If the Mountain Party is so awesome, then why haven’t they been able to get more than one candidate elected to anything, ever?
If the Mountain Party is so awesome, then why haven’t they been able to get more than one candidate elected to anything, ever?
July 17, 2008 at 7:27 am
Why is the Mountain Party so awesome? I’m with you on haterizing Garrison, Manchin, the WV republican “establishment” etc., but the Mountain Party’s “plan” for the West Virginia economy doesn’t excite me too much either. Their platform is basically to eliminate the extractive industries from the state… which I think would be great if we had alternative sources of income for undereducated citizens, but we don’t. Until our state becomes more business friendly (eliminate the excessive B&O tax on equipment would be a start) those extractive industries like coal, oil & gas, and timber are necessary to the economy in the southern part of the state. Corporate Welfare might be a problem on the federal level, but it ain’t a problem on the state level in WV unless you are in MoJoe’s back pocket.
July 17, 2008 at 8:56 am
Why haven’t they gotten anyone elected in their short lifespan? Maybe it’s because the system is totally under the control of the Dem/Reps and the $ supporting them. I just looked up their website because I was curious about who they were since I am not about to “send a message” to the Republican Party that I think Week’s views are OK by me. Here’s their platform. Crazies? Well, guess I am too. And if Manchin is going to win anyway, a strong vote for a candidate that supports this kind of platform is the message I want to send.
http://www.mtparty.org/platform/platform.html
July 17, 2008 at 9:35 am
Always interested Says…… Dude, that is such bullshit.
First of all, the Mountain Party is not a party. Define party? They are a bunch of throw-back hippies that do nothing but bitch about the coal companies. They know jack about education, the economy, health care, the National Guard, etc., This is the dog chasing the car. My God, what would happen if they actually caught the car?
These guys raise absolutely ZERO dollars…and, they make no sacrifices for their candidate: fund raisers, making and putting out signs, phone banks, etc.
It is a silly, sad game played by a bunch of people who should know better.
No one votes for them because of this simple fact: No one is that fucking stupid to vote for them.
All of us care for the environment, but we care about schools, arts, economic development and other things too.
I don’t like Joe Manchin. I don’t want MoJo as my governor. But, that said, realpoliticks is about power. And real power, is what you take…it is never given. Joe is the strongest of the three…and W.Va deserves the strongest possible. Will I vote for him? No…I will skip that category.
Jesse Johnson of the Mountain Party is an out of work nut job who lives with his mother. If he can’t raise rent money, how the hell is he gonna raise economic development?
The Republican Candidate is there by default? Any real Republican with any smarts simply had no courage to run…therefore, I am glad the cowards didn’t run.
MoJo…he took the power…and that is what it is all about!
He is an idiot…but, he is the strongest idiot out there ;-)
July 17, 2008 at 9:47 am
One of the reasons many tepidly progressive Democrats in WV, or, for that matter, a lot of fire-breathing liberal Democrats whose first allegiance is to this state’s blue-collar workers (e.g., loggers, sawmill employees, real as opposed to “toy” farmers, convenience store clerks & owners of those little convenience store/gas stations that wouldn’t even exist without that nearby sawmill and those pretty, well-kept, hard-worked farms), are loathe to be affiliated with Mountain Party types and their green program is that those rank-and-file workers rightly view the “tree-huggers,” as they call them, as being their enemy as much if not more than Dick Cheney and Enron’s smartest guys in the room.
This is especially true in parts of the state (non-coal areas) where the average income is low but there has never been a history of union affiliation. Some of the more thoughtful Joe Sixpacks may realize that environmentalist “progressives” give lip-service support t their interests and may even love them…in the abstract…but Joe Sixpack frankly don’t my dear give a damn about “abstractions.” Often as not, he lives in a small community that would die if the sawmill closes or the limestone quarry shuts down.
This schism is unfortunate, but it will continue to be the case for the reasons stated above by demosthenes: lack of economic diversity and job opportunity.
It’s easy for any WV politician to play divide and conquer by painting greens and lefty do-gooders as impractical, pampered, out-of-touch (and probably upper-middle-class) idealists who’d be better off living in Marin County than lecturing truck drivers in Tucker and Randolph Counties. On page one of the playbook patented by A. J. Manchin and every other successful politico ever worth a damn in this state that’s the play on page one along with God, Family & The Flag.
Here’s the WV “Left’s” dirty little secret: when WV politicians run that play and the “progressives” collapse like Pee Wee Football tots trying to tackle Owen Schmitt, it’s a masscre frequently satisfying to watch because there’s more than a little poetic justice being doled out in the rout.
July 17, 2008 at 9:48 am
Well it’s certainly a good thing that WV has always had people in power who know about all those things- schools, arts, healthcare, economy, etc. That must be why WV is in such good shape in all those areas.
July 17, 2008 at 9:50 am
This is from Jesse Johnson’s presidential campaing Web site:
“I was raised by working class parents. I’ve lived and worked bi-coastally in the largest cities anywhere, honing my crafts as an artist, performer and film maker. The rural nature of my personality and those values are alive and well inside.”
Alive and well inside of what? His presidential Web site has no listing of the issues. I repeat, his presidential Web site has no listing of the issues?
Wanna know why? Because his brain has no listing of the issues.
Here is the site address: http://jesse08.org/index.php
P.S. The Mountain Party site is full of such dribble as “no secretive tribunals on foreign trade..” I think the Mountain Party is a secretive tribunal. Is Tom Cruise running this group?
July 17, 2008 at 9:59 am
He’s bi-coastal, huh. That’ll play big in Mill Creek.
July 17, 2008 at 10:27 am
Wait a minute, I was talking about the governors race, not the presidency. I certainly wouldn’t want to put Jesse in as president, but isn’t there a good mountain party throw-away vote for governor?
Anyway in terms of keeping things real, arguing about who to throw away your governor’s vote on is silly.
What about a thread on something that we can do something about-
July 17, 2008 at 10:43 am
ps- I do think, ex-button, your explanation is interesting though. I agree- divide and conquer is the gameplan. It’s a shame, because the lack of education and opportunities, things which would be addressed with a progressive platform, would actually benefit the people you talk about. Of course that’s long-term, and people need to put food on the table.
