To regular readers of Hot Indie News it will probably come as no surprise that we would endorse the Green Party candidates, Howie Hawkins (Governor) and Brian Jones (Lt. Governor) in the New York State Governor’s race (as well as their entire slate of candidates, Ramon Jimenez for Attorney General and Theresa Portelli for Comptroller).
Endorsing the Hawkins/Jones slate is a no-brainer.
Democrats and Republicans have become so corrupt by monied-interests that it would be a joke if it wasn’t so serious. Wall Street and the huge multinational corporations have been calling the shots on most of the policies they pursue for quite some time now. To anyone who is even remotely paying attention, it is obvious that Andrew Cuomo typifies this corruption-as-usual cynicism like no other Governor New York State has ever seen. Some have said that (King) Andrew “acts like the most extreme Republican”. However, the irony is that Andrew Cuomo is not acting as much like a Republican as he is acting like a Democrat! In fact, Cuomo is the poster-child for what the Democratic party has become.
Our political and electoral system has gone so far off the rails that at times it feels hopeless. We stop allowing ourselves to believe in or imagine a better world. The fact that the public has completely tuned-out is evident by the fact that in the most recent Democratic Primary – even with the electorate excited by the challenge to Governor Cuomo by Zephyr Teachout – only 10% of registered Democrats even voted! This shameful state of affairs should be a huge embarrassment to every elected Democrat and Republican. Yet, not only are they NOT embarrassed, but they have done NOTHING about it and almost never even mention it. Why is this? It is because the less voter turn-out there is and the less informed the public is, the easier it is for the two corporate parties to continue their domination of the conversation and a complete stranglehold on our democracy.
Depressed yet? Well, don’t be! This year there is REAL hope and a chance to make history with the Green Party’s Hawkins/Jones campaign! Howie and Brian are finally being heard and their platform is resonating big time with the public. Poll numbers are at historic levels because there is a growing demand for an independent movement that can break away from corporate control of our lives.
Are you one of those people who say that you won’t vote for the Green Party because Greens can’t win? Well, we have news for you! Greens CAN and Do win. Even against the huge odds of the broken electoral system!
And when Greens get elected – amazing stuff happens. In 2004, New Paltz Mayor Jason West and Deputy Mayor, Rebecca Rotzler made headlines interpreting New York State’s marriage law as too vague to specify gender and married legions of same sex couples. They then greened New Paltz’s sewer system by replacing a chemical treatment system with natural reed beds that do the job cheaper and greener! They are still in office doing Green, great work (but of course the press rarely mentions that they are Green Party elected officials).
In Richmond, California, Green Party Mayor, Gayle McLaughlin has been negotiating with banks to have the city buy off mortgages that are defaulting and has become creative using eminent domain to keep families in their homes. Wow, what a concept! Its a win-win for every one! Why haven’t any Democratic mayors done the same thing? Humm…
If Howie Hawkins and Brain Jones are elected Governor of New York State they will:
– Begin a Green New Deal – Jobs for all Program to employ all unemployed and make New York State run on 100% renewable energy by 2030 (this has been proven possible by Mark Jacobs at Stanford University).
– Ban Hydrofracking, Nukes, Coal, and Oil.
– Institute a $15.00 minimum wage.
– Cut taxes for 95% of us (including sales and property tax) and fairly raise taxes for the top 5% and Wall Street who have not paid their share.
Polluters will have to pay more as well. They will restore state revenue sharing to local governments and schools.
– Fully fund and desegregate public schools. End high stakes testing and promote a more accurate and holistic assessment method to show children’s diverse learning. End the push to privatized public schools with charter schools. Make CUNY and SUNY free as they were in the past.
– Expand mass transit.
– Provide single-payer Medicare for all health insurance.
– Democratize our electoral system to get all money out of politics.
– Begin a huge low-income housing program that ensures desegregation and sustainability.
These are just a few of the things they would do because this is the world they want to create. You can see the entire platform at: http://www.howiehawkins.org/platform
In a stark difference from the Democrats and Republicans, The Green Party has never taken corporate donations and in New York, does not cross endorse candidates from the corporate parties (meaning that Green Party candidates appear on only one party line). Have you noticed that Cuomo will be on FOUR lines in this election!? There is something seriously wrong with that! Talk about smoke and mirrors!
Yet this time, everyone seems to be seeing through the Cuomo mist and they are jumping on the Hawkins/Jones band wagon like never before!
Three teachers unions have thus far endorsed the campaign and four NYC Democratic Clubs have for the first time in their history endorsed the Hawkins/Jones Campaign! Take a look at the website for a full list of amazing and well-known endorsers (http://www.howiehawkins.org/endorsements).
Howie Hawkins will be in the televised debate tonight (Wed Oct 22nd) at 8:00pm. In NYC it will be broadcast on Channel 13 (http://www.howiehawkins.org/debate).
Watch the debate. After that, the poll numbers are sure to surge even further!
Ralph Nader is also coming to NYC on October 25th for what is sure to be a special uplifting event! Reserve your seat now at: http://www.howiehawkins.org/nadernyc.
So, what about you? Want to get involved?
Now is the time to break the addiction to the two corporate parties and join the unstoppable movement that will truly save our democracy and our planet. Volunteer and donate now at: https://howiehawkins.nationbuilder.com/donate – Your head, your heart, your children and/or grandchildren will thank you for it.
— Vote Green Party, Vote Howie Hawkins/Brian Jones on November 4th in New York State!!
