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Green-Rainbow Party ideas win overwhelming support on election day
Created by eli_beckerman. Last modified on 2008-11-15 12:07:41 Not only did the Green-Rainbow Party’s positions on all 3 statewide ballot questions win the day, but the 2 public policy questions that were initiated by the GRP’s Advisory Ballot Working Group won landslide victories across the state.The Green-Rainbow Party, in collaboration with some non-partisan allies, drafted non-binding ballot questions calling for single-payer healthcare and for decisive action on global warming. The grassroots efforts that followed – with a bare minimum of money and campaign infrastructure – took the questions to voters far and wide. The result was a resounding endorsement of powerful yet simple solutions to a crumbling healthcare system, an unraveling economy, and a rapidly deteriorating ecosphere. Voters backed the single-payer healthcare question, which included opposition to the current policy of punitive mandates, with 73% support in a total of 10 state representative districts. And they voted 81% to 19%, in 11 state representative districts, for 80% greenhouse gas reductions in just 12 years and a rapid transition to secure, green economies. This demonstrated support for Green-Rainbow ideas underscores that the Green-Rainbow Party has a critical role to play in Massachusetts politics, and is offering up real solutions to the major issues facing the people of the commonwealth. The one-party political system and its financiers may continue to inhibit political alternatives, but the people of the state have weighed in with enthusiastic support for policy options drawn from the Green-Rainbow playbook.. "While the Democrat-dominated Legislature and the Patrick Administration were pushing goals for serious action on climate change out to 2050 - which is 42 years from now - the voters endorsed a more aggressive 2020 target by more than a 4:1 ratio," said GRP co-chair Merelice. "Beacon Hill doesn't seem to understand the sense of urgency that most of us are feeling." “It’s clear that money in politics is drowning out the voice of the people,” added GRP co-chair Nat Fortune. "Ballot questions supported by 70 - 80% of the public are routinely dismissed by the legislature as having no support, and the overwhelming size of most incumbents’ lobbyist-funded campaign war chests insulate them from serious challenge. The same legislature that has exempted itself from Public Records and Open Meeting laws, and brazenly scuttled the Clean Elections law, is now awash in scandals over insider deals and allegations of bribery. It is past time that we, the people of Massachusetts, had a government that is accountable and responsive, but change is going to have to come from the bottom up." ##### November 4th district results on Single Payer Ballot Question, reported by Boson Globe: Precincts No Yes Yes % Total First Hampshire District 18 of 18 4,085 16,395 80.05% 20,480 Third Hampshire District 11 of 11 2,571 11,437 81.65% 14,008 Second Franklin District 17 of 17 4,162 12,471 74.98% 16,633 Fifth Middlesex District 12 of 12 6,263 11,896 65.51% 18,159 Twelfth Middlesex District 14 of 14 4,384 11,556 72.50% 15,940 First Barnstable 12 of 12 6,252 13,341 68.09% 19,593 Fourth Barnstable 12 of 12 6,897 17,262 71.45% 24,159 Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket 12 of 12 5,702 15,816 73.50% 21,518 Tenth Suffolk 18 of 18 5,221 10,757 67.32% 15,978 Fourth Plymouth 12 of 12 5,312 15,381 74.33% 20,693 Total 50,849 136,312 72.83% 187,161 ===== November 4th district results on Secure Green Future ballot question: State Representative District No Yes FRACTION YES (OF VOTES CAST) RATIO: YES/NO 8th Bristol District 3,559 9,216 0.721 2.59 1st Hampshire District 3,362 17,152 0.836 5.10 3rd Hampshire District 1,911 12,198 0.865 6.38 3rd Middlesex District 4,248 14,837 0.777 3.49 9th Middlesex District 3184 13,517 0.809 4.25 15th Middlesex District 3,344 14,683 0.815 4.39 23rd Middlesex District 3,454 17,498 0.835 5.07 24th Middlesex District 3,033 15,574 0.837 5.13 32nd Middlesex District 4,106 15,426 0.790 3.76 15th Norfolk District 1,760 14,234 0.890 8.09 3rd Worcester District 2,959 8,737 0.747 2.95 34,920 153,072 0.814 4.38 |
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