[GNC] What is the GRP goal for the convention and campaign?

[Wanda Boeke]

Hello, all,

I think this is a good time for us, who may be meeting with others at the
national level for the first time, to think about what we're about on all
levels. Thanks for starting this ball rolling, Jim, and Mike for clarifying
his own vision.

Personally I agree that we need to be conscious of all the levels, as Mike
is. I also agree with Jim that we really need to have more and more
candidates become legislators or council members or whatever the position
is they're running for. You never lose, it's true, when you run, even if
you don't gain the position you were running for. The actual running of a
campaign is probably something our broader membership really needs to see,
though.

Most of the time through my local as well as when I've been out collecting
signatures or tabling, I find that GRP members at large as well as
non-members have little idea what the GRP is about or that it even exists,
in the latter case. Neither have much of an idea of what's happening on the
national level. I think one of the most effective ways to give voice and
face to our beliefs is through running candidates. I feel in many
instances, and more in the future, that our presidential nominee will be
able to lend support to more local candidates.

As for the movement thing, this is much more broadly based - our 'movement'
includes so many others who may at the moment be in other political
parties. Our concerns are so far-reaching, they touch everyone, in fact.
That's why I think that by bringing the focus on candidates through
specific campaigns, the public at large can see that there is a push for
legislative change inside the houses, senates, councils, select boards,
school committees, draft boards wherever they are. Without a broader
awareness of issues (of which movements are made), there would be no
foundation for a candidate to rely on. However, I think it's a mistake to
think that the GRP itself is a movement or capable of across-the-board
issue advocacy - mostly due to,yes, those laws that forbid certain workers
to engage openly in partisan activity. This can only be done by social
activism through groups such as the many peace and justice groups, election
reform groups, environmental groups, women's groups, so-called minority
groups etc. etc.

So, for me, the GRP means getting back in touch with the public out there
by tabling at events and running candidates, by increasing votership and
continuing to set up local clubs and eventually town committees that can
actually raise funds as well as awareness that there is another
political/legislative alternative.

In addition, I support issue-work wholeheartedly, and would be involved in
it even if there were no such things as political parties. But, since there
are, I think we have to be, yes, very much aware of what makes up a fair
process and hold our candidates on whatever level, but in this case
particularly nationally, accountable to what our national/state platforms
are. The end does not justify any means.

What I like most of all about the GRP and GPs all over the world is that
they have a single set of principles that don't deviate. This is what I
tell folks who are interested in finding out more about the state or
(inter)national parties. Unlike candidates in other political parties who
can basically switch positions at any time or whose parties represent
amorphous, every-changing values and goals, our GRP and GP candidates
actually are trying to fulfill a huge and honorable mandate in very short
order. They will share this with one another no matter where they are in
the world. A party without borders, speaking a universal language.

Wanda Boeke
boeke at berkshire.net
413 997-2108