[Trenice]

If the issues of historically disenfranchised groups (Africans, women, Native Americans, gays and lesbians, labor, poor whites, etc.) are represented zealously by the Green Party, and if there’s no reason to believe they will betray their constituency, why did so many of us (Africans and women in particular) give our vote to the Democrats, who have taken us for granted and failed us repeatedly? Just because they’re not Republicans? What about our future and our children’s future?

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Name : Trenice, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Atheist, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : data entry, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Priscilla30261]

First, we must consider WHY these groups are represented zealously by the Greens. (We have them in Australia too, and my answer is based on the situation here.) That was a traditional Communist strategy: to infiltrate activist groups and subvert them. Some people have not yet realized that socialism is an unworkable (if not evil) system. I think the Greens (many of whom are ex-Communists) are continuing with the old strategies, even though they can no longer hope for a world revolution. I am vehemently anti-socialist/anti-Communist. That is my reason for wanting to be as far away as possible from parties like the Greens. Yes, the Cold War is over, but you don’t need to tell me that: tell the Greens. Second, why should any group vote en masse? Are we not individuals? I am not a heterosexual. That puts me in the minority, but I like the benefits of the capitalist/democratic system. If you don’t, go and live in Cuba or North Korea and live in the system the Greens support. You won’t even have a chance to vote for the Democrats there.

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Name : Priscilla30261, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 24, City : Sydney, State : NA, Country : Australia, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[ACC25053]

First let’s discount the rather ludicrous bit of McCarthy-era red-baiting paranoia from the lady down under. Is she seriously claiming the Greens are part of a conspiracy run from North Korea or Cuba? The Greens’ anti-Communist credentials are well-established because many activists were also from human rights campaigns, supporters for Tibet, etc. The Green platform and public statements are quite clear that they only want to reform capitalism, not end it.

A couple reasons: 1) Disenfranchised groups wanted to hold onto what little influence they have left. I agree with you, we are being used by the Democrats and have little to show for it. But many still feel this way.
2) They knew that Nader, with no war chest like the $100-$150 million each major party had, had little chance of winning or even getting his message out. 3) They were smart enough to not waste their time voting. I know it drives people crazy when I say this, but why give a system legitimacy it doesn’t deserve when you know it does not represent you? Disenfranchised groups may often be uneducated, but they are not stupid. Most of the ones who don’t vote know they are not included in the system. Taking time off of work, or taking care of their kids, or even out of their leisure time to go vote, is time wasted. And because we all know the only votes that really mattered in this election were the Supreme Court’s, the nonvoters are looking smarter and smarter.

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Name : ACC25053, Race : Mexican and American Indian, City : W. Lafayette, State : IN, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[Makia]

Most blacks and other people of color are not very familiar with political parties other than Democrat or Republican. There is a long tradition of Black people voting Democrat, and so that is the norm. I guess we are hopeful that the next time will be different and we won’t be let down again by Democrats, or that it doesn’t matter who is in power, since we’ll still get the shaft. Also, do parties other than Dems come to the Black communities to campaign?

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Name : Makia, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 36, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Rob]

You have a point-though I have never heard any black person-young or old, male or female, urban or otherwise-ever mention the Green Party. If black folks vote at all-especially in the inner cities-they vote Democrat by a huge majority-as they should considering the ‘2 party’ rule.

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Name : Rob, City : Farmingdale, State : NY, Country : United States, 

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