decades. It is clear they operate according to the inhumane and anti-democratic values of Wall Street, corporate cartels, and militarism. The Green Party supports human values, values that will allow ALL Americans to discover, nurture, and become their best selves in service to their potential and society as a whole. 

In the contest between the ruling class parties and the Green Party, the choice is clear. It is a choice between an inhumane and anti-democratic status quo and a new political model that ensures authentic democracy and liberty and justice for ALL. 

By Scott J Raskiewicz

The Minnesota Green Party

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The current pandemic of COVID – 19 shows the weakness of our corporate-driven, for-profit health care system (rather, I should say health care non-system), and why we need a single-payer health care system.

I do not mind my tax money providing health care for the poor and working poor.  But I do mind my tax money subsidizing HMOs. Minnesota's HMOs have turned a deaf ear to small business restaurant owners trying to provide health insurance to their employees, many of who have been laid off. Those small business owners are just asking for an extension, and the insurance corporations will not listen.

The mental health care clinic I work at has therapists providing therapy by teleconference. We do not know if the insurance corporations will pay for teleconference therapy.  Usually, they do not.  But due to responsibility of care, the clinic is committed to provide therapy regardless of payment from insurance corporations.

This clinic I work at is fortunate to have an endowment to get us through this pandemic, but what will happen to clinics and small business restaurant owners who do not have an endowment? This is why we need a single payer health care plan that puts people before profit.

Amber Garlan

Green Party of Minnesota 

mngreens.org 

 

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On March 13th, 2020 the Cordale Handy Foundation spearheaded by Kim Handy Jones in the picture above whose son was killed by the Saint Paul Police Department held its 3rd annual Rally & Banquet. The Rally was held Friday night just one block away from where Cordale died after being fatally shot by the police. Mothers and family members from around the country who have lost a loved one to police traveled to Saint Paul Minnesota to participate in the social justice events over the weekend. On Friday Mothers, family members and activist spoke about the devastating damages and consequences of police violence on Black and Brown Communities

Eric Garner's mother pictured above in the Red shirt spoke about how the powers that be demonize victims of police violence to try to justify the killing of innocent community members. Her son Eric Garner was killed by the NYPD  This caused outrage across the country resulting in a new national dialogue around police brutality. Hearing her speak about her journey to get justice was a motivating experience. 

Participants were encouraged to stay involved in organizing around racial justice issues such as police brutality and to stick together in these turbulent times. The family of Justus Howell who was shot in the back two times and killed by the police in Lake County Illinois in 2017 was on hand to connect and share their story about the kind of human being Justus was. The family also spoke about how Zion police have maintained that a handgun was found at the scene of Justus Howell’s death, but eyewitnesses speaking to the Chicago Sun-Times have said they saw no weapons recovered by police. 

Attendees of the rally enjoyed a meal from Manyana who painted a mural of Cordale on the side of their restaurant where he died. The energy in the room was exciting and a sense of unity was in the air amongst the participants. The family of Alton Sterling who was killed by the police in Baton Rouge in 2016 was in attendance and explained the circumstances leading up to and the challenges the faced after the killing of their loved one in Baton Rouge Louisiana by the police. 

Our youth deserve justice and spoke out about it giving the crowd some words of encouragement during the event. Many times children are adversely affected by police brutality cause in some instances they are witnesses of the brutality. This traumatizes urban youth for years and causes distrust between Black communities and law enforcement at an early age. 

Diamond Reynolds and her daughter who are also survivors of police brutality  gave inspirational statements at the rally. Several other mothers and families spoke about the struggles they face fighting the criminal justice system in the quest for answers and justice. After the dinner & rally supporters marched down the street where Cordale was killed for a memorial and balloon release. The rally & memorial was a great start to a wonderful weekend of social justice. 

The next evening a banquet was held at the DoubleTree in Roseville Mn. Ms. Kim Handy Jones has given out headstones to families who have lost a family member to police violence this is her 3rd year in a row doing so. BLM Minnesota activist Monique Cullars Doty was this year's keynote speaker and gave a great inspirational message. There is no blueprint or manual of what one should do when they lose a family member to the criminal justice system. However, having a support system and network like the one the Cordale Handy Foundation is building will become a pillar in the United States social justice movement for years to come.

