New Third Political Party

[bird_1972]

Now that the conservative movement is fractured by the events of the past year (arguably last 8 years), and Palin's popularity with the "base" looks like it will usher in a new face for the Republican party for the future even if McCain does not end up winning Nov 4, I imagine there will be some renewed desire for another political option.

Just out of curiousity, what would you like to see in a new political party? Perhaps it would be interesting to hear both that and what you think would be the most likely platform such a party would take on should one be created. By that, I mean a truly viable third party.

I for one, would like to see a party fill in the void of the vast middle ground between both right and left extremes. In short, some of the things that would be central tenets of the party would be:

Protection of personal liberties
Less government involvement in personal choices - especially social policy
No direct meddling in foreign governments/wars
Top-quality education
Rational (fact- and science-based) decision-making and
An unwillingness to tamper with the constitution.

[SkinsTerps26]

Yeah, but what is the name of said political party?

[Tulane Skins Fan]

The party in between the extreme rightists and the extreme leftists? That's called the democrats. :D

[Koolblue13]

Those are core beliefs of the Republican party.

They had a few guys run with that platform.

Nobody cared.

Even the GOP is supporting the left leaning McCain.

Do for yourself is outdated and the idea of right and wrong, no longer holds weight for the American people when making a decision about their government.

That said, I'm voting Conservative.

[Koolblue13]

The party in between the extreme rightists and the extreme leftists? That's called the democrats. :D

Riiiggghhhhttt.:rolleyes:

[Tulane Skins Fan]

Riiiggghhhhttt.:rolleyes:

I had a big :D for a reason.

But in honesty, if you think the current GOP is "leftist," then I would suggest you are pretty far to the right.

Although, in fairness, on some things the GOP is very far right and others they are just totally lost, so I suppose you could look at certain issues and consider them "not right," but I still wouldn't call them leftist.

[Thiebear]

The Leadership of the Dems = far left
The Leadership of the Repubs = middle left
The Presidential Dem = far left
The Presidential Repub = middle everything.

Doom-ed.

[Koolblue13]

I had a big :D for a reason.

But in honesty, if you think the current GOP is "leftist," then I would suggest you are pretty far to the right.

Although, in fairness, on some things the GOP is very far right and others they are just totally lost, so I suppose you could look at certain issues and consider them "not right," but I still wouldn't call them leftist.
Sorry, these craptastic smiles still mess me up.

First, I don't factor in "social" issues, they are not for me to decide if they don't impact my life.

Second, I am certainly far to the right politically. I am for very limited government.

[AsburySkinsFan]

My ideal party:
1) Care for the poor (teaching to fish and giving of fish)
2) An eye to the economy that judges success not by looking at spending but looking at how the middle class is doing with the money the receiving.
3) Protection of Freedom of speech and freedom for religious organizations to hire who they wish.
4) Foriegn policy that looks not to our own interests but to the interests of humanity.
5) Foriegn policy that respects various social-economic systems and tries to work with the leaders of those nations as equals not as subordinates.
6) Actively seeks to reduce abortions, not by writing laws or deciding court cases but by addressing the root causes that lay behind the vast majority of abortions (300% higher rate among the poor).
7) Actively seeks to avoid war, not through isolationism but by fair and equal global treatment.
8) Rewards companies (tax breaks) that care more for the well being of their employees rather than focusing so much on the fisical bottom line.
9) Seeks to maintain border security, but also addresses the fact that we must deal in reality with the 10 million undocumented people in a way that honors their humanity and the integrity of their families.
10) Seriously addresses the issues of healthcare, making it available and affordable to all.
11) Reduces military spending by cutting the size of the military.
12) Stands solidly against nuclear proliferation.
13) Calls Israel to responsible and humane treatment of the Palistinians.
14) Works to improve the efficacy of the UN.
15) Stops the development of the missle defense shield (as it promotes a military response)

There are others but those are some of the big ones.

[bird_1972]

Yeah, but what is the name of said political party?

Not as important as what the platform would be.