July 17, 2008 at 10:51 am
I thought he lived on one of the floors about The Edge on Capitol Street.
July 17, 2008 at 11:00 am
“above”
July 17, 2008 at 11:12 am
I love how Jesse’s Bio says he attended “several other universities.” Why that seems like something to boast about is puzzling to me.
July 17, 2008 at 11:25 am
it may be better than putting WVU at this point?
July 17, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Jesse’s the only candidate with a soft core Cinemax skin movie on his resume!
July 17, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Larry, i will vote for him then!…………………….anything going on at the HSC?.anyone seen any faculty outside of their closed office doors?…..
July 17, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Here’s something good about Jesse. Several years ago, there was a debate with Manchin, Warner, and Johnson. The only one who showed up was Jesse; the others sent fill ins. He is easy on the eyes, personable, and he was surprisingly well informed. I don’t know if I can vote Mountain Party since it isn’t exactly results-driven, but then who is unless it some unethical thing they want to achieve?
July 17, 2008 at 2:53 pm
“Easy on the eyes”? Holy shit, the standards in this town really ARE low.
July 17, 2008 at 2:56 pm
What do you expect? We started the day out talking about Carolyn Long, didn’t we?
July 17, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I might be remembering this wrong, but–
During one of those gubernatorial debates in ‘04, Jesse Johnson went on for a while about how West Virginia needs to balance its budget. I believe it was Joe Manchin who pointed out to him that West Virginia’s budget is balanced, and always has been, because the state constitution requires it.
Jesse might be a nice guy (I don’t know him), but he’s not a serious candidate for office. I’m sorry if that hurts anyone’s feelings, but it’s true.
July 17, 2008 at 3:12 pm
“If elected governor, I would also ensure safeguards on liberty by demanding a bicameral legislature.”
July 17, 2008 at 3:12 pm
HK, of course you are right. He is not a serious candidate.
July 17, 2008 at 3:31 pm
The Mountain Party was/is a good idea. The problem is the people who organized it lack, well, pretty much everything it takes to succeed on even a low level. I won’t be quite as mean as some of the posters above but it’s fair to say the Mountainites or whatever they call themselves lack people with any knowledge, training or practical experience in anything remotley related to government or politics. Moreover, they don’t seem to care. the Party such as it is seems content to squeak above the 1% of the vote each gubernatorial election so they do the same the next election.
Not only do they fail to strengthen the organization to the point where it might be a factor (even as a Nader-type spoiler) in elections for any office, they don’t even manage to effectively raise issues and require the candidates from other parties to address them.
That said, the existence of a Party with access to the ballot could be used to do some good. The reality is the Party and its place on the ballot is there for the taking and quite probably ALMOST ANYONE who really wanted to do it could probably convince enough friends (what would it take 20-30 people?) to register with the Mountain Party, attend the convention and take over the Party.
Some of you who are disenchanted with the two major Parties but recognize the waste of the ballot space which the MP currently represents might want to consider organizing within the MP structure and recruiting people who might make serious candidates for office at least to the extent of having meaningful positions on important issues that draw attention to need the major Parties neglect (or even subvert).
So, why don’t we all vote for Mr, Johnson for Governor to make sure the MP gets the needed 1% this time (Manchin’s going to win and why protest vote for Weeks or some write-in?). Then with its position on the 2010 and 2012 ballots secure, the MP can easily be subject to a replacement of its anemic leadershipI if only a relatively small number of people who have a background in fields that provide a shred of credibility (law, government, education, business, health care…) got involved a meaningful alternative to the major parties could be developed.
Denise Giardina, Johnson and their handful of friends are nice folks and if the commitment to environmental refor was maintained (albeit fleshed out with something more than extremist slogans with no practical possibility of implementation) they might even graciously accept giving way to more qualified people.
July 17, 2008 at 5:32 pm
The Mountain Party? Is that the Rainbow People?
July 17, 2008 at 5:45 pm
demosthenes.or.locke: The extractive industries like coal, oil & gas, and timber are necessary to the economy in the southern part of the state, and more importantly they are necessary for the well being of the nation. We can’t buy everything for overseas, we don’t have the money. All the real wealth of the world either comes from “extractive industries or agriculture. The rest is just circulating paper.
July 17, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Bot: Bicameral legislature and a one Party system. Is that an oxymoron?
Bot:
July 17, 2008 at 8:24 pm
logical: well said.
July 17, 2008 at 9:15 pm
WV needs a democratic party, not the bullshit they have right now. Smart people need to stand up and challenge the party establishment in primaries.
I can’t say this enough … it is staggering to see the lack of talent in the Democratic party in WV. Average intelligence, no vision, cronyism. These guys should not be leading. In short … they all suck. Form Manchin, to Mike Oliverio and on down the line.
July 17, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Easy on the eyes? No..he isn’t. He isn’t easy on the ears or the nose either.
He used to live above The Edge..now, he is at his mother’s.
Jesse is running for president of the U.S. Ask him to name one of the U.S. territories and..if he does..I’ll give $100 to his campaign.
Jesse is a nice guy…about as bright as Reid-Smith.
I take that back…Reid-smith speaks foreign languages….
Jesse is a nice guy…about as bright as Joe Manchin.
July 17, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I was very upset, when I read the “Bring ‘em on” article . Joe Manchin may very well be totally without blame in the granting of his daugther’s degree, but he is surely not blameless for his reaction. He let WVU swing in the “wind of ridicule” for 6 months, when he should have kicked his daughters ass and fired Garrison, among other things. Now, he wants everyone to think he’s totally innocent. Bullshit!!!
July 17, 2008 at 10:37 pm
http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_198225806.html
This is the “bring em on” article in case you missed it on the other thread or on garrisonmustgo.
July 17, 2008 at 10:43 pm
WV open for business - keep it that way. Spread your legs, take the coal. It’s your state, it ain’t your coal, it ain’t your money, it ain’t the economy. I don’t care what party your going to.
July 18, 2008 at 7:26 am
Thanks or the link, fox hunter. Here’s one quote from the article. Don’t we usually hear this said about UFOs?
