In an election where everything is almost decided, an invitation was extended to the Green Party of the US to present their viewpoint. We have decided to extend this invitation taking into account the lack[or almost lack] of opinions in the Mainstream Media of the Libertarians and Greens.

 Mr. Scott McLarty [Media Coordinator for the Green Party of the United States gracefully accepted our invitation to the interview.  

1. What are the challenges facing the Green Party of the US?

The two biggest challenges we face are

(1) the public perception that we live in a two-party «system» in which only two parties’ candidates are worth voting for;

(2) state ballot-access laws designed by Democratic and Republican candidates to privilege their own candidates and hinder alternative party candidates. The Green Party and Green candidates also refuse to accept corporate contributions. The D and R parties and their candidates receive generous campaign contribution checks from corporate PACs, which give them a big advantage.

2. There are people who scoff at the word «Revolution» in the USA saying it applied to Latin America and Europe. What is your response or the response of the GPUS to these people?

The Green Party of the US supports a nonviolent political revolution that will make the US more democratic, give us a fair economic system, end racism and other kinds of systematic injustice, stop endless war, and give us the means to end the climate crisis. Perhaps this is more of a transformation than a revolution. Either way, it needs to happen or we’ll face a slow deterioration during the rest of the 21st century, especially as we face the mounting effects of global warming.

3. What relationship would exist between the Armed Forces and the Green Party US should the latter come to power via an election? 

The US needs the Armed Forces for basic self-defense. That means a vastly reduced military that can deal with border threats, which seldom occur. None of the military ventures of the past few generations has had anything to do with self-defense. We need a drastic reduction of military spending, especially contracts for weapons, with such funding redirected to human needs. We also call for elimination of nuclear weapons and we join Global Greens in seeking a nuclear-free world. The Green Party supports full funding for military veterans and veterans’ services.

4. Dr. Stein talks about a Revolution in America. What is the type of Revolution that the Green Party USA desires in America?

See my response to Question No. 2.

5. The Green Party exists in different parts of the world. What is the difference between the Green Party in Europe, Central [Costa Rica] and South America [Colombia, Argentina], Australia, and North America [Canada, USA, Mexico] in goals and methods for a society? 

There are some deep differences among Green Parties in these countries. Mexican Greens, for example, have supported the death penalty and corporate-friendly free trade agreements, both of which the Green Party of the US strongly opposes. I’m not well informed enough to compare all the Green Parties in your question. I can refer you to our International Committee if you want.

6. There has been talk about the ACA [Affordable Care Act] or Obamacare, Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare. What is the GPUS position on Medical Reform and how will they be implemented in a Green Party government?

The ACA is deeply flawed. It was drafted by Democrats with the help of insurance industry representatives and designed to maintain profits and control for insurance companies. It also fails to impose price controls on drugs. The remedy for the ACA is a Single-Payer national health care program, which the Green Party supports, and which makes health care a right for everyone. For more information on Single-Payer, visit the web site of Physicians for a National Health Program (http://www.pnhp.org). Getting Greens elected to Congress will bring Single-Payer a lot closer to enactment.

7. What is the position of the GPUS with regards to Immigration, Latin America, Puerto Rico, and Auto Determination for the States and Peoples within the USA? 

The Green Party supports full human rights, asylum, amnesty, and an easy path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The flood of immigrants from Mexico seeking a better life in the US were fleeing economic displacement caused by NAFTA, which plunged whole villages into unemployment and poverty. The solution should have been (and should be) a renegotiation of NAFTA so that it upheld workers’ rights in all participating countries. The mass immigration of children from Honduras was caused by the social breakdown and violence that were triggered by the 2009 coup, which the US tacitly supported. We should always welcome refugees fleeing violence in other countries — especially children. The Green Party supports self-determination for the people of Puerto Rico and wherever people are seeking self-determination.

8. What is the position of the GPUS with regards to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East? 

This question is too broad and would require a few pages to answer. You can read the Green Party’s positions on foreign policy in our platform: http://www.gp.org/democracy_2016#demForeignPolicy  

9. What is necessary to consolidate the Green Process in US besides the Presidential Elections? 

We need ballot status, well-organized state and local Green Parties, lots of qualified Green candidates to run in local and state elections, strong outreach, and a dedication to fundraising. We especially need to bring in lots of young people from diverse backgrounds and communities — which is already happening.

10. I would like to know about the energy policy from the GPUS. 

See the Green Party Platform (http://www.gp.org/ecological_sustainability_2016/#esEnergy) and the Green New Deal (http://www.gp.org/green_new_deal).

11. Will there be a coalition government with other parties in USA? 

We’re not far enough along in our growth to consider ideas like a coalition government. Greens elected to public office have often worked in coalition with other parties’ elected officials on specific legislative goals.

12. The Republicans and Democrats appear to be afraid of the Greens and other political parties. Why is that?

They want a political field that’s permanently limited to the two parties of war and Wall Street.

13. How does the GPUS define freedom?

I think Greens would define personal freedom to mean the ability to pursue one’s desires and goals (to the extent that they don’t hurt others) and live one’s life without coercion from state and corporate authorities. I think that Greens also consider the right of workers to organize and the right of everyone to enjoy good health care to be freedoms too.

14. Is there any message for our readers in the world before closing? 

Visit the Green Party’s web site to learn more about us: http://www.gp.org

I would like to thank Scott McLarty for taking time from his busy schedule to explain the Green Party US platform to voters who have not decided who they will vote for and to those not familiar with them.

In a Republic and or Democracy, no voices are irrelevant.

Everyone has a right to be heard in order for a person to make a choice based on information and on their conscience.