However that does not change the validity of the issues that Carolina addressed in her campaign and in retrospect I feel that the campaign had positive effect on our community.

The most pertinent thing that came of the campaign was the direct challenge of speaker Finnerans policies and the elitist (sometimes progressive) politicians that took money from Finneran and then voted with him to maintain their position as a career politician. As our wars wage, the grip of the police state tightens and the "anti-gay" marriage amendment was introduced we needed progressive politicians to stand up for the people and not simply make deals to further their own careers and fatten their bank accounts.

I firmly believe that Carolinas’ campaigns and her direct opposition to Finneran had a part in his resignation. Our "progressive politicians" no longer have this as an up hill battle.

Carolinas’ campaign mission of reinstating rent control was a very important message to send to not only her district, but all of the Boston area. The democratic notion that the poor do not vote and the poor deserve to live badly simply is not acceptable.

There is a difference between gentrification and safe and clean neighborhoods. Currently, Cambridge is lovely place to own a home if one is a progressive millionaire. Boston City Council recently on a rent stabilization act. Even though this act did not pass, we will unite and continue fighting until housing becomes a right for all people. Carolina, standing on this principle, moved us a bit closer to this goal.

Many people, including members of our party, thought that Carolina was simply too young to be an effective candidate. The Cambridge Chronicle even labeled her an "ingenue". This is the kind of age discrimination that leaves woman of Carolina’s age objectified sex symbols in our capitalistic culture. Perhaps if she had appeared in a bikini and high heels she would have received more press.

Age discrimination also has enablde a new version of the draft to be on Conress’s table. What our older elected officials are telling Carolinas’ generation is that they are too young to make the rules but old enough to die for them in an unjust war.

As our young men and woman are coming home in body bags Democrats and Republicans alike have no problems with sending us to die at the tax payers expense. Carolina, taking a stand in her our community, gave her generation a human face. One that is not dispensable to an elitist war machine.

One Cambridge city councilor once said " Why fight a battle, if you do not intend to win?" Someday we will win, and we must start now with the daunting task of confronting and dismantling the elitist, two party, winner take all system we have in America.

I believe we did a good thing in our community. We succeeded in building our party and in raising interest in community activities.

Carolina received 18 percent of the vote as an unknown community member running on the Green-Rainbow Party platform. We are a new voice in this community and will continue to run until our voice is fully represented.