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Better understanding through Tactical Ignorance

2012-03-16T12:43:20Z

What are the consequences of policies enacted by political representatives? This is the question the we all strive to understand, and that politicians struggle to communicate. And of course, the communications are aimed at either portraying a policy as a panacea, or as the worst idea that have ever been presented. So how do we better understand the likely consequences of policies that our political representatives are championing?

I have found a useful method that I want to share with you:

Tactical ignorance.

Yes, ignorance. Now, some of you may be thinking that this does not make sense, because isn't ignorance a bad thing? Is it not a state of being uninformed, of not knowing, of not understanding? Of course it is all of those things, but it does not imply a lack of wisdom and insight. We all know that vast expenditure of time and treasure that political figures use when attempting to convince the public of the positive or negative consequences of a policy being enacted.

This is where the tactical ignorance comes in. By pretending not to know what the advertised consequences of a policy or position are, we can better determine the actual outcome or consequences. Lets work with two examples. President Obama's "all of the above" energy policy, and the GOP policy to reduce or eliminate abortions, curtail science-based sex ed, and limit access to contracteptives.

What are the likely consequences of Obama's "All of the Above" energy policy? Let's pretend we've never heard his explanation of what the goal is.

Increase in domestic oil production causes temporary decrease in foreign oil imports. US oil exports increase as oil companies sell their oil on the world market.
Increase in domestic natural gas production via hydraulic fracturing. Ground water pollution/contamination dramatically increases due to toxic substances in the "hydraulic" component of the process.
Moderate increase in renewable energy production. Adoption of renewables is continually hobbled by continued focus on coal, oil, and gas. The problem of fossil fuels being too cheap and renewables being too expensive is not realistically addressed.
Greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase as fossil fuel extraction and use increases. Human-caused global warming accelerates.
Long term dependence on foreign oil is exacerbated due to depletion of domestic supply. The US has a tiny fraction of oil reserves when compared to oil-rich regions such as the Middle-East. Dramatic domestic production increases will only temporarily decrease price (maybe) over a finite time horizon.
Increase in nuclear reactor construction. Construction serves to replace some of the oldest aging reactors in the US. Increase in nuclear waste continues to exacerbate problem of safe storage of depleted fuel, thus increasing costly storage and cleanup economic and environmental burdens on future generations

So, out of this series of likely outcomes, we can conclude that the actual consequences of the "All of the Above energy policy are: a continuation of the status quo (best case scenario) or, depletion of domestic fossil fuel reserves, environmental damage, global warming, and increased dependence on foreign oil (worst case scenario).

What are the likely consequences of the GOP's drive to reduce or eliminate abortions? Let's pretend we've never heard the explanation of what the goal is.

The ability for women to get abortions will dramatically fall. Goverment and private adoption agencies may be overloaded, and foster-home resources may be overloaded as un-wanted children flood the system.
Increasing numbers of family's and single parents will be raising more children. Economic resources of the family will be further strained, and more children will grow up in poverty.
Unwanted children may be targeted for abuse by parents at a higher rate than children of planned pregnancies. This could be due to resentment, bitterness, inability of the parent to cope with the stress of child-rearing, etc.
GOP insistence on "abstinence only" sex ed, or elimination of sex ed from health curricula nationwide. Endless scientific studies have shown that lack of science-based, and reality-based sex ed causes unwanted pregnancies, and increased rates of STD transmission.
Women will have increased costs and barriers to accessing effective methods of contraception. Lack of access will result in continued higher birth rates for already poor women who have limited economic resources for child-rearing, and will put mounting economic pressure on the middle-class as increased birthrates drive families and women into poverty.

So, out of this series of likely outcomes, we can conclude that the actual consequences of the GOP policy to reduce or eliminate abortions, curtail science-based sex ed, and limit access to contracteptives are: overloading of adoption and fostercare system with children, more children growing up in poverty, subjected to physical and mental abuse, increased unwanted pregnancies in teens along with increased STD rates, and finally, social and economic trauma endured by women will increase due to lack of access to effective contraception.

See how effective "tactical ignorance" can be in examining the likely outcomes of policy proposals? Once the empty promises, unproven assumptions, and ideological hyperbole are stripped away, you can get at the heart of the issue.

Ending corruption in Congress, and the road to reclaiming our Republic

2012-01-15T20:51:53Z

Hello everyone,

Laurence Lessig, a Professor of Ethics and Law at Harvard, made a very important presentation about how money in politics has completely severed the relationship between Congress and the citizens of the United States. His recent presentation at Google outlines the extensive and insidious nature of the problem, suggests some solutions, and calls on citizens to do their duty to themselves, their fellow Americans, and to the Republic, so that our democracy may be reclaimed from the moneyed interests that play the system to their advantage, or our misery.

