SENTIENT TIMES Feb/March 2001

The Greens Great Opportunity
By Blair Bobier

Despite public outcry from thousands of concerned citizens and hundreds of leading citizen groups to George W. Bush's more offensive cabinet choices, the Democrats proved once again that America is truly a one-party state, providing, at best, token resistance to Bush's selections. This collusion means that the cream of the conservative crop has been sworn in to safeguard our civil rights and the environment. In other words, stewardship of the chicken coops—billion dollar federal agencies—has been handed to the foxes.

What is needed is not a mere negative cyclical re-action to the nomination process but a positive, pro-active alternative. One way to do this is to create a Shadow Cabinet. The alternative Cabinet, representing a government-in-waiting, could mirror the structure of the actual cabinet yet would develop its own programs and proposals.What is needed is not a mere negative cyclical re-action to the nomination process but a positive, pro-active alternative. One way to do this is to create a Shadow Cabinet. The alternative Cabinet, representing a government-in-waiting, could mirror the structure of the actual cabinet yet would develop its own programs and proposals.

Although the Greens have both external detractors and internal idiosyncrasies, they remain the most organized and visible political alternative on the Left and therefore, the most suitable vehicle for a Shadow Cabinet.

Prior to the 2000 presidential campaign, the Association of State Green Parties formed a Presidential Exploratory Committee (PEC) to identify, contact and interview potential presidential candidates. In doing so, the Greens established communication with the progressive leadership of America, sparking interest and receiving encouragement if not actual support. Now, with the Republicans illegitimately if not illegally in power and the Democrats providing, at best, token opposition, a huge void is created. It would be easy enough for the Greens to use the groundwork of the PEC and Nader’s solid third place effort to fill this void.

A Shadow Cabinet could serve as a public watchdog by monitoring agency actions, critiquing them and presenting alternative proposals. The Greens could take this one step further and demonstrate a "third way" that goes beyond the Conservative/Republican/Libertarian view of shrinking government and letting individuals fend for themselves, and the Liberal/Democratic/Socialist view that more government is good government. Green philosophy values both hands-on community involvement and electoral politics. Green cabinet "agencies" could demonstrate ways to succeed better, and more efficiently, than either government programs or individual initiatives. The possibilities are endless: Green "agencies" forming health insurance cooperatives, planting trees in inner cities, creating jobs in sustainable industries or developing alternative energy sources and transportation. Creative use of both low-tech and hi-tech resources would wed the best of past and future and further demonstrate the suitability and viability of Green philosophy for the 21st century.

The Greens’ PEC contacted a wide spectrum of progressives including current and former members of Congress as well as intellectuals, authors and agitators ranging from Noam Chomsky and Jim Hightower to Lani Guinier and Winona LaDuke. The potential of credentialed, highly respected activists working together is mind-boggling. Ladies and Gentlemen, your cabinet posts await you!

Ralph Nader, who deserves the thanks and respect of Greens and all Americans for his valiant and continuing efforts, also deserves a cabinet post. At this point, both the Greens and Nader would be best served by Nader’s demonstrating that he is a team player and not just, as some have charged, reckless or a "spoiler." By taking a position in a cabinet among equals, Nader could do more to earn trust and respect from and for the Greens than either looking back at this election or towards the next one.

America is hungry for an alternative and the recent non-election—where half the people didn’t show up and the winners lost—shows how badly we need it. If you build the alternative, they will come: It’s time for the Greens to create the playing field and invite America’s progressive leadership to step up to the plate.

Blair Bobier, an environmental and political activist, was a founder of both Oregon’s Pacific Green Party and the Northwest Democracy Institute. He can be reached at blairbobier@hotmail.com

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