“All that they can do is continue to find out the truth, which is what’s been out there from the beginning,” she (Ramsburg) said.
July 18, 2008 at 7:44 am
“bring them on” a little late to the table with that. He and the BOG should have initiated that a long time ago thru every channel that exists. then this mess would not have become the STINK that it is. when I think I can’t get more disgusted with these guys, they surprise me every time. I just hope he continues to be so arrogant and above it all, couldn’t be a clearer picture.
July 18, 2008 at 8:09 am
If ever there were a time NOT to “move on,” it is now. The focus needs to stay on the Manchin Bresch episode, what happened (or not) to the guilty parties, and what’s going on at HSC.
July 18, 2008 at 8:16 am
“Bring ‘em on” is a form of childish, playground behavior that has no place in a higher education shared governance setting. Hopefully MIR’s efforts will actually achieve that someday.
July 18, 2008 at 11:19 am
Way to go HK, being the only media outlet in WV willing to talk about the three candidates in the Governor’s race. Thank god for a free press, free people and free elections.
What West Virginia and the Mountain Party needs is campaign finance reform. Progressive Candidates for 2010 and 2012 are also both absolutely necessary. Funding (donations) from like minded people would not hurt either.
Money in the form of donations and campaign finance reform are the only way to break the stranglehold and media blackout being enforced by the WV Mafia to discourage progressive democrats and to cheat the independent candidates all together.
Even better, Volunteer if you think the Mountain Party can and should do better. This is a participatory Democracy and not a spectator sport. When less than 50% of the eligible voters actually vote, we get stale Republican crackers like Manchin (and Bush / McCain). Because we can and should do better as a society, the WV Mountain Party represents a fresh alternative to the spread ‘um for business philosophy which has put WV in last place economically for almost a century. It is time to allow West Virginia to prosper from our natural resources and not simply be exploited for corporate gain.
Jesse Johnson is campaigning on a platform of Primary Health Security for every citizen of West Virginia. Good jobs, with good wages and access to the services necessary to maintain a quality of life. We deserve a standard of living on par with our rich state resources. Unlike the other two candidates for Governor, Johnson recognizes the greatest natural resource in this state is the human resource of the great people of West Virginia. Jesse recognizes the infrastructure necessary to help rise our people above the poverty policies of the two major political parties.
Don’t believe the hype that these Mountain Party tree huggers are out to kill jobs. Nothing could be further from the truth. For example, Mountain Party Candidate Jesse Johnson recognizes coal will be mined, and mining it responsibly creates jobs. Mining coal responsibly does not destroy jobs. According to the Coal Association 2007 annual report, underground mines employed an average of 6 times the number of people employed to mine the same tonnage as a surface mine. Complying with existing environmental laws would also create jobs.
Democrats at their convention failed to take Mountain Top Removal seriously even though public opinion is opposed to this nightmarish mining practice, because of the influence of King Coal money in WV politics (remember the Supreme Court purchase of Justice Benjamin’s seat, while at the same time King Coal tried to purchase the WV state legislature). Just like Big Pharma money corrupted WVU from the Governors office on down, the Mountain Party does represent what many have called the “loyal opposition” to the special interest politics nationally and in this state.
Right now the Mountain Party, with ballot access, has just as much chance to win the Governors Office in 2008 as Manchin or Weeks. The fundamental principle of a functioning Democracy is access to the ballot and the right of the people to vote for the candidate of their choice.
The corporate media does not want Johnson (or any progressive in office) because Jesse represents a shift toward a more responsible, accessible and accountable government. A government of the people, for the people and by the people, instead of a give away government that selectively enforces draconian laws on people, while corporate special interests loot the state for every thing we have, expecting special privileges such as unearned MBA’s in the process.
And Squid is correct, the Mountain Party needs people to join now in time to run for office in the 2010 and 2012 elections. The Mountain Party does need People to register to run for office and take on the democratic party oligarchy which dominates WV. Remember there are local elections in 2009 and 2011, which the Mountain Party also has ballot access for.
Because this is a free country and Mountaineers are Always Free, the Mountain Party can win the Governors office in 2008 because we have a democracy. We are not required to vote for Dem Rats or the Repugs just because the corporate media refuses to recognize the other candidate in the race.
The climate of corruption which has swept America is now a battle ground in West Virginia. Justice Maynard lost the primary because people are fed up with the corruption of OUR government. The Mountain Party represents exactly the greatest hope for the future of this state. Allowing third parties to participate in the debate and political process allows alternative ideas and progressive solutions to be part of the long range plan for a healthy and prosperous West Virginia.
Thank you Hippy Killer for addressing the Mountain Party ballot access issue when the rest of the media in this state seems to think it is still 1850.
Make this a November to remember and Vote Mountain Party for Governor.
July 18, 2008 at 12:07 pm
If I wanted to make a difference in WV politics, I would ask myself this question — the candidates of which party, Dem or Rep, will receive the most “party loyalty” votes? That provides a great base from which to win elections.
I assume most of us would answer “Democrat.” This is convenient, because the Democrats have shown themselves to be capable of hosting more than one faction at a time (understatement of the year). Therefore — start a new faction of the Democrat party. Start today. File to run as a Dem for some small office that no one else wants, then work your way up. Raise money for Legislators and statewide office candidates. You will have your ass handed to you for several years — grin and bear (bare) it. When enough progressives do that, they can steer the Dems to a better place. Until that day, parties like the Mountain Party just drain away support that could be used for real change.
Of course, if you think WVians can be retrained to vote in a discriminating manner, the Republican party is also an alternative. Maybe a viable, progressive Rep party in WV could exert a little pressure on the national party to stop pandering to the far right.
July 18, 2008 at 4:19 pm
So, Mountain Partiers should infiltrate the DEM party. Interesting idea.
July 18, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Evidently you have not been in WV long if you are under the impression that elective offices exist that “no one wants.” I think if you inquire of longer term residents you will find that there is no shortage of people desirious of the power and perks of office even when a rational eye might discern that the petty power and paltry perks of some offices hardly seem worth any assumption of responsibility or liability.