Forward this one far and wide, friends, this concerns nothing less than the future of our nation.

Jill Stein, Green Party presidential candidate, is coming to NOVA

2012-01-11T15:38:44Z

Great news! Jill Stein, a candidate for the Green Party presidential nomination, is coming to Arlington!

Details below:

Friends,

Dr. Jill Stein, GPUS Presidential Candidate, will be in the Northern Virginia/DC area, mid-January. We have scheduled a house party so people can get to know Jill better. We'll meet at the home of John Reeder.   We'll have snacks and drinks.    If you can, please rsvp to tamar@gp.org.   Even if you haven't let us know, come anyway. We're just trying to get a rough estimate of attendance.

When:    Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 7:30pm
Where:    1812 N. Huntington Street, Arlington, Va 22205
Contact:   Tamar Yager, 703-534-2187 or 502-296-3849

Metro: Orange line to East Falls Church.   Need to call Tamar for a pick-up (advance notice please).

Driving directions: from Lee Highway and Harrison Street go south on Harrison Street to 18th Street; go right onto 18th Street and go 3 blocks to a right onto Huntington Street. The house is the third house on the left.

-- 
Tamar Yager
GPUS Steering Committee Co-Chair
Virginia Delegate

Getting attention for your campaign: Release a really hateful video....

2011-12-08T19:07:04Z

Check out the likes and dislikes!

Reality check: Unemployment rate "drops" to 8.6%. Good news, or bad?

2011-12-02T17:31:57Z

According to major news reports, the unemployment rate has dropped from 9.0% to 8.6%

This is great news, right? Well, not really, and I will explain why.

First, the unemployment rate measures people who are without any employment (including part-time), who are *actively looking for work. *So, if you are unemployed, and give up looking for work, you are no longer part of the "unemployment rate."

Here is where the important part of the Washington Post article comes into play:

"The jobless rate fell to 8.6 percent last month, from 9 percent in October, the lowest level since the economic free-fall of March 2009, the Labor Department reported Friday morning. But the improvement in the job market was not quite as strong as that drop would suggest: *About half the decline was attributed to people dropping out of the labor force, no longer counting themselves as even looking for work." (emphasis mine)* * *

What we have here is not so much the generation of new jobs to absorb unemployed job-seekers, we have a general contraction of the labor force as people simply give up looking because so few new jobs are actually being created. This is a tragic loss economically, not only to the people out of work, and the economic and social disruption that unemployment causes, but to the nation in general - we have so much creative talent and productive capacity laying idle, the loss is tragic.

Steps to recovery:

1. Admit you have a problem, and begin accurately measuring it. A reasonably accurate unemployment rate would take into account: people unemployed who are actively seeking work, people under-employed (laid off and took a lower paying full time job or a part-time job), and the discouraged unemployed (have given up looking for work).

2. Protect the economic status of the laid off through unemployment insurance. Why? Once you sink into poverty, it is very hard to get of poverty. At the macroeconomic level , this keeps more people at a higher level of economic consumption.

3. Engage in value-added public works programs - schools, roads, bridges, dams, conservation projects, inner city revitalization, etc - so that when the economy ticks upward, there will be infrastructure to support growth.

Congrats to the Greens elected in Virginia!

2011-11-25T02:16:22Z

Congratulations are in order for the Virginia Green Party members who won their election contests a few weeks ago! Greens provide dedicated, values-driven, and accountable representation for Virginia in a way that the Democrats and Republicans cannot.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2011

Contact
Miriam Gennari
Press Secretary
Cell: 703-309-1600 / (H) 703-549-1422
Email: press@vagreenparty.org

Green and Qualified!

With development on the rise and plans around Virginia to start producing more carbon based energy at home, citizens concerned about the condition of our states soil and water gained ground this November. Greens will influence improvements of Virginia environment serving on the The Virginia Soil and Water Board. The Board is made up of elected Directors to represent most communities in Virginia. Many of the values and concerns of the organization, which gets it funding from federal, state, local and grant monies, mirror those of the Virginia Green Party. Directors, serve in non-partisan and unpaid positions, working on behalf of their Districts and the Commonwealth.

