The essence of democracy 
By Jill Bussiere
Wisconsin Green Party

The threat of the corporate parties to the future of the Green Party has been much discussed among Greens nationally. It is a good discussion. Yet our greatest threat currently is not from the corporate parties, but from the behavior of some of my fellow Greens who demean those who disagree with them. That has disappointed me. People can have differing views about what democracy is and how the Green Party should be structured to best implement that vision and still be good people, passionate about democracy.

There are those within any entity who will attempt to gain power and control to the exclusion of others. The struggle within our own party has banished our naïveté and challenged each of us. It is humbling.

The essence of democracy is deep respect for others and their differing points of view and an ability to compromise. In a democratic organization or society no single group gets its way entirely, nor should it. Otherwise many would be left without a voice. Greens are strong supporters of individual rights and voices being heard. We strive for gender balance. We value the voices of the underrepresented and continue to form caucuses so that they have more of a voice. 

Portions of the disagreement about state representation in the national party remind me of the debate among our forefathers in forming this country. The contention then was between the larger states, which felt that they should have the lion's share of representation, and the smaller states, which felt a need to have some representation and not get swallowed up by the will of the larger states. The resolution was to have a senate, where each state got two representatives, and a house, where states got representation according to their population. Our 2004 National Nominating Convention used a delegate formula that reflected both considerations. 

Some other indicators of Green strength and activity within each state included Green voting strength, number of elected candidates, and Electoral College delegates. Although the formula could be improved, and people with diverse views are working on that, to make a claim of "undemocratic" processes or a "rigged convention" doesn't move the discussion forward, nor is it respectful of the work that Greens in past years have expended while trying to resolve this very basic disagreement. 

We want to create a structure where all voices can be heard, not just the most powerful, and to work out compromises from among that diversity. Our best hope is to try to understand the ideas and aims of our fellow Greens while attempting to explain our own and working to move forward.

It saddens me that we in the Green Party are susceptible to the rancor that is prevalent in politics today. It is how we interact with one another that will be our measure. If we cannot interact respectfully and work together with those who share our core values most passionately, we will not be able to do so with those whose values differ from our own. We desperately need leadership-locally and nationally. I had hoped that we Greens would be leaders, as are our elected Greens in Wisconsin. But when I see the rancorous behavior within our national party, I grieve. I acknowledge our susceptibility to human foibles, and yet hold an expectation for myself and others that we may one day be able to fulfill.

Jill Bussiere is co-chair of the Wisconsin Green Party and of the WIGP Media Committee, and member of the GP-US International Committee. Her local chapter is the Ahnapee River Green Party.

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