It seems nearly daily that we read of internecine small town conflicts involving vicious fights between petty office holders (see: Dunbar, Clendenin, Nitro, Marmet, Chesapeake …..) over very limited power and very limited money. look also at the staunch opposition to government consolidation and/or metro government motivated almost entirely by fear of losing the power of these petty offices.
Also, something an experienced WVian would recognize is that these small offices very rarely serve as a launching pad for a political career. Can you name anyone in recent memory who ascended to statewide office or even a position of prominence in the legislature from a position as a small town mayor or councilperson?
No political offices of even diminutive stature are highly coveted in WV — mainly because politics in WV serves as a means of personal enrichment (albeit often on a less than grand scale) in a place with very limited opportunities for private sector advancement for many citizens.
The way to get ahead in WV is not to start at the bottom and ascend through recognized merit. The path is obvious and well trodden– suck up to the rich and powerful who could not be bothered to dirty their own hands grubbing around in politics but are always willing to “help” a striver who is willing to do their bidding.
July 18, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I fully agree with Squid - We, the people, should put the WV Mountain Party in the Governors Office this November 2008. He with the most votes wins, it is that simple. The two stale political parties have sold us up the river, sold the water to fer-ners and are walking away with our tax dollars while cheating us out of the services we expect and pay for.
Why worry about mediocre two bit municipal offices when the current Governor represents unearned MBA’s, fat unreported donations driving up our medical costs and Mojo is all about sacking anyone who thinks government should be accountable to the taxpayer instead of the special interests (remember Fred Armstrong).
The way to make a diference in WV Politics is to vote Mountain Party for Governor in 2008. If you vote for more of the same - then don’t complain when that is what you get.
July 18, 2008 at 6:22 pm
The Mountain Party is the only WV political party that:
1- Is on record in opposition to mountain top removal strip mining for coal;
2- Favors promotion of political justice through election law reform including full public financing of elections; free media air time and access to debates by all qualified candidates; accurate and verifiable voter roles, enhanced voter access, and same day registration; verifiable paper trail ballots; and instant runoff and other progressive voting systems;
3- Favors promotion of a progressive tax code including elimination of the sales tax on clothing and food; tax relief for small businesses and elimination of corporate welfare; and fair assessments of mineral and other natural resource holdings;
4- Prominently features Non-violence, Ecological Wisdom, Grassroots Democracy, and Social Justice and Equal Opportunity as major pillars of its party platform.
It these principles appeal to you, then you would do well to support the Mountain Party and stop worrying about who lives with mother instead of over some Capital Street dive.
And if these issues do not fit your political fancy, then just go ahead and vote for Joe Manchin or Russ Weeks. With either of them you will at least be politically comfortable in your governmentally enabled misery.
July 18, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Mountain Daddy, Jesse Johnson is by far the best candidate and that is why you (Republicrats) are getting a little uncomfortable with the fact that the Mountain Party is just what WV needs and as you all well know, has a great chance this time. And as for living with his mother? Jesse is his mothers only child and he takes very good care of her, if that means staying with her when she is not feeling well, does that make him a bad person? I think that is the kind of compassionate individual that we need in office. You people are making a political tabloid out of this site, worrying about where people spend their time. He has spent most of his time traveling this past year, working hard to let people know what is happening to our environment here in WV. Mountain Daddy hides behind his (or her) computer (instead of attending confrences and conventions and meeting with individuals that you could learn from) and criticizes others online and never in person because, well, that is what cowards do. Oh, and Mountain Daddy has no mother because he crawled from under a rock.
July 18, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Y’all make a compelling case for JJ.
July 18, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I thought Jesse started out as an EMT or volunteer fire fighter, and comes from a family which includes police force veterans. No wonder they fired Fred ARmstrong.
July 18, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Jesse is a joke and so is the Mountain Party. Nut jobs without a chance.
July 18, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Go V - 8. Vote in 2008, your state needs you.
Jesse Johnson as Governor isn’t so bad if you don’t like Open for Mo Joe. The Governor is largely symbolic anyway, the Legslature controls the purse and the Judicary imposes the legal outcomes on the executive branch. If as you say the Mountain Party ideals are so oddly unpopular then what a great protest vote at a time when our national elections have been stolen by exactly these two politcial parties.
A Johnson Governor would be relatively harmless and will actually promote West Virginia as a progressive democratic state. Take that Buck Shot Cheney.
Government will still function and under Manchins starve public workers plan, a Johnson Government will no doubt function better.
Our trusted public workers have just as hard a time dealing with the politically connected Manchin appointments as they did the Moore appointments and everyone in between. Life goes on.
How many of those men driving state vehicles identified by Phil Kabler (Sunday Gazette Mail) have no qualification other than raising corporate money for Joe? And how much pharmaceutical drug money went to that party tent, talk about hippies? How much public / private money does Joe spend on booze for his pals at the tent on state grounds? So why trust the two money parties, due to the obvious excessive greed and corruption of both parties infecting our government. If you prefer socialism for corporations and punatitive justice for citizens then keep voting Joe.
Want a better life than being stuck in a delerious state of ignorance and hatred, vote for Jesse in 2008.
July 18, 2008 at 11:57 pm
The way this Legislature has rolled over for Joe, I wouldn’t say the job of Governor is symbolic. It SHOULD be, but the legislators wouldn’t get anything done if someone wasn’t telling them what to do. Hmmm, that sounds like a pretty good idea.
I know Jesse. he’s a nice guy, and he’s an airhead. But I don’t want politics to be about power, I’d like for politics to be about doing good things for the taxpaying citizens. So instead of 4 more years of Joe M, the most controlling governor since Arch Moore, maybe four years of Jesse or whoever wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I mean, if nothing new got done, that might be an improvement. And I bet the BOG would do a better job of selecting a WVU Pres.
July 19, 2008 at 2:33 am
The characterization of the Mountain Party as “nut jobs” or “throwback hippies” is disingenuous, and more importantly, it’s a manipulative tactic directly from the mainstream political battleplan: attempting to associate the opposition with stereotypical imagery, prejudicing the public against them and thereby silencing them.
