South Carolina Green Party thanks Eugene Platt

The Steering Committee of the South Carolina Green Party thanks Eugene Platt for his good work and strong effort in running as the Green nominee in the 1st Congressional District special election.

The media and a large part of the public have been distracted by the celebrity and notoriety of the two major party candidates.  Eugene Platt stood as a public servant, a native Charlestonian, and a responsible, thoughtful progressive.

Eugene discussed national health care, a non-interventionist foreign policy, the sanctity of labor rights, and the importance of spending on social services rather than expensive and wasteful military programs.  If it was not for Eugene’s contributions, this campaign would have been entirely content-free and personality driven.

The public is better served by a diversity of voices and viewpoints representing all parts of the political spectrum.   The Charleston Patch did a disservice to the people of South Carolina, when they reduce political debate to an empty, content-free show.   The Working Families Party misled thousands of pro-union voters into supporting an anti-union candidate. This blind commitment to horserace politics does not serve the public interest.

We commend the League of Women Voters and the NAACP for holding nonpartisan, inclusive events that encouraged discussion and promoted democracy.

Eugene Platt was able to give progressives a reason to vote, to organize and to join the Green Party.  After Colbert-Busch’s outrageous statement that she was “proud” of South Carolina’s deplorable anti-union reputation, we were proud to offer a humane alternative in Eugene that workers and progressives could endorse.  The campaign has been a success in these terms.

Campaign Links

Eugene Platt for Congress: http://www.voteplatt.com

Eugene Platt for Congress on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eugene-Platt-for-Congress/14190535917

Green Party

Green Party of the United States: http://gp.org

South Carolina Green Party: http://scgreenparty.org

South Carolina Green Party on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthCarolinaGreenParty

South Carolina Green Party: Include Platt in Debate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: South Carolina Media
South Carolina Green Party:  Include Platt in Debate
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC

CONTACT
Eugene Platt, Nominee for 1st Congressional District
Scott West, Co-Chair, SC Green Party, 347-581-0230

South Carolina Green Party:  Include Platt in Debate
Eugene Platt should be included in the Monday April 29, 2013 debate for the May 7 special congressional election.

Eugene Platt is a public servant of long standing, having been reelected to the James Island Public Service District every four years since 1994.

Eugene Platt ran as the Democratic Party nominee in the 1st Congressional District during the 1992 election.

The public is better served by a diversity of voices and viewpoints representing all parts of the political spectrum.

Many polls do not include candidates who are not members of the two major parties. Public Policy Polling mentioned Eugene Platt in the April 24 poll, after previous polling data suggested a tie in the race between Sanford and Colbert-Busch.  Now that apolitical drama has created an advantage for Colbert-Busch, The Citadel has acted to exclude Eugene Platt from the scheduled Monday debate.

This commitment to horse race politics does not serve the public interest. The local media and local institutions like the Patch and the AARP do a terrible disservice to the people of South Carolina, when they reduce political debate to an empty, content-free show.

Without Eugene Platt, the most that will come from the Citadel debate is a series of “gotcha” moments.

With Platt, the debate will be compelled to widen the scope of debate and seriously discuss such issues as

* Health Care:  Eugene Platt is a long-time supporter of universal health care.  If the goal is to sustainably provide health care for all Americans, only a single-payer national insurance plan will work.  Both the unfettered-market approach favored by the Republican and the mandated insurance favored by the Democrat will leave millions uninsured and fail to control costs.

* War:  Eugene Platt is in favor of a non-interventionist foreign policy.  The United States made a serious mistake in invading Iraq in 2003 in a manipulated search for non-existent Weapons of Mass Destruction. Opposition to the 2003 Iraq war is a litmus test for future action against military adventures.

* Illegal Immigration and the Economy:  South Carolina, America, and nearby countries need local economic control and development.  This meant increased power to labor unions in the workplace to control conditions, profits and benefits, and the decentralization of development.  Strengthening local labor markets abroad through decentralized development will lessen the dislocation of economic migrants across borders.

* Political Openness: Eugene Platt is the embodiment of effective local politicians who do not fit inside the mainstream. If we cannot incorporate common-sense progressive proposals into the political debate, our society is the poorer for it, mistakes will be made, and opportunities missed.

About the Green Party
The Green Party of the United States has participated in local and congressional elections since the 1980s, notably in the Presidential election to 2000, when nominee Ralph Nader received 2.3% of the national vote.  For more information visit: http://gp.org.

