There are two main parties that most people identify with: the Democratic and Republican Parties. There is another party, however, that many people don’t know about. What is the Green party and what do they stand for? “The Green Party of the United States is a grassroots national party. We’re the party for “We The People,” the health of our planet, and future generations instead of the One Percent. We welcome all those who refuse to accept a choice limited to the Two Parties of War and Wall Street,” according to the Green Party website.

The Green Party follows four different pillars that help create their unique political views. These four pillars are a democracy, social justice, ecology and peace. According to the Green Party Website, they want more public financing in elections, open debates and more representation in voting systems. 

The Green Party only has access to the ballot in 21 of the 50 states. Meaning that, during elections, if you want to vote for the Green Party, you have to write in the candidate. Pennsylvania does not have the Green Party candidate on their ballot. 

The Green Party also believes in social justice. According to the Green Party website, “Falling wages and rising bills are hitting most of us, and the most vulnerable are hit the hardest. We demand a living wage and a real safety net.”.

 With this, they are trying to help the less fortunate and make sure everyone can make enough money to support themselves and their families.

The Green Party wants to help improve the lower class by setting a universal income. “We call for a universal basic income (sometimes called a guaranteed income, negative income tax, citizen’s income, or citizen dividend). This would go to every adult regardless of health, employment, or marital status, in order to minimize government bureaucracy and intrusiveness into people’s lives. The amount should be sufficient so that anyone unemployed can afford basic food and shelter. State or local governments should supplement that amount from local revenues where the cost of living is high.”

The next pillar that the Green Party follows is ecology. The Green Party is working to fix climate change and it is their belief. Americans need to stop using fossil fuels like coal or gas and switch to using renewable energy. The Green Party’s primary focus is to help the world from climate change and they have a plan on how to do so. 

According to the Green Party website, the Green Party wants to “Enact an emergency Green New Deal to turn the tide on climate change, revive the economy and make wars for oil obsolete. Initiate a WWII-scale national mobilization to halt climate change, the greatest threat to humanity in our history. Create 20 million jobs by transitioning to 100 percent clean, renewable energy by 2030, and investing in public transit, sustainable agriculture, conservation and restoration of critical infrastructure, including ecosystems.”

The last pillar of the Green Party is peace. According to the Green Party’s Website, they want peace and no more war. “Our country’s long wars and worldwide military presence are immoral and unsustainable. Our military budget must be cut dramatically.

The Green Party is striving to make sure Americans end all discrimination and prejudices.

“One of our key values is respect for diversity. We are committed to establishing relationships that honor diversity; that support the self-definition and self-determination of all people; that consciously confront the barriers of racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, class oppression, ageism, and ableism, and the many ways that our culture and laws separate us from working together. We support affirmative action to remedy discrimination, to protect constitutional rights, and to provide equal opportunity under the law,” said the Green Party Website. 

The Green Party does not have a presidential candidate yet as they are waiting until July of 2020 to announce who they want to represent them.