In fact, the Mountain Party is far from the picture some have painted. The core leadership of the Mountain Party is comprised of genuine, down-to-Earth people with a genuine concern for the way West Virginia (and indeed, the US) is being run and a deep interest in politics–apparently much like yourselves.
Mountain Daddy, how have we offended you? I’d love the opportunity to talk with you and find out if, in fact, our differences aren’t totally reconcilable. If, in the end, you’re still opposed to our political goals, perhaps our discussion could still soften the animosity.
Some of the criticism of the Mountain Party in this forum is indeed valid, but requires explanation. Indeed, the Party operates on very little funding relative to the two big parties, likely the largest struggle for ALL “third” parties. As momentum and awareness builds, so (hopefully) will the treasury. It would be nice, of course, if we operated in a system in which the strength of the party was based on the merit of its platform rather than the pocketbooks of its backers. Unfortunately, we must operate within the current system, use our current funds efficiently and wisely, attempt new diverse fundraising methods, and try over time to even the playing field for democratic representation.
Using gubernatorial results as a barometer, the Mountain Party is making progress despite competitive monetary resources. In the short lifespan of the party, gubernatorial votes have risen (from 10,416 in 2000 to 18,430 in 2004.) U.S. Senate, state delegate, and state Senate candidates have also garnered respectable totals.
The Mountain Party platform does not mandate the total elimination of the extractive industries. It does not, because as a few of you have pointed out, that is not an economically feasible goal for West Virginians. The platform does, however, seek an immediate end to the most utterly destructive forms of extraction, and urges, in all other cases, industrial responsibility and accountability NOW, and a manageable shift toward renewable resources in the future.
Indeed, as ex-button pointed out, “state blue-collar workers” and their political banner-carriers are reluctant to affiliate with the Mountain Party, but I believe this to be an ambassadorial shortcoming, not an irreconcilable difference. The Mountain Party’s core tenets include economic and social justice, and every MP member understands that promoting one pillar of the party at the total expense of others is still an overall failure to live up to our party’s platform. In this specific example, the rigorous pursuit of environmental justice fails to live up to the standards of the Mountain Party if it is accompanied by increased poverty and class oppression.
As others have mentioned, the Mountain Party is democratically driven. While I have obvious misgivings with the idea of an “infiltration,” new ideas and participation are always welcomed.
I do believe that it is time to send a message to Machin and his administration that they are indeed accountable for their actions, and if they fail to live up to the ethics and ideals of West Virginians, West Virginians have better options. If you think that Manchin has failed to live up to these standards, and find the Mountain Party platform and Jesse Johnson’s campaign platform in keeping with your ideals, I ask that you vote Jesse Johnson in November.
Please, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the Mountain Party, do not hesitate to contact me and I will provide you with information and answers to your questions to the best of my ability. I can be reached via email at (my first name) _at_ mtparty.org (trying to hide from spam collectors.) My phone number is also available on the MP website, if you prefer.
Best wishes to all of you, and thanks for your time.
July 19, 2008 at 9:41 am
I will vote for Johnson but only as a protest vote. i do not believe i could bring myself to vote for him if I believed he had any chance of winning. It has nothing to do with his politics or his personality, I just don’t think he has even a tiny fraction of the knowledge, experience, educaction, judgment or intelligence to hold any important decision-making position. There are many people whom I both agree with on a lot of things and like that are simply totally unsuited for important jobs.
Now, I will not seriously argue against the refutation that politics is already full of people who are totally unqualified for positions they do hold. I will merely point out what should be obvious: if you want to challenge the pwer structure from the outside it is incumbent upon you to put forth people who are better than those you oppose. “He’s no worse than…” makes a lousy campaign mantra and won’t work. Poor candidates abound but they win because they have the forces of power, money and inertia behind them making it possible to keep the focus away from their shortcomings.
July 19, 2008 at 9:46 am
I like your blog and added it to bookmarks. Good luck to you & Love.
July 19, 2008 at 9:58 am
Eric,
Just wanted to say that it is an honor to have an intelligent, caring, individual representing our Mountain Party. We could all learn to ‘disarm’ hurtful ignorant idividuals like Mountain Daddy, and open their eyes to their festering ignorance so that they can stop infecting others. Ah yes, a computer isn’t it a wonderful tool? But in the hands of the wrong person…….
Jesse for Governor in ‘08′
July 19, 2008 at 10:00 am
Mountain Daddy is mean and hurtful.
July 19, 2008 at 10:42 am
Don’t flatter Mountain Daddy. It will boost his/her ego.
July 19, 2008 at 11:19 am
Let me get this straight. This 2008 Governors race in West Virginia is important because it represents the battle of Good (the environment, sensibility with wild and wonderful mountains and people with no money for example) vs. Evil (such as the corruption of our government by special interest money, including coal, insurance racketeers and drug companies).
Basic history shows it is Republicans who have bankrupted our state, such as workers comp (Underwood & Moore for example) and Democrats who bail them out (through control of the legislature and Courts). This continued looting of the state now includes privatizing the workers compensation profit while socializing the risk (Manchin & Brickstreet). Special interest corruption looks far worse than airhead logic, it is in fact a bankrupt financial strategy reminiscent of Uncle Jimmy. Can anybody honestly say the Mountain Party would be worse? If Mr. Johnson is an “airhead” then he will need advisors (just like Manchin). As the Mountain Party is comprised of people without political ties to moneyed interests, they will logically have more of the states interest in mind and know what it is like to work on a shoe string budget. To be fair, Candidates Senator Weeks and Jesse Johnson were both at the Mildred Mitchell Bateman State Hospital Workers rally (Huntington, Friday, July 18), but Senator Weeks voted to give Manchin this unbridled Governors power which Manchin has used to decimate the state work force. Manchin is notably absent any time talking care of workers is concerned.
Indeed it is no wonder why the Manchin hit machine targeted Historian and Archives Director Fred Armstrong. This Manchin problem is nowhere near limited to the WVU BOG. Yes indeed, Vote for Jesse for Governor from the WV Mountain Party is a great protest vote this November 2008. It is the only vote that makes any sense.
