Ecological Wisdom * Social Justice Grassroots Democracy * Non-Violence Green Party of Michigan www.migreens.org ** News Release ** January 25, 2006 For More Information, Contact: ----------------------------- Sylvia Inwood, Chair/Green Party of Michigan e-mail: chair@migreens.org John Anthony La Pietra, Media Committee/GPMI e-mail: jalp@internet1.net [for future reference, please send correct/current contact information (e-mail, fax #, contact person) to jalp@internet1.net] Post-Address Statement by the Green Party of Michigan (After Granholm “State of the State” & Republican Reply) ======================================================== The people of Michigan know the state of our state. Folks need jobs good enough to sustain a good economy. They yearn for integrity, for deep change in how the system operates . . . and for whom. They want to vote for something more than the lesser of two evils – or the bigger of two corporate tax cuts. Michigan needs a party *of* the people – a party inspired *by* the people – a party working *for* the people. But a party can’t be *for* real people and working families if it’s parked in the deep pockets of corporations that see human beings as just another kind of profit center. A party can’t be *for* small farmers and consumers if it feeds at the trough of agribusiness and factory-farm special interests. A party can’t be *for* the little people if it’s hooked on big money. A party has to choose sides. We’re on *your* side. We’re the Green Party of Michigan. Greens believe healthy people and a healthy economy go hand in hand. Statewide universal health care boost our economy more than throwing billions of tax dollars at big corporations whose purpose is creating profits for themselves, not jobs for us. Healthier people can raise up a healthier economy: energy-efficiency, renewable energy, fuel economy, organic and sustainable agriculture . . . instead of genetically modified organisms and the espionage-industrial complex. Greens understand that true progress in education in Michigan requires a commitment to deal with the poverty which stands between our students and their birthright of knowledge. We oppose the gross inequities of current state education funding. And we resist unfunded Federal mandates that leave no child classtime for learning creative thinking and cognitive skills . . . or privacy from high-pressure military recruiting. Greens say the people’s votes and voices should speak louder than special-interest money and privilege. We’ve been working to clean up vote fraud in Detroit . . . to defend community organizers in Benton Harbor against trumped-up charges . . . to bring trustworthy voting equipment and election systems to Michigan, and make sure all votes in Michigan count – and are counted. That can bring fair elections – where all people have a chance to run (and win), and a reason to vote. Elections must be clean, too. Greens call for fair and equal public financing of all campaigns – so candidates have to pay attention to those of us who vote with our ballots, not our checkbooks. Until that happens, we’ll go on asking our candidates to reject all PAC money. Greens remember how Attorney General Granholm once advised a governor about the need to protect the people’s water rights. But Governor Granholm has ignored her own advice. All we’ve got to show for it is a lame proposal on out-of-state water diversions . . . diverting attention from the need for serious protection against cut-offs, contamination, or commercialization. Greens recognize that giving taxpayer money to corporations doesn't create more jobs, just more profits. Still, both big parties stick with the same failed strategy. The same money, invested directly in the people’s business, could create 10,000 state jobs. But the people’s business gets left undone. Greens across Michigan – maybe in your community, maybe even on your local City Council or school board – will keep doing that work. Fighting discrimination and injustice (yes, they still exist). Protecting citizens’ rights to peace, privacy, passive resistance against illegal arrest . . . and polling places with plenty of working, verifiable (and accessible!) voting machines. Making sure corporate profiteers know that the water of the Great Lakes State is not a commodity for sale, but a precious resource that belongs to the people. Restoring trust in state government – starting with enforcement and reinforcement of campaign-finance, disclosure, and ethics laws. The future of Michigan can be a healthy, sustainable economy . . . a healthy, open democracy . . . a healthy, free people. That future belongs to the people of Michigan. Let’s go get it – let’s build it – together. The Green Party of Michigan. We’re on *your* side. # # # For more information on the Green Party of Michigan, and Green issues and values, or to find out how you can see the Greens’ pre-recorded video response to the “State of the State”, visit: http://www.migreens.org # # # created/distributed using donated labor Green Party of Michigan 548 South Main Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-663-3555 ----------------------- GPMI was formed in 1987 to address environmental issues in Michigan politics. Greens are organized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in 79 countries on six continents. Each state Green Party sets its own goals and creates its own structure, but US Greens agree on Ten Key Values: Ecological Wisdom Grassroots Democracy Social Justice Non-Violence Community Economics Decentralization Feminism Respect for Diversity Personal/Global Responsibility Future Focus/Sustainability
Other Contacts:
Green Party of Michigan
548 S Main St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-663-3555
info@migreens.org
posted to web 26 January 2006