NORTH CAROLINA GREEN PARTY OCTOBER 2024
"JUST IMAGINE ... Honesty, Integrity, Intelligence, and Accountability in the White House" ~ Butch Ware
While we’ve been enduring another travesty of a US political election dominated by the two corporate parties, it's also been thrilling to watch the Green Party seriously breaking through to attract more voters’ attention. We’ve wondered in election after election how long it would take the now 69% of people who say they want a viable third party to realize that THEY are the real driving force for that change. Excuses from Democrats for not enacting any major progressive legislation since 1965 have worn thin, and in our view, the pathetic offerings by the nominated candidate at their August convention of domestic “joy” and foreign “lethality” were enormously shameful.
What becomes the tipping point for our citizenry? For too long, a suffering public has accepted being ignored on vital issues, and only served up more fear and injustice, economic insecurity and environmental decline … you know the list. You’re living it. Battered about by the D and R politicians time after time, our options as voters become a scenario which Jill Stein has likened to an abusive relationship, and quite so. You’re faced with the same kinds of choices: cling loyally and hope things get better (hope & change myth), be guarded but stay and work on problems (reform from within myth), or leave and reclaim your dignity. Breaking free of the corrupt two-party system is what Greens are bravely doing, firmly standing upon their values and taking responsibility in forging a more just and sustainable future.
The “fabric” of our Red/Blue politics – How sad it is to watch another election cycle in which Americans are presented with the same old extravaganza – we hear Red claim the “left” is “tearing the fabric of our country apart” while Blue preys equally on fears of all sorts. Both avoid talking about their major platform positions because wedge issues get more headlines. Both ignore the real policy solutions the Greens offer. Both overshadow their ineptness in governing with crafted marketing campaigns and meaningless political pageantry. Both deny their subservience to a vastly corrupted political system, seen in the fine mesh of the fabric above which squeezes out third parties. Demanding your loyalty to this present form of doing politics is harmfully abusive to the American people as well as deeply cynical.
Please continue reading for more quarterly updates on our activities and news commentary.
Over these last few tumultuous years, the tipping point for many has finally come due to US foreign policy, specifically around Palestine. The cruel hypocrisy and criminal complicity in an ongoing genocide, the endless and escalating proxy wars, and a military budget tied to the imperialist aims of empire, have been pivotal reasons for voters leaving their traditional political party relationships. It’s been pointed out: “We don’t have a government with a War Machine, but a War Machine with a government.”
People in this state, 1.2 million of them still experiencing hurricane devastation, are becoming justifiably angrier about watching the US send billions for bombs overseas while their own homes and communities lie in ruin, if not washed away entirely. In the aftermath, there is nothing about such a disaster to be grateful for, except perhaps more people coming to understand that we must work together locally to help each other survive and thrive again. We hope, over the long term and apart from partisan politics, that significant maxim will hold fast.
Greens welcome and applaud all those who join us in taking a stance of moral integrity and voting your conscience. We demand real climate emergency actions, healthcare and education for all, living wages and housing, an end to wars, and more – all of which are tied to cutting the US military budget and fixing the corrupt political and financial systems. Greens will not give into the fear and propaganda spread at home by the two parties. We abhor their embrace of overseas wars and support for genocide. We will stand to challenge those who front for the War Machine, their politicians and donors, who ignore the critical needs of people everywhere.
THE DEADLINE TO CHANGE PARTY AFFILIATION HAS PASSED
YOU MAY STILL USE SAME-DAY REGISTRATION IF NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE
See the State Board of Elections website page at Who Can Register for info
ENDORSED FOR YOUR VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 5TH
… or at your Early Voting location between October 17th and November 2nd
US President JILL STEIN
US Vice-President RUDOLPH “BUTCH” WARE
NC Governor MICHAEL WAYNE TURNER
Wake County
US House of Representatives District 02 MICHAEL LOUIS DUBLIN JR
City of Raleigh City Council At Large JOSHUA DAMON BRADLEY
Lenoir, Jones & Greene Counties
NC House of Representatives District 12 ADRIEN MEADOWS
For more information on our candidates: Find your voting location by address:
2024 President & Vice-President & 2024 NC Candidates Election Day Polling Place Search
KEEPING GREENS ON THE BALLOT FOR 2025 & BEYOND
To retain our Green ballot line in NC so that we can keep running candidates, our party is required to achieve at least 2% of the votes cast for Governor in 2024. We need to count on every Green, all our supporters, and Green-leaning unaffiliated voters to come out on Nov 5th (or earlier) to show the growing power of this true people’s movement. Vote Stein/Ware and Wayne Turner!