July 19, 2008 at 11:21 am
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage_feat2/x1103453722/Protesters-put-spotlight-on-hospital-conditions
July 19, 2008 at 11:11 pm
If the Democratic legislature knew about the crap going on and still rolled over for Joe, then the logical Governor vote is for Johnson. No other message will get the attention of these corrupt political flunkies. Yes, they knew and they rolled over any way. How many times do we have to have this explained to us?
Until we grow a spine and vote to privatize Joe the story will never change. When term limits are not enough, there is always a historic democratic method of cleaning house. Vote Mountain Party for Governor this November. Democracy matters.
July 20, 2008 at 10:57 am
Here’s an absolutely genius move by the Mountain Party, from today’s Gazette: “The state Mountain Party has become a branch of the national Green Party, which chose former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as its presidential nominee earlier this month. She will be on the ballot under the Mountain Party.”
Brilliant idea, fellas! Take whatever credibility they may have had and throw it out the window.
July 20, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Bankrupt credibility is what the Democratic Party has morphed into. No Wonder Manchins daughter thought she honestly deserved an unearned MBA, Manchin is the most corrupt Republican Governor we have had in a while. First of all Manchin pretending to be a Democrat and no democrat with enough spine to say “Hey just a second”.
Republicans love Manchin, well, because he is a Republican. You can bet Weeks will not get any Republican Money.
Manchin is all about free rides for his campain fund raisers, gifting them with $70,000 dollar a year jobs and free state vehicles. Gifting incompetent muckety muck’s with state sponsored monopoly and an insurance racket that should have set of fire alarm bells in every hall way and office of the state house.
No wonder Manchin’s daughter thought she deserved a free ride too, that is the philosophy of open for business, screw the tax payer, take all the privilege and public money that can be carried away as fast as possible. Before anybody wakes up from the drug induced coma courteousy of Mylan Pharma through our polluted water supply.
July 20, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Anon- would you care to elaborate on how an affiliation agreement with the GPUS–whose platform and goals have always closely resembled those of the Mountain Party–represents “throw[ing] all credibility out the window?” Affiliation, of course, was a carefully considered and extensively deliberated move that in the end, the Mountain Party concluded was a natural fit and in the best interests of the state.
Affiliation (I have semantic objections to “branch”) sacrificed very little WV autonomy and provided the Mountain Party with a nationwide stage that has proven highly effective not only in coalitioning but also in spreading nationwide awareness of the problems in West Virginia.
In that sense, affiliation also provided the Mountain Party with an excellent opportunity to shape the direction of the Green Party and ultimately, the national political debate. Jesse Johnson’s presidential campaign (as an MP candidate but with the national platform provided by the GPUS) was very successful in bringing West Virginia to the center of Green Party dialog. You can be confident that, after having campaigned with Jesse Johnson non-stop for the last several months, Cynthia McKinney now has a detailed understanding of the problems that face West Virginia. All of these positives came as a direct result of affiliation with the GPUS.
July 20, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Eric:
If you need to have it explained why affilliating with a group that chooses to nominate a person who is flamboyantly insane is not a perticularly shrewd move, the explanation is probably a wasted effort. Are there not people with “a detailed understanding” of the problems who can at least create the perception of being properly medicated?
July 20, 2008 at 3:29 pm
particularly
July 20, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I’m getting a little sick of people talking about how awesome and pure the Mountain Party’s platform is. Because if you’re never ever going to be able to accomplish ANY of the shit you talk about, IT DOESN’T MATTER. You can’t manage to get a single candidate elected to anything.
I’m going to start the Hippie Killer party. And along with ending all mineral and resource extraction, our OBVIOUSLY SUPERIOR platform will include a $70,000 check, and a JETPACK for every West Virginia Family.
So where’s you’re moral high ground now, Mountain Party? Why are you against giving JETPACKS to West Virginians?
The Hippie Killer party is the only party that truly cares about West Virginia, and of course, the only sensible way to vote.
July 20, 2008 at 5:50 pm
HK, the Mountain Daddy platform includes reusable batteries for our jetpacks…you see, HK, your selfish party is leaving a carbon footprint in the sky….not mine.
I even have a jet pack for Jesse Johnson to fly the fuck out of W.Va. No battery for him, though. We don’t want him to return.
July 20, 2008 at 5:57 pm
The Mountain Party supports Cythinia McKinney as its candidate.
Interesting.
Remember when she slapped a career police office at the Capitol because he asked to see her I.D.? Something he does to every single person in the building.
Ms. McKinney was then dropped, not only by the Democrat party…not only by the Black Caucus…..no..by the good people in her district of the great state of Georgia.
Way to go Mountain Party.
Hey, HK, make that two JetPacks please.
July 20, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Well here is the story right here! The Green Party/Mountain Party’s candidate (Cynthia McKinney) is running to raise funds to retire her campaign debt from her failed Congressional campaign. Ah, now we know she is not as stupid as her supporters.
See Below…this is from her Web site:
“Welcome!
Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 20:28.
Welcome to the New Home for All Things Cynthia McKinney Online!
Use the tabs above to access her Congressional Office website, restored here from the archives made available at the end of her term, as well as her Congressional Campaign site, where she needs our help with a contribution or a purchase from her campaign store to retire the rest of her campaign debt. As the polls closed on the 2007 local elections, Cynthia has now made available her Presidential Campaign website. You may also send an email to Ms. McKinney using her TalkBack2008 form.”
July 20, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Guys, I am sorry to beat a dead horse, but this is something I have to share. Look at this video. Cynthia McKinney dancing like a clown at the Green Party/Mountain Party convention…and, she chose as her Vice Presidential runningmate a Hip Hop activist who declares she is ready to debate Dick Cheney…
Last I checked, Cheney isn’t on the ballot again.
These people are so fucking stupid. If you Mountain Party people aren’t hiding under your marijuana bush, you should be. This is so fucking embarassing.
See below:
http://www.runcynthiarun.org/
July 20, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Thanks, Mountain Daddy. I think I’ll pass. I’d rather do my own dancing before engaging the jetpack.
July 20, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Marajuana bush eh Daddy, not a bad idea, except that would make every citizen in WV wealthy and your big pharma corporate drug addict lap dog party (Democrats) couldn’t control the population the way that you do now. So Mountain daddy which one of the Governors state vehicles do you drive?
