[WB-Discuss] Once again part 1A

[PHWernick at aol.com]

Continued from part1

Once Again on Organization-Where I Stand-Part1A


What is needed is a multi-pronged approach,involving democratic party 
activists, progressive activists who do not vote, liberal democrats,as well as the 
unenrolled and non-voting.This approach leaves open many doors to long time 
political activists as well as newcomers.

This approach means that the GRP as we know it,with a small group, will be 
transforned from its present status. I am agnostic at this point as to whether 
the GRP should try an electoral run in Watertown.It all depends on what basis 
this is done. If it is attempted with a narrow,radical, aproach focusing on 
foreign policy, little may come of such work.If it is attempted,enlisting the 
support of liberal democrats and appealing to a wide stratum of the Watertown 
population, it may succeed.

Were the GRP and GRP in Watertown to function on the basis of having members 
in solid agreement with a clearly defined program, it would be simple to offer 
up the candidate with the most time as a PARTY candidate.Absent this type of 
agreement,it may more or less be an individual decision to run, with the party 
tagging along. I am not in favor of such an approach but if an articulate 
candidate can be found, and a minimum program agreed upon, an electoral campaign 
can be the opportunity to reach out to others and transform the party from 
what it is now.Many people crave the opportunity to be involved in a significant 
political party that can help humanely transform their own community as well 
as having a window to the larger world.The success of the GRP will depend on 
its ability to attract individuals from across the democratic spectrum and not 
strictly along ideological lines.

Local runs at office need to enlist political operatives such as Tony with 
prior experience, though this does not negate input from all in a learning 
experience.In addition, any candidate needs to focus on town  and state issues such 
as housing, municipal services,taxes, and education. Over the summer Alex 
invited us to a town forum on housing and  I was struck by the large attendance 
of a mostly middle class electorate  with seemingly ordinary middle class 
concerns and bread and butter issues that affect their pocketbooks.This was no 
granola crunching crowd.I came with shorts and sandals and a T shirt, but despite 
the stifling summer heat,most of my neighbors were dressed to the nines.A 
small cultural commentary, but one that presages huge cultural and political gaps 
between the GRP and ordinary working people.At one time Tony Lorenzen out in 
Worcester used to talk about this issue. 

The bottom line is that if the GRP seeks to run for office based on notions 
of Imperialism, the war in Iraq, or troubles in the middle east such as the 
ongoing war between Israel/Palestine, it will probably fail. This does not mean 
that Watertown citizens are not intelligent and are not capable of 
understanding worldly issues.It does not negate the introduction of such issues in a 
campaign perhaps in a small way  as part of a larger program.




A cautionary note about replicating the experience of Cambridge and 
Somerville is in order. The demographics in Watertown are vastly different from 
Cambridge and Somerville, with their large student and post student population.And 
although Watertown boasts a large Armenian and middle eastern population, I do 
not believe that focusing on  issues particular to one ethnic group or one 
segment of the population can be a winning strategy over the long haul.Rightly or 
wrongly, citizens tend to compartmentalize and leave foreign policy to 
congressional and presidential races.

Now,the view I have just put out here may seem heretical to some who have 
invested time and energy in sectoral approaches. Let me repeat- what I have 
stated  in no way is meant to detract from the outstanding,magnificent, and 
thoughtful, organizing talents of Wendy and Aram.It does mean that in terms of 
electoral office, I am advocating an approach that runs across ethnic lines and that 
focuses on class interests. Alex pointed out that while the December 4 event 
mentions diversity, it does not include Irish Americans, Armenian Americans,  
Greek Americans , Italian Americans, nor I would add Jewish Americans . 
However, It seems perfectly respectable to hold such an event stressing the 
diversity of groups that have volunteered to be part of  the event and that are part 
of Watertown's mix. And I am sure the middle eastern flavor will be both 
informative and educational.

On the other hand, I would not support an electoral candidate or campaign 
that appealed to ethnic allegiance.As a Jewish American,I might  have tried to 
involve for example the B'nai Or congregation that meets in Watertown, and that  
has financially supported a Palestinian businessman in Watertown. But I  felt 
it was best  to let the organizers go with their own energy and I had no 
intention of trying to alienate others who,after all, are hopefully allies in the 
long struggle for progressive change and peace and justice.

As an example of foreign policy issues that local electoral runs should stay 
away from, I do not believe that zeroing  in on  the middle east war between 
Israelis and Palestinians can be helpful in a local or statewide run for 
office. Moreover, I would not be involved in a local  campaign that focused  on such 
a divisive issue.Many left-liberals,many Green Rainbow Party members, and 
many of the young and newcomers to politics are vastly uninformed of the 
progressive policies of such Jewish groups as Tikkun ,Brit Tzedek, Peace Now and the 
Israeli Left, who have championed the rights of Palestinians.

In certain circles of progressive politics,there is a demonizing of Israel, 
and by implication  Jews who live there, a position  which I have come out in 
public as being opposed to.With all its faults, there is the modicum of 
opposition in Israeli society and the veneer of a democratic culture, utterly lacking 
in surrounding countries in the middle east.This of course in no way excuses 
the present non-humanitarian treatment of Palestinians by the Sharon 
Government.And as a dyed in the wool Socialist, I do not support that government in any 
respect. Similar to the anti-war movement elsewhere in the West, there is a 
progressive movement of Jews in Israel who advocate peace as well as justice 
for the Palestinians.  But a short note such as this one can not possibly touch 
all the bases regarding the protracted armed struggle. Much blood and print 
has been spilled struggling over the issues and it is a vastly complicated one, 
which local campaigns step into at their peril.






At the same time, many progressives are involved with protesting the Patriot 
Act and with protecting the civil liberties of Muslims,and Arab Americans.Such 
efforts seem perfectly supportable and it may be a question  of common sense 
or fine tuning. I suggest that at this stage,the strength or weakness of the 
Green Rainbow Party in Watertown will be its ability to integrate diverse view 
points and come up with a common program that will appeal across the 
board.Lacking such ability, the GRP seems destined to remain a small fringe grouping.

Paul Wernick











 

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