SABBY SABS interviewed Wayne Turner & Michael Dublin on her Oct 8 Podcast
They did a wonderful job speaking on our top issues. A MUST SEE – watch it HERE
NCGP CAMPAIGNING & OUTREACH EVENTS – REMAINING DATES
Oct 15 BUTCH WARE in Raleigh NC RSVP: https://linktr.ee/ncgp
Oct 20 Wayne Turner at United Power for Action Assembly (Durham) details here
Oct 20 JILL STEIN in Charlotte NC
Oct 21 JILL STEIN in Raleigh NC
Oct 25 Wayne Turner at Senior Resources Candidate Forum (Greensboro) details here
Oct 26 at Pittsboro Street Fair with WAYNE TURNER Come by 10am-4pm
Nov 3 at Pittsboro First Sunday Artisan Fair & Market Come by Noon-4pm
STAY TUNED - STILL TO COME!
2024 FALL GATHERING OF THE NCGP - Either Dec 7th or 8th will be finalized as our Gathering date by the NCGP Coordinating Committee, once location and venue details are finalized. This important bi-annual business meeting is open to all supporters, although only voting members of the NCGP (those who have a Green voter registration and have met minimum party dues for 2024) will be able to cast votes in the election of officers or GPUS delegates and on any submitted proposals for Platform or Bylaws changes.
REGIONAL CHAPTER CONNECTIONS
TRIANGLE CHAPTER Connect with them here: www.facebook.com/groups/TriangleGreens/
TRIAD AREA GREENS Connect with them here: www.facebook.com/groups/ncgptriadchapter/
CHARLOTTE AREA Stay tuned here: www.facebook.com/groups/charlottegreens
EASTERN NC GREENS Connect with them here: www.facebook.com/groups/ncgpeasternchapter/
WESTERN NC Chapter Discussion Group www.facebook.com/groups/1692894967613277/
We remain especially concerned for our Western Area Greens – please check in with us or post on Facebook with word on your safety, needs or with any updates on your community’s situation post-Helene. Stories of your experiences are welcomed for upcoming articles.
POLITICAL EDUCATION - As another aspect of being a party unlike the others, we view an “informed citizenry” as more than just people keeping up with the news or polls or political theater. We work as an independent left party to help bring about a better society in a real democracy on a healthier planet.
What makes the Green Party different and transformational? 
During the early years of the 1980s & 90s in the Green movement, selfless and dedicated visionaries collaborated in the hard work of crafting our Ten Key Values. These are the defining principles upon which citizens from related kinds of activist movements, both nationally and internationally, could together build a more just and sustainable world. Then came the 21st Century, with Ralph Nader carrying the Green banner nationally in the 2000 presidential race. Since then, Greens have more visibly put its broad mission into practice. By design, we keep our focus on three things: grassroots politics (advocacy & organizing), running candidates, and importantly, educating ourselves and the public. In 2024, the NC Green Party began offering a monthly Zoom for its members, supporters new and old, or those with a casual interest. If you haven’t yet attended a session, you’re welcome anytime. It’s a good place to begin staying informed and connected!
COORDINATING COMMITTEE (CC) DECISIONS & ACTIONS – July through October
- Held the second half of NCGP’s annual Strategic Planning meeting for leaders and invitees on July 20, focusing on our election strategies and coordinating future campaign events. That evening, officers and members joined in the Raleigh protest to Reject Pelosi’s Visit to NC.
- Co-sponsored Sudan film screening and fundraiser held on July 21, donated funds for food at the event, and attended in support.
- Organized a concert event on August 15 as livestream kickoff for the Green Party’s Annual National Meeting (ANM) August 15-18, during which the Presidential Nominating Convention occurred. The event was held in Raleigh, featuring NCGP member/musician James Mullins and a Q&A led by NCGP member/national Young Ecosocialist Caucus chair Matt Skolar, and it brought national attention to our North Carolina state party.
