The Green Transformation of American Politics. Dubya, like his father
did before him, is activating my impulse to be a raging
environmentalist. I have been a Green Party member for a couple years
now, and I voted for Nader in the last election. It's easy being
Green in the Bay Area, however. More impressive is my brother, who was
Green in Orange County way before I gave up on the Democrats. And
after reading Against All Odds, I'm truly ready to be an
idealist again. Rensenbrink first explains why American politics is
just not working right now, and then calls for a transformation of the
system. Not a complete overthrow, but a change. He also covers the
history of the Green Party in America from his front row seat as a
major player, a story that is filled with much intrigue and
divisiveness but also ultimately with hope. With all that is
desperately wrong in this country right now, it can be good to be
filled with optimism and the desire to enact change every now and
again.
It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry
out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than
to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all
those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all
those who would profit by the new order, this lukewarmness arising
partly from fear of their adversaries, who have the laws in the favor;
and partly from the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in
anything new until they have had actual experience of it. Thus it
arises that on every opportunity for attacking the reformer, his
opponents do so with the zeal of partisans, the others only defend him
halfheartedly, so that between them he runs great danger.
—Niccolò Machiavelli
From The Prince, Chapter VI
Socrates: There are those who have tasted how sweet and blessed a
possession philosophy is, and have also seen enough of the madness of
the multitude; and they know that no politician is honest, nor is there
any champion of justice at whose side they may fight and be saved.
Such a one may be compared to a man who has fallen among wild
beasts—he will not join in the wickedness of his fellows, but
neither is he able singly to resist all their fierce natures, and
therefore seeing that he would be of no use to the State [the polis],
or to his friends... he holds his peace, and goes his own way. He is
like one who, in the storm and dust and sleet which the driving wind
hurries along, retires under the shelter of a wall; and seeing the rest
of humankind full of wickedness, he is content, if only he can live his
own life and be pure from evil or unrighteousness, and depart in peace
and goodwill, with bright hopes.
Adeimantus: Yes, and he will have done a great work before he
departs.
Socrates: A great work—yes; but not the greatest, unless he finds
a polis suitable to him; for in a polis which is suitable to him, he
will have a larger growth and be the savior of his country, as well as
of himself.
—Plato From The Republic, Book VI
We whose names are underwritten...having undertaken...a voyage to plant
the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these
presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of
another, covenant and combine ourselves into a civil body politic, for
our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends
aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such
just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from
time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the
general good....
—Mayflower Compact
November 11, 1620
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Heidi J. De Vries
