What happened to the Green Party?
Times-Standard
Article Launched: 01/03/2008 01:17:09 AM PST
The history of the United States is littered with third parties that
for a few years attain great publicity and attention, then disappear
from sight. Mostly they are populated by people espousing fringe
philosophies, though occasionally some of these ideas are adopted
years later by the two mainstream parties.
Until recently we had a vibrant Green Party in Humboldt County. They
were everywhere and were a force to be reckoned with in some local
elections.
But the most recent figures from the office of the California
secretary of state show a dramatic decline in registered Green Party
membership. While the total number of registered voters has remained
fairly constant, as of Dec. 7 there were 3,660 registered Greens or
4.94 percent in Humboldt County versus 5,396 or 7.05 percent just five
years ago.
Many of the Green Party members I knew were committed, sincere and
dedicated individuals who strove to not only live the ?10 Key Values,?
but wanted to offer a viable alternative to voting Democrat or
Republican. And while I have been a lifelong Democrat, I admired their
fighting spirit and resolve.
Where did they all go?
Jim Ferguson
Whitethorn
