“We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

Walt Kelly, creator of the comic strip Pogo, wrote that phrase in 1970. He used it in a poster for the very first Earth Day. The message was clear. We are all part of the problem. Becoming part of the solution is our joint responsibility.

Most people have given up on politics. Why?

“You can have the facts on your side, have common sense on your side, have justice on your side-even have a majority of Americans on your side-and still our elected representatives will ignore you and put special interests first.”-Kevin Zeese

Kevin Zeese has tried to be part of the solution for years. Kevin is running for the United States Senate from Maryland. He hopes to be nominated by the Green Party as well as the Libertarian and Progressive Parties. Like Maryland, South Carolina allows this. It’s called “fusion voting.”

The Democratic Party’s main message these days seems to be “We’re not those other guys!” Every day they behave more like Republicans. Not the “small government that stays out of your business” Republicans of yesterday. They are the “Big Government that we control for our own benefit” Republicans of today. The Supreme Court has a Republican majority. They ruled that your property can be taken from you and given to your neighbor. Your neighbor must show that they can make more money with your property than you can. Does that sound like yesterday’s Republican Party?

Democrats? President Bush marched our soldiers into Iraq. Congressman Spratt didn’t make a peep to protest. Taxpayer pork is being handed out. Does Spratt stand up against this corrupting influence? Our area’s air quality takes a nose dive in the summer months. Spratt is silent. This is leadership?

If the Green Party were to run a candidate against Spratt, we would take all the heat if he lost to a Republican challenger. Democrats would “never forgive” us, as if there were something to forgive!

Democrats are attacking Greens because we are running. Some elected Democrats may lose. Isn’t that part of the point? If an elected official doesn’t perform, you run against them. If a party abandons your beliefs, you find another. If you want to grow your party’s strength, you run candidates. Democrats and Republicans need to accept that they are not entitled to your votes. They must earn them. Greens will be a part of that process.

The Republican Party faces this same difficulty. How long will people follow these leaders? They refuse to deliver on their promises. Many an abortion foe will leave the Republican Party soon. The Republicans control the House of Representatives, the Senate, the White House, and the Supreme Court. They can’t end abortion? Of course they can, but they won’t, because the Republican Party leadership doesn’t want to end abortion.

The American people can see through this smoke and mirror approach to government, and they don’t want to be a part of it. But, if we who can imagine a better world work together, we can make it happen. As Kevin said, what else are we to do? Sit around and wait for someone else to do it? Not me. Not the Greens. Take the plunge. Visit us online. Join the party. Join our campaigns. Help make a difference.