From: Green Party Watch
July 2nd, 2009 by Gregg Jocoy

WASHINGTON, DC -- 2008 Green presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney is participating in a second campaign to deliver goods to Gaza in defiance of an Israeli blockade.

According to recent news reports, port authority officials in Cyprus have detained a multi-national Free Gaza Movement boat in Lanarca under pressure from Israel. The boat is carrying 33 human rights activists, including Ms. McKinney, and shipments of medical supplies and cement.

See Ms. McKinney's June 25 blog post for an update.

Ms. McKinney notes that President Obama himself has called for medical supplies and cement to be sent to Gaza. Despite the Obama statement and a request from Ms. McKinney to the White House for an assurance of safety, the US State Department has warned the boat against sailing to Gaza.

Cynthia McKinney, a former six-term Democratic member of the US House from Georgia, was aboard a Free Gaza Movement boat delivering medical supplies to Gaza that was rammed by Israeli naval forces in January, 2009. Ms. McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente were nominated for President and Vice President at the Green Party's 2008 national convention in Chicago, Illinois.

For news on the unfolding situation, see: Communications and updates from Cynthia McKinney

Greens Demand Israel Release McKinne, Other Captives from Gaza relief trips.

Green Party: President Obama and the US State Dept. must demand release of Cynthia McKinney and 20 other human rights activists on Free Gaza relief boat seized by Israeli gunboats.

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Past federal studies on Single-Payer show it will provide universal care while cutting costs, say Greens, who seek a nationally aired debate on the merits of Single-Payer

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and health care activists called for new federal studies on the economic feasability and impact of a Single-Payer (Medicare For All, HR 676) national health care program. The study should cover overall and ongoing costs and savings, not just government spending.

Greens cited past studies from the General Accounting Office (GAO) and the Congressional Budget Office in the 1990s showing that Single-Payer would reduce the cost of health care while covering every American. The Green Party will make health care reform and the demand for Single-Payer a major focus of the party's 2009 Annual National Meeting in Durham, North Carolina, July 23-26.

According to a 1991 GAO report, "If the US were to shift to a system of universal coverage and a single payer, as in Canada, the savings in administrative costs [10 percent of health spending] would be more than enough to offset the expense of universal coverage." ("Canadian Health Insurance: Lessons for the United States,"). More reports are archived at pnhp.org.

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The use of civil unions instead of same-sex marriage does not adequately address the reality of love or the unique nature of each human. In the aftermath of the passing of Proposition 8 in California, there has been much debate about whether or not gay marriage is an issue that most of America is willing [...]

[From: A Green State of Mind]