By Chris McManigal
Fourth of a 4-part series spotlighting the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian and Green Party.
The Green Party was founded in 2001, making it a new-comer on the political scene in the United States. The Greens, as they are often referred, are left-wing progressives and as such appeal to many independent voters.
The primary ideology of the Green Party, as the name implies, is environmentalism and as such they strongly support government regulation of business as a means to protect the environment. They also believe in supporting programs that they feel provide for a more equal society and therefore believe in taxation as a means of funding social welfare programs.
Greens support a system of community-based economies which is a form of socialism that focuses on the buying and selling of goods and services locally. They also support the practice of a scaled-down or minimalist type of lifestyle. Both of these practices they feel tend to support a type of economy which is environmentally friendly. While having socialist leanings, Greens do still believe in capitalism provided that businesses bear the brunt of taxation in order to support the people in an equitable way.
There have been no Green Party Presidents in the United States in their short history. Among the most famous Green Party members are Ralph Nader, who won more than 2 million votes in the 2000 Presidential campaign and Cynthia McKinney, the former Representative from Georgia, who was the first African-American woman elected to that office. There are also more than 100 Greens elected in other offices throughout the country. Famous Greens include actors Tim Robbins and Al Lewis.
The Green Party as seen by supporters: Pro-environment, pro-equality, pro-gay rights, pro-social safety net, pro-taxation on business and the wealthy.
The Green Party as seen by opponents: Single-issue party, anti-taxpayer, anti-business.
Key ideology: Environmentalism
Size: 242,000
Color: Green
Mascot: The sunflower