- Co-sponsored and attended August 5 Candlelight Vigil for Sonya Massey in Durham.
- Approved participation in coming outreach/campaign events, including Catawba Valley Pride and Greensboro Pride in September, tabling at Shakori Hills Music Festival and staffing the Peace Booth at the NC State Fair in October.
- Reviewed volunteer needs to help manage tasks on our social media platforms, as well as to improve our Media Team functions to deal with the press and public statements for the NCGP.
- Reaffirmed the NCGP’s strict requirements for presidential candidates’ qualification, in light of the use of weaker threshold requirements by the GPUS in the 2023-24 nomination process.
- Have taken the lead in organizing for the Stein/Ware campaign in North Carolina and planning for the candidates’ visits to the state. Butch Ware’s Raleigh visit will be Oct 15th, and Jill Stein will be with the Green Party and our allies in Charlotte on Oct 10th and in Raleigh for lunch on Oct 21st.
- Sponsoring & Participating in Resistance Rallies with Allies – July to October (and undoubtedly many more to come)
Oct 5 – One Year of Genocide, One Year of Resistance
Sep 8 – Vigil at Raleigh’s Moore Square with Muslims for Social Justice (following the IOF sniper killing of American Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank)
Sep 5 – Welcome to the Abandon Harris movement in NC at the Democrat Party Headquarters
Sep 3 – Hands Off West Bank Now Emergency Protest
Aug 5 – Rally in Durham with Mothers for Ceasefire and others
Jul 24 – Triangle: Get on the Bus to DC to Surround the Capitol – Arrest Netanyahu
Jul 14 – Triangle Organizers Panel & Discussion on People’s Conference for Palestine
Jul 11 – Rally & March for Palestine: Red Hat Makes Software for Genocide
Jul 7 – Protest for Palestine & March in Raleigh
Jul 4 – Show Up for Palestine on Independence Day at Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park
WHY I’M A GREEN – by Phil from Wake County
“Mostly because Greens have always wanted a materially better world for everyone and have struggled to empower people to make that a reality.”
Above, Phil’s support for Green candidate Michael Dublin is easily won as he visits an NCGP outreach tent. Michael, a long-time Wake County teacher and Green, is challenging his US Congressional Representative – Deborah Ross (D) – for her 2nd District (Wake County) seat. In her 3 years in office, Ross has backed typically Democrat policies – some good, but many fall far short of the mark. Ross does NOT support universal, single-payer healthcare for all, and while pointing to her support of veterans, still votes to fund foreign wars and US world hegemony, including US complicity in genocide. According to Open Secrets, she has so far accepted $215,057 in pro-Israel contributions for her campaigns. Phil and Michael believe that the majority of voters in North Carolina and Wake County aren’t getting what THEY demand and pay for. See more of Michael’s platform at dublin4congress.org
THE BEST NEWS OF THIS QUARTER
The Muslim American Public Affairs Council (MAPAC) formally announced its official endorsement of Dr. Jill Stein for President in September, and on October 7th, the Abandon Harris movement added its endorsement for the Stein/Ware campaign for the White House. The NC Green Party says THANK YOU and WELCOME to these organizations and individual members – we hold you in our hearts and stand with you in the struggle for a Free Palestine and peaceful world.
NOTES ON NATIONAL & STATE NEWS
From the More Money for Militarism file – Despite the US providing more military aid to Israel than given any other country ever, Biden and Congress have sent an additional $17.9 billion since October 7th. The accuracy of that total is apparently somewhat in question, but no doubt, before anyone figures it out or decides to stop sending weapons or actually insists upon a ceasefire, the US government will likely put together yet another “aid” package, increasing its support of the horrific genocide and bombings of even more civilians across borders. Humanitarian aid is not even pretended anymore.