On November 8, 2011 long time Green, Chris Simmons took the majority of votes for the Loudoun Soil & Water Conservations District. Chris is a known leader among his peers in both parties, but the fact that the majority of votes were cast for him is telling. Elected for a second term, District Vice-Chair and Treasurer, Simmons has spent his last term great deal educating Virginians about the important work done by the organization. His commitment to preserving and conserving Virginia natural resources, as well as educating citizens is what makes him so influential in his community. He hopes to focus his energy this term on addressing the rampant polluting of Virginia’s watersheds before delicate ecosystems are irreversibly altered. Some answers says Simmons are easy, “It starts with "Conservation: Every body, every where, everyday"

Joining Simmons as Directors for the next four years is Giannina Ienco. Ms. Ienco won a seat on the Tri-County/City Board which is based in Fredericksburg. Although Giannina entered the race at the last minute, she managed to run a successful write-in campaign reaching many voters in the City of Fredericksburg. Giannina's decision to run was not an easy one, "With a full-time job, traveling husband and two young children at home, I was concerned that I would not have the resources needed to fulfill a director position. However, with support and encouragement from my fellow Virginia Greens, I decided that I wanted to pursue a more active role in protecting and conserving the natural resources of our community for future generations."Giannnia spent 11 years working on environmental issue for the US government. Green Party member, Ira Richards who won his bid for Warren County Soil and Water Director brings with him needed professional experience in
sustainable agriculture. “I am very pleased that I will now be able to apply my 30 years consulting experience in soil and water conservation to local issues," says Richards.

Tom Yager, Vriginia Green Party Co-Chair has been scouring the state for active Greens who would like to help in a constructive ways to mitigate the damage being caused business and development. Yager explains that every diverse region comes with it’s own unique set of challenges. Finding people who are not only informed but active in their communities is not always easy. “I look for people who care enough to sacrifice some personal time for Virginia’s greater good. There are plenty of people out there who will find the tough decision to run easier if they know that the Virginia Green Party is behind them.”

Individuals interested in learning more about the role the Greens play in the promoting environmental sustainability should contact their local chapter. Additional information is available online at http://www.vagreenparty.org

###

The Green Party of Virginia is the electoral arm of the Green movement within Virginia. Recognized by the Commonwealth’s State Board of Elections, the GPVA consists of affiliated locals and “at-large” members. The GPVA is accredited by the Green Party of the United States.

The GPVA provides and promotes leadership in its 10 Key Values, including nonviolence, social justice, environmentalism, grassroots democracy, decentralization, community-based economics, sustainability, feminism, diversity, and personal & global responsibility.
__._,_.___

Political tactics primer: Playing the (phony) Victim Card

2011-11-15T18:36:01Z

This story was just too good of an example of a prime political tactic that the powerful use to retain dominance over the weak: The Phony Victim.

As we all know, the Catholic Church is vehemently opposed to same-sex marriage. Therefore, they do not perform same-sex marriages. They have also vehemently opposed all efforts by various states to pass laws that allow same-sex couples to apply for, and receive, marriage licenses issued by the state.

Here is a story from the NY Times detailing the Catholic Church's new 'We're the real victim here' tactic: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/us/bishops-renew-fight-on-abortion-and-gay-marriage.html

The reason that this is a phony victim scenario is that the views of the Catholic Church (no same sex marriage) are still reflected in the vast majority of states. Now, as this changes, the church feels threatened that something will become legal that they do not support. To that end, they raise all sorts of phony alarms about "religious liberty" and "freedom of worship" implying that jack-booted government thugs will force Catholic churches to perform same-sex marriages. (This is also a clever combination use of the "cause confusion and doubt" tactic often used in issue campaigns.)

*Reality check time! Number of same sex marriages that the government has forced any church to perform: ZERO.* In fact, the recent same sex marriage law that passed in New York state specifically states that churches cannot be compelled to perform same sex marriage ceremony's.

The only "right" being "restricted" is the desire of the Catholic church to see their religious view that same-sex marriage is forbidden be reflected in the laws of the state, regardless of the view point of the general public and their elected representatives.

Occupy The Ballot?

2011-11-15T03:14:49Z

From The Northern Virginia Green Party http://www.novagreens.org/journal/2011/11/14/is-occupy-wall-street-transforming-into-an-electoral-movemen.html

Occupy Wall Street, and its related regional and local movements, have captured the attention and imagination of American's everywhere who fight for the rights of the 99% (in simple terms, that everyone who isn't a millionaire). The current political system serves the needs of the top 1% of income earners and wealth-owners quite well. They and their corporations fund the candidates, and the PAC's, and the think tanks, and the research instutions that support their system of greed. The "Occupy" movement has been characterized by a populist, non-partisan orientation. Meaning, they support values and policies that lift up the poor, the middle-class, and the small business owners, while standing against huge corporations that buy off our politicians, and send our jobs and profits overseas.

Corporations are not people.

2011-11-11T17:02:23Z

David Cobb, 2004 Green Party candidate for President, is one of the leaders of Move To Amend which supports the banning of corporate personhood. Why is this a problem? Corporations, through laws and court decisions, have gathered more and more "rights" that were previously only reserved for human citizens. Now, through their lavish funding of elected officials, corporate "rights" are trumping the rights of individuals and their communities.

Listen in as David Cobb talks about this important issue, and what you can do in your community.

Daryl Northrop

Finally, some decent headlines!

2011-11-09T13:52:33Z