It’s not easy bein’ Green

It’s tough representing an alternate political view in a nation that refuses to look past the two-party system for candidates—resulting in U.S. elections with as much choice as a Coke vs. Pepsi taste test. Even though 48 percent of voting Americans chose a Republican in the 2000 presidential election, and the Supreme Court refused to allow every vote to be counted, many blamed the 2.74 percent of voters who went Green for the Bush administration’s victory. The Green Party has become the Democrats’ favorite scapegoat for political defeat.

Nevada City’s independent community radio station, KVMR, invites you to take a closer look at the role of the Green Party in the upcoming election. The station is sponsoring a debate titled “Resolved: The Greens Should Not Run a Candidate for President in 2004.” Political analyst Normon Solomon, director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, will argue in favor of this resolution and uphold the belief that a vote against the Democrats is a vote for the Republicans. Green Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Camejo will argue against the resolution, on the grounds that the two-party system already has failed Americans by stifling a diversity of ideas. Camejo insists that the input of a Green candidate moves debate further to the left, weakening the conservative agenda.

The event is a fund-raiser for KVMR and will feature live music by Nevada City duo Paul Kamm and Eleanor MacDonald. Tickets are $12 or $6 for students and low-income guests. Doors open on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Crest Theatre, located at 1013 K Street. The debate begins at 7:30 p.m. This event also will be broadcast live on KVMR 89.5 FM. Visit www.kvmr.org for more information.