A majority in Congress today sees no Red Line – Even after a year of protest and resistance, with new violations of international law broken constantly, and in spite of support for Israel’s actions by Americans declining rapidly, it took until late September for even three Senators to do much of anything serious about it. Sanders (VT), Merkley (OR), and Welch (VT) introduced “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval….” of more technology and weapons to Israel [S.J.Res.116]. This resolution attempting to force a Senate vote is only given an 8% chance of passing if it ever got out of the Foreign Relations Committee: “The arms sales targeted in the resolution include $262 million in Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) [Boeing], about $774 million in 120mm tank rounds [General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman], about $61 million in 120mm high-explosive mortar rounds [General Dynamics], about $583 million in Medium Tactical Vehicles [Oshkosh Corp (WI)], and almost $19 billion in 50 new F-15IA aircraft, upgrade kits for existing F-15 aircraft, and associated weapons and parts [Boeing]. (From a decent 9/25 Huff Post article, since taken down.)
WE'RE #1! WE'RE #1! (Lockheed Martin)
The list above seemed incomplete without the #1 weapons manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, but we notice here that they have been busy securing “defense” contracts for almost 1,900 new F-35 fighter jets for the US, priced at $110 to $136 million each. That these are for “preventing future conflicts” is old Orwellian “war is peace” propaganda – these things aren’t for dropping humanitarian aid. That this “helps to create jobs and boost the economy, particularly in the United States” is an old claim which has long been debunked. This kind of myth keeps us from having the job programs most effective for the American people and its economy, let alone curbing the increase in fossil fuel use and resulting greenhouse gasses. Bad enough, but note that Lockheed Martin also now has contracts from allies of the “West” to build 4,016 more F-35s. Along with additional contracts for the Navy, it all seems to fit nicely into the Pentagon's war plan with China (calendar marked for 2025-2032). Incredible that this isn't getting more attention. What’s in your portfolio, Congresspeople?
Over at the Ukraine project, called “securing Ukraine’s future” by those thoughtful folks at the Council on Foreign Relations, the US investment is now at $175 billion (apart from other EU and NATO countries). On September 26th, with a visit by Zelensky to Biden and the day before we knew Helene would hit Florida and track north, the Biden administration decided to release another $8 billion for Ukraine “so that Russia will not prevail.” Funny how the day before that, Israel had begun full-on bulldozing of the West Bank. Some get a future, some don’t, another easy-peasy week at the White House.
A SIMPLE CHOICE FOR HUMANITY - DO NOT VOTE FOR GENOCIDE ON NOV 5th 
The lack of responsible leadership grows more frightening daily, so too is not knowing who actually runs things from the White House. We do know that the consistent policy entrenchment of neo-lib/neo-con imperialist ideology throughout Blue or Red administrations is never going to be bringing us peace. All this is why we need a Green in the White House and more Greens elected to Congress, and in the meantime, to be supporting the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions Movement, unless you came here for stock tips. Also worth a look is this reminder of the 7 Corporations Doing the Most to Undermine Democracy Worldwide.
UHURU 3 Free Speech Trial – If you didn’t catch this earlier in September, the federal trial in Florida of leaders of the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP) ended with convictions on only 1 of 2 criminal charges – found not guilty of being Russian agents but still found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the American government. That could result in a 5-yr maximum sentence to federal prison, although the date of sentencing has still not been announced. Following militarized FBI raids on this small group’s homes and office, the outrageousness of their prosecution and trial are worth reading about here.
Spoilers, indeed – Back in March, it was unsurprising to see the bold announcement by Democrats of a new Super PAC called Clear Choice which would work to attack third parties and independents to help get Biden reelected. The NC Green Party had run into their related organization, Clear Choice Action, back in 2022 when they used some shady stunts to try and keep the Greens off the ballot. Some interesting reading about the billionaires behind Clear Choice Action is here. Top of the ticket has changed, but Clear Choice and other super PACs stayed hard at work, adding $1 billion to the Harris campaign since July. The duopoly is flush, and we can’t imagine what the total campaign spending will be for 2024 – the record of $14.4 billion still holding from 2020. But remember, it's the corporate ROIs (return on investment) that will add up to some real money.