[Coltsfan in VA]

Now that the conservative movement is fractured by the events of the past year (arguably last 8 years), and Palin's popularity with the "base" looks like it will usher in a new face for the Republican party for the future even if McCain does not end up winning Nov 4, I imagine there will be some renewed desire for another political option.

Just out of curiousity, what would you like to see in a new political party? Perhaps it would be interesting to hear both that and what you think would be the most likely platform such a party would take on should one be created. By that, I mean a truly viable third party.

I for one, would like to see a party fill in the void of the vast middle ground between both right and left extremes. In short, some of the things that would be central tenets of the party would be:

Protection of personal liberties
Less government involvement in personal choices - especially social policy
No direct meddling in foreign governments/wars
Top-quality education
Rational (fact- and science-based) decision-making and
An unwillingness to tamper with the constitution.


I'm pretty sure that is called the Libertarian Party.

[luckydevil]

Asbury, you sound like a Green

[Midnight Judges]

It's a two party system. Having a viable third party is about a realistic as implementing the fair tax. Even if they did come up with some good ideas (I'm thinking something with a little more substance than "duuuuude you gotta cut off the snakehead") the two main parties would just assimilate those ideas into their platforms.

[daveakl]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Democrats

I am way more rep. leaning, but this group would get my vote all the time.

[artmonkforHOF]

I dont care what you call it or who is in it but you guys need a VIABLE third party ASAP.

A 2 party system is really the weakest democracy you can find, I like to refer to it as a rotating dictatorship, and the dictators are the corporations that donate to campaigns to see their interests protected/improved. The nature of a 2 party system also makes it quite easy for campaign contributors to figure out who they should bet on by the current gov in power; If they are popular, keep with that party, if people are looking for a change, place your bet on the other guy.

A new third party might not have much of an impact when it first runs, maybe only getting 10-15% of the vote, but eventually you would hope that they could consistently get at least 20% of the vote.

[GibbsFactor]

It's a two party system. Having a viable third party is about a realistic as implementing the fair tax. Even if they did come up with some good ideas (I'm thinking something with a little more substance than "duuuuude you gotta cut off the snakehead") the two main parties would just assimilate those ideas into their platforms.

You act as if the Democrats and Republicans have been around forever. I agree that outside of the mid 19th century, there's really only been two parties. But it's not as if the Donkeys and Elephants can't be replaced.

Federalists? Whigs? Progressives? Populisits? American Party? Liberty Party, Free Soilest party...

Democratic Republicans and Federalists were the first.

My ideal party is a Jeffersonian Republican party. Too bad society isn't ready for it.

[Koolblue13]

A new third party might not have much of an impact when it first runs, maybe only getting 10-15% of the vote, but eventually you would hope that they could consistently get at least 20% of the vote.

Perot had it, but Buchanon threw it away.

[AsburySkinsFan]

Asbury, you sound like a Green

I've seen some of the Green party stuff, the problem is that I draw a harder line when it comes to issues of faith and being told what I can and cannot say from the pulpit as well as on what basis I can refuse to hire or fire a church employee. Also...Cynthia McKinney...really?

She needs more this....
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3/ocujer/Rep_Cynthia_McKinney.jpg

and less this....
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3/ocujer/mckinney.jpg

And its not just an image thing, but the way she approaches issues sounds typically no more informed than some ES posters :paranoid: who are great BTW.

[SkinsHokieFan]

www.libertypartyusa.com

Thank me in 20 years :)

[bird_1972]

My ideal party is a Jeffersonian Republican party. Too bad society isn't ready for it.

Sounds interesting. What would be its platform?

[bird_1972]

www.libertypartyusa.com

Thank me in 20 years :)

Cool man. I remember you talking about this a while back. I'll take a more thorough read.

Thanks.

[Rdskns2000]

You know why have a party. Why can't politicians just be independent and stand on their own.

To many times; you have seen votes only for what's in the interest in the party not what's good for America.

An independent can stand on his or her beliefs and do what's right for the country.