From: bongo@ix.netcom.com (Russell Bentley)
Newsgroups: alt.hemp,alt.drugs,alt.politics.greens
Subject: why do we need a Grassroots Party? well...
Date: 29 Apr 1995 23:35:59 GMT
Message-ID: <3nuigv$70u@ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>

 The Grassroots Party was formed to promote the interests
of Peace, Freedom and Justice. After much deliberation,it
was decided to make the hemp legalization issue our main
campaign platform. We felt that we could accomplish the
most good in the most areas by helping to change the law
against hemp. We felt there would be benefits to the
environment, civil rights, medicine and the economy, by
changing this one law.
When the GRP was founded in 1986, the Hemp Movement was
in it's infancy, so we forged on alone, only slightly
ahead of our time.
Now, ten years later, the Hemp Movement has grown into
a multitude of organizations, across the nation, and
around the world.
The Grassroots Party has grown as well, into a potent
political organization with dedicated volunteers in
several different states, ready to bring the struggle
for hemp legalization into the ballot box, and right
into the faces of prohibitionist politicians and
an apathetic public.
The Grassroots Party is about going head-on against
narco-fascists, not just as John Q. Public, but as a
candidate on equal ground, not to ask for mercy,
but to demand justice.
Our record speaks for itself.
The time has come for a nation-wide effort by the Hemp
Movement. To be effective, it must be POLITICAL, and
it must be ORGANIZED.
The GRP is a political organization.

To support ineffective organizations is worse than
doing nothing, it's wasted effort that could have done
some good. As the saying goes, "If you plant ice, you're
gonna harvest wind."
The Hemp Movement is made up of many great people, who
contribute to the cause in many diverse ways. The
GRP salutes and supports all whose efforts support real
hemp law reform. Total reform. 
The GRP does not support those whose goal is only
industrial hemp, or only medical hemp or decrim of
personal amounts.
These are half-measures that will not address the whole
situation.
The GRP supports all these measures, combined, and then
some. Our goal is to make hemp as legal as corn.
We will not stop until it's accomplished.

 The Grassroots Party has this to offer the Hemp Movement:

 1) A unifying front with genuine political influence, and 
  a presence in the ballot box, where laws and policies
  are made and changed.

 2) A program that encompasses all aspects of the hemp
  issue, industrial and medical, as well as civil rights.

 3) Veteran political strategists and dedicated volunteers
  who have traveled to other states, and even other 
  countries, to promote hemp legalization. Volunteers and
  resources of the GRP are available to anyone who needs
  assistance in getting a chapter started.
 
 The Grassroots Party needs volunteers.

 Hemp legalization is up to those whose political
sophistication goes beyond a slogan on a t-shirt.
Those who are not in it to make a buck for themselves.
Those who are not in it for an ego-trip.
Those who are willing to to make a commitment.
Those who are willing to do more than talk.
 "Armchair activists" need not apply.

The time has come for the Hemp Movement to
get off it's knees.
The time has come for the Hemp Movement to become a
political movement.
The time has come to demand justice.
The GRP is not about asking for change,
it's about making change happen.
 The time to get started is NOW.

Contact:
            The Grassroots Party
            P.O.Box 6197
            MPLS,MN. 55406-0197
                    USA

phone: (612) 822-3396 voice       e-mail: stevea@geom.umn.edu
       (612) 729-2048 fax            or   bongo@ix.netcom.com
       (612) 722-4GRP Grassnet  
       ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR FREEDOM, PEACE AND JUSTICE
            ASK WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR ITSELF.
                LEGALIZE HEMP - VOTE GRASSROOTS