July 20, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Mountain Mama, it could be worse. Mountain Daddy could be a Republican.
July 20, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Looks like the Mountain Party has the incumbent party running scared. Democrats should be embarassed to be represented by such inbred ignorant lap dog morons. The Mountain Party is relatively, young so 2008 may very well be their fist win. Every journey starts with the first steps.
What scares the hell out of the corporate powers that be is they only planned to steal the presidential election in 2008, if they have to steal another elections such as WV governors race, on top of stealing another national election, the people might actually catch on. (Maybe people are already catching on eh Manchin Lap dog named Mountain Daddy?)
Greed is evil and the people who lust for the spoils of greed are agents of evil. And like Mountain Daddy, the Governor gives each of them state cars and expense accounts to cruise the state to make sure everyone tows the party line and collects corporate cash. You don’t see the Governor or his agents cruising the state actually working for the people. No wonder you hate the Mountain Party. Hate is easy, violence is even easier. What is difficult is standing up for something and actually registering to run for office. I welcome HK running in 2012. Et tu Mountain Daddy, or will you continue to hide behind your violent rhetoric like a common coward?
Mountain Daddy hates our freedom, because we are free to elect someone much better than their spread um for corrupt business Governor Mojo. Don’t believe everything you read, written by people motivated by hatred for the working people who are working to make life better. Think for your self, because if Mountain Daddy is allowed to think for us, all of our children will be in concentration camps run by Haliburton.
HK if you want to bash people for holding out that our democracy may still function then why are you even considering a run for Governor. What you don’t like is the Mountain Party took the hard road, walked the walk. Now they are registered and on the ballot the two corrupt parties are in a position where they are supposed to play fair and they can’t, they are too corrupt. They forgot how ethicical behavior is supposed to work. They ran WV into last place economically for a century and now the chickens are home to roost.
Jesse for Governor in 2008 represents an ambitious agenda for change. Yes, thank god somebody gives a darn about we the people. And exactly how is a Mountain Party Governor worse than Manchin firing skilled dedicated public servants, giving MBA’s and jobs to unqualified family members and political hacks while pretending that anyone who questions this corruption is unpatriotic?
A straight ticket democratic vote is an inbred reaction to brain dead leadership.
July 20, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I wish I had a state car…I’d back it over that marijuana bush you loons have been smoking from.
I bet Jesse Johnson would suck the gas out my car and put it his campaign vehicle….
What’s that vehicle called? Oh, yeah,:
It’s an SUV: Stupid Unprepared Voters
July 20, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Voters are unprepared to vote by a corporate media slime machine. Once the voters in West Virginia wake up to the facts, there is no doubt educated voters will vote the MBA King out of office, then Moon-tan Daddy will have to find a real job and his own car, pimping for Manchin will only pay so long as big pharma is in office. No wonder there is a media blackout of the Mountain Party. God forbid voters actually understand they have a choice called democtratic elections.
In November 2008 there will be a Democratic election in West Virginia and Moon-tan Daddy can’t stand it.
July 20, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Before reading the recent posts, I was considering voting for the Mountain Party. With that wacky weed you all seem to be smoking, you’re make Mountain Daddy look perfectly sane.
“Maybe people are already catching on (to the)? Manchin Lap dog named Mountain Daddy?” Read Mountain Daddy’s posts. He’s not for Manchin. He just doesn’t see you guys as viable because you don’t have a real plan if you did win.
“Moon-tan Daddy.” You all can’t even sling a good insult Mountain Daddy’s way.
“Think for your self, because if Mountain Daddy is allowed to think for us, all of our children will be in concentration camps run by Haliburton.” Huh?
July 20, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I wish the hell I could get a job at Hailburton. Let me tell you people something: I love money. I wish I had some. I wouldn’t be embarassed by it one bit.
If I had Haliburton’s money, I’d buy something more worthwhile than the likes of Joe Manchin…I’d get me a real governor. Someone who was focused on the big picture and not fucking around with some third tier university hospital.
No…I’d buy all the land in W.Va…kick you loons out..and turn it into an exclusive country club…W.Va would become one big playground for the well-healed.
You people would not be welcome…nor would any of the Manchins……
Except for Brooke. She could stay.
I’d make her mayor of McDowell County. It would be a side-show, of sorts. A curious little remote area in the woods were other women could go to feel better about themselves. Of course Lara Ramsburg could stay…..
And we’d need a commissioner of deviant culture….Hmmmm…Know anybody?
July 22, 2008 at 12:18 am
Some responses to Squid, Mountain Daddy, and HK:
Affiliation in the case of the WVMP/GPUS was an agreement between two political parties with nearly identical ideals and goals, not between a West Virginia political party and an individual. In short, the MP affiliated with the GPUS, not with Cynthia McKinney. Affiliation was finalized well before this primary season.
I do understand, Squid, that your point still stands: in your opinion, affiliation with a group who collectively and democratically supports Cynthia McKinney’s candidacy for President was a move that, due to the public perception of McKinney, compromised MP credibility. I was careful previously not to argue that affiliation was risk-free–it naturally was not. Participation in the nationwide Green Party Primary was one of those risks…the West Virginia popular vote overwhelmingly went for Jesse Johnson. The rest of the nation, evidently (I have not personally studied the results) went for McKinney, and West Virginia’s delegates became a minority in the GPUS convention. So, again, my point was never that affiliation carried no risks–it was simply that the benefits to the Mountain Party and–in our view–the people of West Virginia, outweighed those risks.
None if this is to say that I’m somehow embarrassed of my party’s affiliation with the GPUS or our support of Cynthia McKinney–I am not. Cynthia, although I do not know her personally, appears to me to be a principled and competent defender of our values. I do recognize some eccentricities, but ask everyone before casting judgment on those eccentricities to be aware of their exaggeration by mainstream politicians and pundits who, like Mountain Daddy, would have you believe that ALL third party members are out-of-touch radicals, drug addicts, and spitting, frothing loonies. The ad hominem stereotyping and the emphasizing/overstating of eccentricities are two prongs to the same political strategy designed to avoid the issues and disingenuously smear the opposition. Barack Obama, I think, seems to be exhibiting something of a knack for overcoming these kind of attacks. Only time will tell whether Cynthia can have similar success in reviving a public image that her opposition has invested itself heavily in tarnishing.