The South Carolina Green Party nominee Tom Clements of Columbia received 121,472 votes or 9.25% of the total in the 2010 U.S. Senate election running against a Democrat and a Republican.  For more information, visit http://scgreenparty.org.

Campaign Links
Eugene Platt for Congress:  http://www.voteplatt.com
Eugene Platt for Congress on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eugene-Platt-for-Congress/14190535917

Green Party Links
Green Party of the United States:  http://gp.org
South Carolina Green Party:  http://scgreenparty.org
South Carolina Green Party on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SouthCarolinaGreenParty

Island Connection: Green Party in Play for SC Senate District 41

Sue Edward is the candidate for the South Carolina Green Party in the July 14 special election for SC Senate District 41.  Now the Island Connection has a great article on Sue Edward’s campaign written by journalist Kristin Hackler.

Remember to vote Green July 14th in State Senate District 31.

Green Party in Play for District 41

Monday, July 2, 2012

By Kristin Hackler, staff writer, Island Connection, Newspaper for Kiawah, Seabrook and Bohicket Marina.

Sue Edward, Green Party candidate for South Carolina Senate District 41 in the July 14, 2012 Special Election.

While many people are aware that Republican candidate Walter Hundley and Democratic candidate Paul Tinkler are vying for Glenn McConnell’s former senate seat in the July 17 special elections, Green Party candidate Sue Edward has been working hard behind the scenes, steadily spreading the word that there is another option outside of the two major political parties.

“I would like to think that we’re offering the voters an alternative. Being grassroots, we’re representing the average person. I believe that the more choices that people have, the better,” said Edward.

A Charleston resident since 2003 and a West Ashley resident since 2004, Edward founded the Charleston branch of the Green Party in 2008 and also serves as the co-chair of the South Carolina Green Party.

“I have always been a voter. I found myself participating more and more politically around the 2000 elections while I was living in Madison, Wisconsin. In early 2003, I decided to research the many political parties to see which party best represented my views and found the closest match within the Green Party,” said Edward.

The principles of the Green Party were what originally appealed to Edward, who considered herself an Independent after becoming disenfranchised with the leading parties.

“What was appealing to me what that the Green Party upheld the same values I already held, and it meshed well for me,” said Edward.

Founded on 10 key values, the Green Party is “committed to ecology, social justice grassroots democracy, and non-violence…without the support of corporate donors.” For Edward, her interests include education, women’s rights, workers’ rights, election reform, and tax reform – all areas in which she hopes to serve during her term, if elected.

And while she’s running to complete Glenn McConnell’s term, which expires at the end of this year, Edward has also stated that she will not be running in the regular elections this November.

“This is my first time running for public office. The special election is a little more low key, so it is a good way to gain experience. And since there is no incumbent in the race, all candidates are on equal footing which allows all of us to more easily present our platforms to the voters,” said Edward.

Another reason for not running in November is her schedule. With a BS in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Edward has worked in computer software for more than 25 years, and as an average working person, she can’t afford the time requirements of the current legislative structure.

“The time requirements of traveling to Columbia three days per week for six months makes it simply impossible for the average person who does not own their own business or is not retired or is not independently wealthy [to hold a legislative office]. Since the remainder of this term is after the legislative session, the travel requirement is no longer an issue,” said Edward.

Through this election, Edward hopes not only to gain additional experience as a legislator, she hopes to spread that word that there are more electoral options than the two major parties.

“I offer the voters a choice. The two corporate parties are becoming more and more similar and Greens offer a real alternative. I will work for the people of district 41 and all of South Carolina with no conflicts of interest or ethics violations,” said Edward.

For more information about Sue Edward, visit www.electsueedward.com. For more information about the Green Party, visit charlestongreenparty.org, scgreenparty.org, and gp.org.

Charleston: Upcoming Meeting and Events

Hello Charleston Greens!

Our October meeting is Wednesday, October 19, 7:00pm at Earth Fare on Folly Road Blvd (in the South Windermere shopping center). Look for us in the cafe. Please bring a friend and join us!

Please also make plans to attend these important events (Green Party events and events involving Greens are listed in green.