URGENT POLICY CHANGE REQUEST ~ TO ACCOMMODATE THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY 
DECLARATION MADE FOR MINNESOTA HEALTH SAFETY ~ AS IT APPLIES TO 
CURRENT MINOR POLITICAL PARTY PETITIONING PRACTICES AND REQUIREMENTS*

TO: Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan; Secretary of 
State Steve Simon; the State Senate’s Government Finance and Policy 
and Elections Committee; and the State House’s Subcommittee on Elections

On March 11 the World Health Organization designated coronavirus, or 
COVID-19, a global pandemic. On March 13 President Trump declared a 
U.S. national emergency. Additionally, on March 13, Governor Walz 

announced a peacetime emergency here in Minnesota. As of today, March 
14 the Minnesota Department of Health has so far confirmed 21 cases of 
positive test results for people having coronavirus.

Gov. Walz has put forth a series of “community mitigation strategies” 
which include asking Minnesotans to avoid large gatherings, to do 
their work from home if possible, and to avoid being within six feet 
of contact of others at smaller gatherings to limit interactions as 
much as possible.

In exactly 60 days the state’s three minor political parties (the 
Libertarian, Independence-Alliance, and Green Parties of Minnesota) 
are given their limited two-week ballot access nominating petition 
signature gathering window. Each party must collect several thousand 
signatures during the last two weeks of May (only) to place candidates 
onto the fall general election ballot, something these three parties 
have done consistently every election cycle for decades.

The environment suddenly exists that makes this process an inherent 
health risk to not only the individuals who do the petitioning but 
also to the citizens being approached who get asked to sign a 
nominating petition. Petitioning requires constant and voluminous 
face-to-face interaction.

For scope, each of the 3 minor parties in Minnesota intends to dispatch dozens of volunteers 
to go door-to-door to gather 2000 signatures for President, 2000 
signatures for US Senate, 500 signatures for each of the 6 Minnesota 
legislative races we have planned, plus a 50% cushion. To find these 
10,000 willing signatures often requires knocking on over 5 times as 
many doors. We are already seeing in other states where petitioning is 
currently underway, people are avoiding petitioners (rightly so) which 
is doubling or tripling the number of door knocking interactions needed.

With the health and safety of all Minnesotans being paramount during 
this outbreak, as well as to maintain fair elections, we hereby make a 
formal request to Governor Walz, Secretary Simon, the State Senate 
Elections Committee, and the State House Elections Subcommittee to act 
immediately to suspend the physical petitioning requirement and/or the 
current filing deadline which is currently set as June 2, 2020.

An efficient solution already exists, if acted on, in proposed bills 
SF752 (companion HF708). Introduced in 2019 and amended in 2020 (via 
H0708A2) these bills remain stuck in the listed committees. If passed 
it would allow our political parties who have achieved over 1% in the 
last state wide vote to put candidates onto ballots using internal 
party process, such as by convention endorsement, or by filing fee, or 
with a deadline extended to mid-August (around the time of the state 
primary, 77 days prior to the general).

Enacting these proposals will change behaviors for (the only) three 
minor parties that exist in Minnesota. This will result in preventing 
hundreds of thousands of face-to-face interactions soon.

Please act now to preserve public health alongside fair elections. 
Let’s not hurt one in the name of the other. We look forward to 
working with the Governor, the Secretary of State, and other state 
officials to prioritize the rights and the well being of all 
Minnesotans.

Signed March 14, 2020;
Chris Holbrook, Libertarian Party of Minnesota Chair
Phil Fuehrer, Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota Chair
Trahern Crews, Green Party of Minnesota Chair

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MINNEAPOLIS – On Tuesday, February 25, the Green Party of Minnesota held its 2020 Presidential Caucus, which was the first of the Green Party Presidential caucuses in the country in this election cycle. Rank Choice Voting was the voting method, however, Dario Hunter won in the first round with 81% of the vote. Candidates were encouraged to send in a 2-minute video about their campaign platform Dario Hunter appeared in person and spoke about his vision for America.

Delegates will be chosen and awarded at the Green Party of Minnesota Summer meeting in June. Greens from across the Twin Cities participated in this festive event. The Resolutions that were adopted are as follows: The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee proposal to Make Minnesota a Sanctuary State. Minneapolis city council member Cam Gordon proposal on Rank Choice Voting Local options and Statewide Legislation. Community Activist Lee Parker proposed renaming a stretch of the I94 Freeway to the Rondo Corridor. Green Party member Henry Helgen from Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light proposed 100% Clean Energy in Minnesota by 2030.

