[statecom-discuss] Green-Rainbow Party Press Release: GRP leaders respond to Constitutional Convention

[Merelice]

Hi,

I'm not sure I'm clear on what a condemnation of the Democrats is
supposed to accomplish, to whom it should be addressed, and how we
reach that audience. (Actually, by stating strongly that the
legislature failed -- as this press release does -- isn't that a clear
condemnation of the Democrats?)

I'm reminded of Lyndon Johnson's earthy observation: "Any jackass can
burn down a barn; it takes a real carpenter to build one." I'm less
concerned about burning down the Democrats' barn and more concerned
about becoming carpenters. It seems to me that (as I suggested for the
StateCom's meeting agenda) the GRP still needs to determine a program
and strengthen an infrastructure that will make us relevant to our
present and potential constituencies.

When we are clear, specific, and EFFECTIVE about what we can offer,
folks will see for themselves where the Dems fail. Until we can
seriously offer an alternative, condemining the Dems will come across
more like whining.

Merelice

On 1/3/07, John Walsh <jvwalshmd at gmail.com> wrote:
> Let me begin by saying that I congratulate Grace and everyone else for
> their work on this statement.  That is the good news.
>
> But I find that Grace's statement is inadequate in the same way that
> her debates were.  Where is the condemnation of the Democrats?  Where
> is the call to dump them for betraying the people and their own rank
> and file who overwhelmingly support single payer.  (At the Dem state
> convention single-payer always has the support of a big majority when
> votes on it occur.)  The word "Democrat" does not appear once in this
> statement - but the Democrats are the adversary we face and whose base
> we are competing for in solidly Dem Mass. I find Wendy's statement
> comes closer to the tone that we need but I feel that she should have
> condemned the Democrats in addition to what she said.
>
> Where is the militancy?  If you do not fight, you cannot win.
> Sweetness and light may endear us to the establishment media, but they
> do not let the people know that we are willing to fight for them.
> jw
>