Events

• Occupy Brittlebank Park, Wed, Oct 19 5:00pm – Sun Oct 23 3:00pm, Brittlebank Park, 180 Lockwood
  

  Occupy Brittlebank Park

  Blvd. Occupy Charleston will be occupying Brittlebank Park for 99 hours in a show of solidarity with our sisters and brothers fighting the good fight up on Wall St, demanding accountability from corporate America for ruining our economy and demanding that they loose their iron hold on our politics.  OBP will be erecting a tent city, cooking food, doing marches and holding meetings. They will have live music and open assemblies and speeches and whatever else they decide to plan!

• Is the Party Over? Thur, Oct 20 11:00am – 12:00pm, Brittlebank Park, 180 Lockwood Blvd. Local party leaders talk about their views regarding the continuing relevance or irrelevance of traditional political parties. Larry Carter Center will represent the Green Party. George Temple, Chairman of the Charleston County party, and Carol Temple will represent the Democrats. Republicans TBA. The Libertarians are also invited to participate.

• Lowcountry Progressive Network Meeting, Mon, Oct. 24, 7:00pm, ILA Hall, 1142 Morrison Dr.  Come be updated on the photo ID law, elect regional Progressive Network coordinators, and make plans for the Oct. 29 state Network conference. Call 803-808-3384 or email network@scpronet.com for information.

• 16th Annual SC Progressive Network Strategy Summit, Sat, Oct. 29, 10:00am – 5:00pm, Brookland Baptist Fellowship Hall, 1o66 Sunset Blvd, Columbia.  Activists from across the state will gather in Columbia to shape organizing efforts for the coming year. This is an all-day event. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Call 803-808-3384 or email network@scpronet.com with agenda suggestions and to RSVP. Map: http://g.co/maps/baq76

• Adopt-a-Highway trash pickup, Sat, Nov 5, 10:30am, 5th Ave/St Andrews Blvd.  Our last pickup of 2011 is Saturday, Nov 5. Meet in front of the historic Emanuel AME Church on the corner of 5th Ave and St Andrews Blvd in the Maryville section of West Ashley at 10:30am.

• South Carolina Green Party Steering Committee monthly meeting, Sat, Nov 12 noon – 4:00pm, Richland County Public Library, Columbia (downtown/Main branch). Monthly meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome.

• Vigil to Close the School of Americas (aka School of Assassins), Fort Benning, Georgia, Nov 18-20
  If you want to attend, contact anna@charlestonpeace.net for carpooling info.

Jack Bass in the Post & Courier: History shows secession was about slavery

Published Sunday, December 26, 2010 in the Charleston Post & Courier.

URL: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/dec/26/history-showssecession-wasabout-slavery/

By Jack Bass

Jack Bass is a South Carolina author, journalist and historian and one of the most respected chroniclers of our state. Perhaps best known for his work on the Orangeburg Massacre, Bass has also authored biographies of Strom Thurmond (Strom) and Judge Frank M. Johnson, as well as a history of the implementation of Brown v Board of Education across the South (Unlikely Heroes). His wife, Nathalie Dupree, ran a Charleston-based write-in campaign for U.S. Senate against Jim DeMint, Alvin Greene and Green Party nominee Tom Clements.

Now that the Sons of Confederate Veterans have held their Sesquicentennial Ball, which may remain as Charleston’s most widely reported commemorative event (The Washington Post’s story drew more than 400 reader comments), perhaps the time has come to remember how 116 South Carolina historians have assessed the causes of secession. They researched and issued their statement near the peak of our state’s great debate a decade ago over removal of the Confederate battle flag from the Statehouse dome.

The chief author was Charles Joyner of Coastal Carolina University. He is among three signers elected as president of the Southern Historical Association. They and the 113 other signatories speak with authority about this central issue.

Here’s what the historians concluded a decade ago:

“The crux of the present controversy is not in the flag itself but in conflicting interpretations of the meaning of the Civil War. Some South Carolinians deny that the Civil War was fought over slavery, maintaining that it was fought over the rights of the states to control their own destinies. Slavery, they believe, was incidental.

“But when South Carolina delegates walked out of the 1860 Democratic National Convention in Charleston as a prelude to secession, their spokesman William Preston minced no words in declaring that ‘Slavery is our King; slavery is our Truth; slavery is our Divine Right.’ And a few months later when the signers of the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession issued their Declaration of the Causes of Secession, they specifically referred to the ‘domestic institution’ of slavery. They objected that the free states have ‘denounced as sinful the institution of Slavery.’ They charged that the free states had ‘encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes; and those who remain have been incited by emissaries, books, and pictures, to hostile insurrection.’