Dario Hunter with Vice President of the Minneapolis Park Board Latrissa Vetaw and Minister Toya Woodland.

Two Green Party elected officials spoke including Minneapolis city council member Cam Gordon talked about how Green Policies are gaining ground like a Green New Deal for the city of Minneapolis. Minneapolis Park Board Vice President Latrissa Vetaw spoke of working toward 100% pesticide-free parks throughout the city.

Candidates seeking the Green Party endorsement also delivered powerful messages. Darnella Wade who is running for state representative in District 65B, Minister Toya Woodland who is a candidate for U.S. representative in the 5th district and Scott Raskiewicz who is running for U.S Senate against Tina Smith.

We congratulate Mr. Hunter on his victory and are excited about all the candidates running as Greens in Minnesota during this 2020 election cycle.

On February 20th, 2020 The Chair of the Minnesota Green Party came together with the Chairs of the Independence Party of Minnesota Phillip Fuehrer and the Libertarian Party Chris Holbrook who organized the day's events with the help of MN State Senator Scott Jensen in effort to get more ballot access for third parties. A press conference was held before the committee hearing on the issue at the Minnesota state capital. 

Trahern Crews explained that voters want more choice on their November ballot and that this bill will cause more people to participate in our democracy.

CHIEF AUTHOR NOTICES User: Paul Carlson Hearing Date: 02/20/2020 Time: 1:00 p.m. Room: Minnesota Senate Bldg. 1200 From Cmte: State Government Finance and Policy and Elections (Committee) Bill Author: Senator Jensen Bill Number: S.F. 0752 Subject of the bill: Major political party designation thresholds modification; nominating petition requirements modification; political party.

Watch the MN Senate Hearing Here: Ballot Access Minnesota Senate Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: MN Green Party Darnella Wade

Darnella@MNgreens.org

February 04, 2019

The Minnesota Green Party is partnering up in the fight to end political oppression!

In a state with some of the worst disparities, we need ballot access that allows for the participation of all independent political voices. We can’t be the change we want to see if we must compromise by running with parties that don't share our values. The strength of the two-party system isn’t earned - it's only due to the many laws which have been written over time to create barriers to participation, eliminate opportunities to challenge established power, and built up a system that has primarily served to provide a disproportionate political voice for monied interests at the expense of the people forced to live under the unequal and unjust laws it imposes.

The Ballot Access Inclusiveness Bill, which has been proposed for years, was officially authored, sponsored, and filed on January 30 in the Senate by Sen. Jensen (R-47) and on February 1 in the House by Rep. Elkins (D-49B)!

This bill would do the following:

• Reduce the threshold for major party status from 5% currently to 1% or 2%
• Expand the minor party ballot access petition window from 2 weeks to 2 months
• Modernize the petition used by minor party candidates to collect signatures

How You Can Help

Be there with us! A press conference to announce the Ballot Access Inclusiveness Bill will take place at the State Capital this Thursday, February 7 from 12:30 - 1:00 PM in Conference Room B971. Let's pack the room with supporters!

We also need you to call or email your State Representative and State Senator to tell them this bill deserves a committee hearing and to be voted on by the full bodies of each legislative branch. To find your representatives, look them up at https://www.gis.leg/iMaps/districts/.

Numbers speak volumes. Tell a friend and any press contacts you have. It's time to level the playing field. You can be part of it.

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On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a group of over 60 prominent American citizens called for a full investigation into Reverend King’s assassination.

Read more.

Green endorsed candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner District 4 Megan Kuhl-Stennes filed as a candidate Friday, June 1st. Filing took place at Hennepin County Elections (downtown Government Center).

It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of Rhoda Gilman earlier this week at the age of 91. Rhoda was quite simply the Grandmother of the Green Party of Minnesota and was an important Minnesota historian and committed radical political activist to the end.

Born in Seattle, Washington, in 1927, Rhoda came to Minnesota in 1952. She became a researcher at the Minnesota Historical Society in 1958 and held positions there in the publications, education, and research divisions. Among the projects she accomplished was a textbook of Minnesota history for schools statewide, which was separately published as "The Story of Minne-sota's Past".