While we’re counting – military spending under Biden has gone up and social and economic spending down. In 2022, the Pentagon budget was $800 billion, but it hit $954 billion this year, even after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. In 2022, social and economic spending was $700 billion, while this year it fell to $610 billion. That included “Build Back Better” which saw some but not enough infrastructure spending. A "Day One Priority" for the Greens, says Jill Stein, is cutting that military budget in half. That's a scary proposition for the defense contractors above, not necessarily for the defense of this country. Greens demand a better spending plan – including Universal Healthcare as part of a Green New Deal.
And not being accountable – In July the federal appeals court out in San Francisco affirmed the dismissal by a lower court of the historic lawsuit by Palestinian defenders and the Center for Constitutional Rights accusing Biden, Blinken, and Austin of complicity in the Israeli genocide in Gaza. More than hopes for justice and accountability were shattered, as this trio has continued to supply a huge amount of weapons and bombs to Israel with unmistakable and horrific effects on civilians. It should be noted (but won’t be enforced), however, that shortly after the US ruling, the International Court of Justice handed down a lengthy opinion determining abuse and illegalities on Israel’s part, and saying Israel should end its occupation of Palestinian territory, evacuate existing settlements, stop building new ones and pay reparations to Palestinians who have lost land and property.
So much disconnect – Wondering why they keep saying the economy is in great shape when the majority of us are struggling? You likely have figured that out, even if you weren’t excitedly awaiting Bloomberg’s July 15th Billionaire Index. This short piece by Rick Baum in Counterpunch linked below is worth a quick look if just for the tables: Elon Musk holding at #1 with $267 billion, and Jeff Bezos has herded in $215 billion. Hee-haw!
The Astonishing Success of the Wealthy at Accumulating More Wealth
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
Wokeness Kills Class Politics and Empowers Empire (w/ Christian Parenti) | The Chris Hedges Report (youtube.com) “... it is absolutely important to focus our intellectual efforts and our political organizing on the core class questions, about who produces wealth, how, and for whom … and to think about ourselves in relationship to those material questions, because the vast majority of us make our living by selling our labor. The way life is going to improve is if everybody comes together and struggles for what they all need in common, against the increasing few who are hoarding more and more, and in the process are creating bubbles and crashes that damage all of us ….”
NC LEGISLATION & POLITICS
Voter roll cleanup – At the end of September, the announcement came that the NC State Board of Elections has purged 747,000 voters from its rolls, readying for November. A majority of those affected were people who had moved without registering their new address and people who didn’t vote in the last two federal elections (2020 and 2022). No doubt many arriving to vote will be surprised to find themselves purged, but be aware that NC still allows Same Day Registration. If you find yourself needing to re-register in order to vote, check the SBOE page on Who Can Register for info.
Status of HB10 (private school funding and immigration enforcement) – As expected, NC Gov. Cooper vetoed the bill on September 20, and as we also expect, the Republican majority legislature appears certain to override that veto on October 24. The NC Green Party, public school advocates, and the Hispanic community have long spoken in opposition to this legislation, but here we are. It’s a year in which the public has been continually pummeled to fear immigrant communities. Green candidate for governor, Wayne Turner, has been clear-eyed about the Republican dominance in the General Assembly for now, and nonetheless, feels that the governor’s office can still be an important bully pulpit for highlighting needed changes in public education, teacher pay/bargaining, and immigrant rights.
Weak climate action from Gov Cooper – A year ago in 2023, a quieter hurricane year for NC despite a huge number of storms worldwide, we learned of the Governor’s climate priorities with funding a $1 million program pledged to upgrade climate efforts in the state. A look at the website for the North Carolina Climate Action Corps is largely about service volunteers and individual actions we’re probably already doing. Know that this flows from the US Climate Alliance, an organization of 24 mostly Democrat governors who still push “net-zero” as “high-impact climate action” achievable by 2035. Sorry to say, by then we will have pushed well past the 1.5C temperature threshold. Greens and allies will need to keep presenting the real Green New Deal well past the November elections for these folks.
HEALTH & HOUSING Here are a few recent stories that are concerning us:
It’s now estimated that there are 27 empty homes for each homeless person – Vacant Homes vs. Homelessness In the U.S. - United Way NCA
Rent increases and tenant rights issues have never needed more attention from us all – NC Tenants Union director Nick MacLeod on the daunting challenges facing renters in North Carolina. Renters can find helpful information at the NC Tenant Union website, especially about tenant rights.
