Following Abel Collins’ televised debate last Friday, where he clearly bested both Rep. James Langevin and GOP challenger Michael Riley, it’s more apparent than ever that Collins is the best candidate for progressives—perhaps the only candidate—in the 2nd Congressional District. He’s a genuine peace and environmental advocate who’s determined to get big money out of congressional politics. His election to Congress would be good news for those who love peace, and those who long for democracy in America.
In a first for Greens, these qualities won Collins—an independent—the Green Party’s endorsement at its state committee meeting in August. A statement at the time called Collins Rhode Island’s best choice for Congress, saying he’d be a “strong, clear voice, for the people and the planet.”
“Of course it’s possible to challenge the two-party system,” Collins declared. “What’s not possible is to sustain the unsustainable, to make more fossil fuels, or create a peaceful society when people are motivated by fear, and not by love.” After his endorsement, Collins told the Greens he is “proud to be the peace candidate in the race, and proud to have the endorsement of the Green Party.”
After Collins’ strong performance in this week’s debate, a lot more Rhode Islanders will give his campaign a second look. If enough voters were tuned in, Abel’s progressive campaign is going to do very well on Tuesday.
Tony Affigne is state committee chair for the Green Party of Rhode Island. Visit the Greens at www.RIGreens.org
I proudly voted for Abel Collins this morning, and I urge all progressives, liberals, and people who want a better america to do the same. Langevin did not vote for the Progressive Caucus’ Peoples Budget. He waffled on health care reform and fed the fire of anti-choice Stupak insanity. Langevin voted to increase money for the stupid war on drugs, which is increasing death and misery in Mexico. He voted yes on increasing border patrols. Other than his vote against going to war in Iraq (and that was a no brainer he shoudln’t really get any credit for), I can’t think of anything he has done that has made a difference. (And, just to be fair, I’ve heard many people say that he has helped them with difficuties, and so is good at constuent service, which is improtant and for which Rep. Langevin deserves a hearty thank you.) Is Langevin a reliable vote on moderately liberal/progeressive issues liek taxes and union rights? Yes. But that is not enough. When the public option was the furthest left the Democrats would go in health care reform, when returning to the rich elite love-in tax rates of the 90′s is the best they can do for economic justice, and when ending the war in Iraq means 15,000 personell and at least 5,000 private armed mercenaries being paid for by tax dollars, it means the time for Democrats to be considered true agents of change is done.