I’m not attempting to bombard anyone with counter-propaganda for Cynthia McKinney–I’m simply urging everyone to look a little deeper make sure your perception is based on more than selective media coverage and oft-repeated invective buzzwords. Always, of course, vote your conscience.
Hippie Killer, we are trying. For sure, it is an uphill battle gaining full access to a historically closed political system, but the alternative is to throw up our hands, and submit to a political party who, as Manchin has demonstrated, fails in critical ways to live up to our ideals. Democracy deserves better.
It will be a long, gradual process with many obstacles along the way, but to say we have no chance ever of putting a candidate in office is unnecessarily defeatist. We will continue to strive toward that goal because the alternative is unacceptable.
Biltmore, I humbly request that you not base as important a decision as democratic voice on isolated interactions in an online forum. In the end, all that matters is which of the available candidates you believe will be the most responsible steward of your vote.
Best to all of you.
July 22, 2008 at 12:40 am
Is Lara Ramsburg hot? I’ve never laid eyes on her.
July 22, 2008 at 8:59 am
I doubt seriously that you would think Lara is hot. But she is smart, tough and very loyal to WV. She does a great job and is a good person, in my opinion, in the worst setting ever. I feel the same way about the First Lady, who made her deal with Mojo a long, long time ago.
July 22, 2008 at 9:01 am
Mountain Daddy, how do you like gambling and jewelry and nursing homes and “nutritional supplements” as business ventures?
July 23, 2008 at 2:10 am
Applauding Mojo because he has “real power” is like applauding someone who raped your sister because he got laid and you didn’t. It’s just sick..
Gandi had power and he didn’t have money. The Dali Lama has power and he doesn’t have a plateform. What these people have in common with Jesse Johnson is vision, a dream, and determination to do what is right for their people. And that is some thing that Manchin may never have. In addition to vision and integrity, Jesse has the courage to stand up and say. “Something is desperately wrong with the way things are going in our country, and it’s about time we did something to make it right.
Real power isn’t what you take, it’s what you can give. And Jesse Johnson has given his time and his energy to move this country back to the place it needs to be. A place where Americans can be proud of what their government does. A place where Americans can know that their government cares more for the people this great land, than for the powerful corporations that buy politians by the handful. Jesse Johnson is a fighter for Democracy and the American People. Jesse is a fighter against the filth that rape our land of all it’s natural resources, then leaves the stain for future generation to clean up.
I am heartened and encouraged there are still people like Jesse in America. Will I vote for Jesse for Governor in 08? Yes, I will. I will vote for him in each election until justice is served and Democracy is restored.
Dr. Bruce Breuninger
July 25, 2008 at 11:51 am
I think Jesse has more integrity and good ideas than what we have out there now. He has done very good work in his debates with other candidates and is concerned about the environment, he might even staff the DEP with folks who want to protect the environment, imagine that. I will vote for Jesse because he is the BEST choice we have to change our state for the better for future generations. The mountain party should be commended for attracting good candidates all across the state and I agree with other posters who say if you want to change the outlook of the MT then by all means join, send money, get involved.
July 25, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Wait a minute, Jesse an airhead? Jesse has gone up against intellects like Nader, Dr. Mesplay and McKinney to name a few. Also, in 04 if you recall, in the PBS debate, Jesse was interupted by the moderator in an attempt to correct the double speak that says WV has a balanced budget. Jesse pointed out correctly so that is in only ‘legislative lingo’ (in other words it only appear to be balanced for the sake of the books). In other words, Manchin did not correct Jesse, but sat…………..silent, as did the moderator when faced with truth. It is my understanding that Jesse is MENSA eligible. He is also known to read 3 newspapers per day and has spent years researching physics, history, alternative medicine, and much more. If you have listened to any of his speeches you will get an understanding of this mans integrity and wisdom. Be assured, he does his homework. Jesse for WV Gov. in ‘08′ !
P.S. Thanks ‘Not a Straight Ticket’, Jesse needs support like yours!
July 25, 2008 at 1:15 pm
“Jesse has gone up against intellects like…McKinney…”
Wow. Just wow.
July 28, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Live from West Virginia, We have another flash fire in the battle of the ages. The epic battle between the power of money and greed vs. the people with ideals and conviction, has never seen anything like the 2008 Governor’s race in West Virginia.
IN the right corner, Introducing the Incumbent Governor, Joe MBA Manchin, the man who sold out the 1996 state Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Charlott Pritt, sold this woman up the river to a Republican man. Yes, the man who as Secretary of State put his name on every pencil in every classroom just in time for the 2004 Governor’s race. In fact, the state is so open for Business under Governor Manchin the Department of Environmental Protection hasn’t functioned since he set foot in office, except to let Joe make a December 2007 commercial with DEP just in time for the primary election, where Joe pretends to support recycling, yet Governor Manchin has never endorsed the container recycling law.
In the middle of the road, Introducing the Republican challenger Russ Weeks, former Senator to the state legislature. This is the same Senator who initially voted to allow Manchin to amass this executive power without accountability. The Republicans however will not support Mr. Weeks because they like the Republican who Governor Manchin has always been. However, Mr. Weeks cares about accountability enough, he has time to uncover much more about the Manchin spin machine and the corruption that has erupted under the Governor’s party tent.
In the left corner, Introducing the Mountain Party Candidate, Jesse Johnson, Environmental Activist turned politician, because the only way to change the corrupt power structure is to participate in the process and demand change. Hot off the national campaign for the Green Party nomination for their presidential candidate, Mr. Johnson has helped push Mountain Top Removal mining to the tip of the argument in the fight against global warming.
West Virginia is about to prove to America that democracy is not dead. Democracy like West Virginia is almost heaven. Not only do people have a choice, the choice we make November 4, 2008 to elect the Mountain Party to the Governor’s office of King Coal’s state will make progressive history throughout the world.