[Iowa-dx] A vision for IAGP's future...

[Richard Johnson]

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:26:03 -0600, "Green PartyRon"
<greenpartyron@hotmail.com> said:
> I understand your viewpoint, Jim, but actually, my personal opinion is
> that if we just respond all the time to current, as well as potential,
> issues, by publically promoting our Green Party platform as the
> obvious countering solution to the typical political ratchet-jawing and
> thoughtless partisan legislation, then it will quite possibly come to
> the forefront that Green Party, itself, is the solution to our political
> problems.
> 

This would seem to be a good plan.  Where our platform speaks directly
to an issue, it could be quoted, and then expanded upon as needed to
provide a full rebuttal.  Where the platform does not speak directly to
the issue we could make a strong argument by applying the principles
outlined in the platform and showing how the logical extention can be
made to the issue at hand.

However, we need to realize that on any number of issues the application
of our platform and our values might lead two sincere people to two
differing conclusions.  Wendy and I saw this on the CAFO issue.  She has
advocated for local control, believing that the grassroots approach is
best for dealing with the issue, and that the people in a given
county/community would be best able to control these operations.  I
advocated for a mixed approach of both strong central control through
uniform enforcement of laws, coupled with the ability of localities to
enact tougher restraints if they chose.  I saw this as providing a
consistent floor for all citizens (and for the operators of the
facilities) that would prevent the development of "CAFO ghettos" in the
more sparsely populated counties or in counties where corporate farms
held an inordinate amount of clout. 

Both positions can be supported by referencing our platform and our
values statement.  And I am certain that this is not the only issue that
could play out this way.  In the end Wendy and I listened to each
other's arguments and, given that we both wanted to protect the
environment from corporate exploitation (a common Green value if there
ever was one) the "difference" resolved itself quite well.  However, if
we had been two candidates for separate offices, each making our own
appearances and setting our own positions, it might have looked at first
glance as if we were on opposite sides of the issue.

Our platform and the Key Values are important foundations for our
efforts.  We need to be familiar with these documents and able to
articulate clearly how they apply to the situations citizens face in the
state.  This could help keep us focused and speaking with a common goal
while permitting different articulations of the positions to demonstrate
the wealth of creativity we would bring to the table in implementing our
agenda.

Rick

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