Statewide

A string of Green Party victories and strong electoral showings across Germany, from the conservative south to the port cities of the north, are helping to redefine politics among voters who are increasingly losing faith in the more established parties.

State Senator Leeland Yee didn't show up, but Green Party candidate Terry Baum was more than happy to take his place. She was a last-minute addition who did more than her fair share to liven up the proceedings.

Mayor Lee was not the only new participant in tonight's forum. Terry Joan Baum, a Green Party candidate and Castro resident, crashed the stage with her own chair before the debate started and was allowed to stay there.

Beginning with the show-down in Wisconsin, various states have begun to follow the lead of Governor Scott Walker to deprive unions of their power to collective bargaining. This assault on unions has led to some surprising responses, including massive protests and confrontation between public sector workers and the states. In one sense it had the effect of causing working people to question their position in society and has made it clear that workers are a "class" of people, regardless of whether they work in private industry or in the public sector in government jobs, including teachers.

The Green Party of California endorsed the statewide and national demonstrations March 19 and next month opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well calling for the inhumane treatment of Pfc. Bradley Manning, who is being held incommunicado in connection with the WikiLeaks release of documents to the public.