[EM] language/framing quibble

[Dave Ketchum]

While I see value in parties, the purpose of my post was to describe what 
happens in New York State - parties here are not permitted the power you 
had described - or do describe below.

The Greens are, in one sense, a world wide party.  A few years ago they 
owned no elective power in NY - though, like any voters in NY, they could 
nominate independent candidates by petition.

So, they nominated a candidate for governor, who got the magic 50,000 votes 
- making them a party with ballot status.

Looking at them a couple years later:
      They own a line on the ballot for their party candidates.
      Voters can enroll as Greens.
      State conducts a primary election for them, just as it does for every 
party with ballot status.
      Their county and state committees get elected to two-year terms in 
primary election.  These committees can designate candidates for primary 
election.  Likewise, groups of party members can designate candidates by 
petition.  Winning the primary election nominates anyone as the Green 
candidate for the general election.

Later their candidate for governor failed to get the 50,000 votes, so 
forget ballot status.   Greens still get together and keep BY active in the 
national Greens organization, but with no special status in NY elections.

DWK

On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:55:21 -0500 Fred Gohlke wrote:
> Good Afternoon, Dave
> 
> I fear there is a great difference in our views.  You seem to feel 
> parties have a rightful place in our political infrastructure.
> 
> I don't.
> 
> I have no objection to the existence of parties.  I consider them a 
> vital part of society.  However, I deny, vehemently, that they have a 
> right to arrogate to themselves control of our government.
> 
> Democracy means that each of us have a right to participate in governing 
> ourselves, to the extent of our interest and ability.  Nothing in the 
> concept of democracy, or in the Constitution on which our nation was 
> founded, grants the right of governance to self-interested groups of 
> power-seekers who have turned themselves into conduits for corruption, 
> pandering to vested interest and operating to the detriment of the 
> humans among us.
> 
> Fred
-- 
  davek at clarityconnect.com    people.clarityconnect.com/webpages3/davek
  Dave Ketchum   108 Halstead Ave, Owego, NY  13827-1708   607-687-5026
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