Growing a Party

The Green Party likes to complain loudly and often, and in inappropriate settings, that they were banned from the major presidential debates, that they qualified by registering in enough states to have a possibility of winning enough electoral votes.  However, that is not the only criteria.  They must also be polling in 5 major polls with at least 15% popularity - for good reason.  That reason being - without this rule, anyone could go register across the nation and then force her way into those debates.  A madhouse would ensue and the American people would learn even less about the candidates who might actually win.  We might, however, have the makings of a new reality series.

 No, it's not easy getting in the door, or for that matter, to the debate floor - and I am sorry that the Green Party is struggling with this.  Perhaps they need to re-think their method of addressing the situation.  As long as they are acting like angry, disruptive protestors, they are not winning me over.  I doubt they are winning the American public over.  It makes me wonder what their true motive is - to make a statement or to hold an office.  Walking into the political arena of this country and saying "Hey, I know, we will be the new leaders" just ain't gonna cut it. First they need to learn how to be team players.  That is how life works.

Jill Stein and her followers have the right to their opinions and it's supposedly a free country.  That does not give her the right to circumvent the debate rules.  If she wants to change those rules, I bet there is a better way than getting arrested for blocking traffic.  It is not like it was a human rights issue.  Or perhaps it was:  The right of the American people to try to learn who, among the actual contenders, they agree with on the issues.  There were other debates for nearly two years prior to that one where Dr. Stein made her scene and she had plenty of opportunity to get her message out.  The trouble is, she needs more money and supporters to effectively do that.  "Cheating" by hogging the show at the debate, to me, was in very poor form  Again - she needs to work her way into the position she desires - respectfully.  Is she running for President or for Occupier?  She needs to choose one.

I know the Green Party has been around for a while.  In fact, it has a "hippie dippie, leftist" reputation to live down - or perhaps just polish up - before any Green Party candidate has a chance of being elected president.  I'm pretty sure Dr. Stein's recent antics are not solid steps in that direction.  I will say that losing the political party name "Green-Rainbow" was a good step.  Can you just imagine the Marlboro man moseying up to the polls thinking to himself "Yeah, I reckon I will just vote a straight 'Green Rainbow' ticket"?

As a person with the "hippie" name "Oak Leaf" I am saying these things not out of prejudice against "hippies" (God, I sure hope so, anyway), but out of sisterly tough love - hey, people - if you want respect, act respectfully.