It’s more than the abortion issue for women in NC, where the number of healthcare facilities and health coverage has worsened – North Carolina ranks 33rd in new national scorecard on women’s health, reproductive care and Duke Health physician on state of reproductive healthcare in NC.
LABOR & PAY
Organized labor came out almost in unison to endorse Kamala Harris and then approve her pick of Tim Walz for VP. We’ve watched the AFL-CIO, UAW, SEIU, ASFCME, NEA, and AFT all issue glowing press releases on the “proven track record” of Harris for labor. Words alone are not a track record, but no doubt we won’t have to wait long for the true anti-labor face of corporate Democrats. Les Leopold is still trying to wake up Democrats by saying “Trump Is Eating Your Working Class Lunch” here. Yes, job cuts and mass layoffs are directly related to those corporate stock buybacks by the CEOs, duh. The heat of August saw Dell cut 12,000 and Intel cut 15,000 jobs (despite getting $8.5 billion in taxpayer money for a plan to safeguard US chip manufacturing that never happened). Until stock buybacks are illegal again, it's really the corporate track record which has been proven.
News on NC childcare and teacher pay (still ranked 33rd in the US) – “Senate Bill 332 repeats the 3% pay bump approved by lawmakers last year for teachers, principals and other school personnel. And Senate Bill 357 sends $67.5 million in grant money to keep child care centers open, as centers struggle to make ends meet with the expiration of federal subsidies.”
General strike in 2028? – The year many were working toward previously was 2026, but during this year’s UAW struggles and wins, the news came that the “mass movement” has pushed the timing out to coincide with 2028 labor contract expirations … and another presidential election year. Certainly, Big Labor will be needed to lead in such an effort, but most of the working class are not in a union, especially down South where "Right to Work" states like NC hold back gains. In 2023, the percentage of workers represented by a union decreased from 11.3% to 11.2%. Private-sector unionization rose to 6.9% in 2023, while public-sector unionization declined to 36.0% (and most of these are prevented from striking).
Federal Minimum Wage “Too Damn Low … for Too Damn Long” – That quote could have come from any of millions of US workers or anyone in the Green Party. If you’re in this fight, here’s a great overview article from Counterpunch on the plight of workers and the 15-year stagnation of federal legislation to raise minimum wages above $7.25. Fighting for $15 is in the rearview, and that pledge once made by Harris in 2020 is now absent from the Dems platform. Greens and others have moved to campaigning for $25, still uncomfortably aware how low that amount is to be able to afford to live in larger metro areas. People must continue to fight together for themselves, since clearly few Democrats are even bothering to talk about a raise and anger donors, and the Republicans and big business donors remain opposed.
ROOTS, QUOTES & INSPIRATION
Cheri Honkala (1963-), Philadelphia PA
Greens who’ve been around a while, even in North Carolina, are familiar with Cheri Honkala, if only because she was chosen as Jill Stein’s running mate and US vice-presidential candidate in 2012. Some might have learned about Cheri in 2005 when she was featured in Mother Jones magazine as their April “Hellraiser of the Month”. Her reputation as an anti-poverty and homeless advocate was by then already well-established, with “a moral sense of urgency” as her motivation. Cheri’s early life experiences being poor and homeless at one point has always given her advocacy and organizing work a special kind of expertise and legitimacy that most bureaucrats or non-profit officials lacked. She has always felt that anti-poverty efforts and movements were best led by the poor themselves. Despite difficulties faced in life and politics, however, few have come close to Cheri’s fearless dedication, outspokenness, and innovative and effective campaign techniques.
Cheri Honkala’s resolve has gone on for decades, and she remains hard at work organizing (lately, the Poor People’s Army, not to be confused with Rev. Barber’s Poor People’s Campaign) as well as giving her time as a Green Party speaker on Homelessness, Poverty and Social Justice. Read more at the GPUS website and also find some of Cheri’s inspiring videos there. (Although always hesitant to ever recommend Wikipedia as a source, their page gives a huge amount of detail, including a note on Cheri’s famous 2016 DNC “fart-in” stunt to greet Hilary Clinton in Philadelphia. Innovative indeed.)
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