It's time for a new political party

[Supergirl]

X-posted to my own blog

It’s been a long time since America had more than two viable political parties, and since those two parties were the Republican and Democratic parties. It’s time for that the change, but while many people I know have long hoped for the rise of the Green Party, I do not think this is the most likely scenario.

The Republican party has lost its identity. Like it or not, Sarah Palin is the face of the new Republican party. Anti-intellectual, xenophobic, conservative in every sense of the word, change-resisting. That is not the same Republican party that backed Lincoln back in its founding days, and it’s not even the same party as Reagan, and it’s certainly not the same party as Barry Goldwater.

I think it’s time for those fiscally conservative, socially tolerant Republicans to step up and officially leave their party. Perhaps they need to band together with the Libertarians. Perhaps they need to form their own party. But I think this is the bold new move that will change the political landscape, and make Sarah Palin a lot less relevant. And honestly, I may disagree with this segment of the population about how our nation’s financial resources should be spent (health care versus bombs) but I could imagine putting aside these disagreements at times and supporting candidates from this new party.

I honestly think that if Obama wins - and polls indicate he will - something like this will happen. The Republican party is close to imploding. And I think it’s exactly what needs to happen.

[101A]

X-posted to my own blog

It’s been a long time since America had more than two viable political parties, and since those two parties were the Republican and Democratic parties. It’s time for that the change, but while many people I know have long hoped for the rise of the Green Party, I do not think this is the most likely scenario.

The Republican party has lost its identity. Like it or not, Sarah Palin is the face of the new Republican party. Anti-intellectual, xenophobic, conservative in every sense of the word, change-resisting. That is not the same Republican party that backed Lincoln back in its founding days, and it’s not even the same party as Reagan, and it’s certainly not the same party as Barry Goldwater.

I think it’s time for those fiscally conservative, socially tolerant Republicans to step up and officially leave their party. Perhaps they need to band together with the Libertarians. Perhaps they need to form their own party. But I think this is the bold new move that will change the political landscape, and make Sarah Palin a lot less relevant. And honestly, I may disagree with this segment of the population about how our nation’s financial resources should be spent (health care versus bombs) but I could imagine putting aside these disagreements at times and supporting candidates from this new party.

I honestly think that if Obama wins - and polls indicate he will - something like this will happen. The Republican party is close to imploding. And I think it’s exactly what needs to happen.

That's a good read on the people that still allign with Republicans, but could easily attach to a party with beliefs that you espouse. However, the two parties have EACH been through similar "crisis", as recent as '03 for the Dems - remember Carville with a trash-can over his head on election night? It is also in the Dems interest for the Republicans to recover; they don't want a viable third party, either. Somehow, someway, Republcans will come out of this in a few years, and grab some power back.

[ratm1221]

The laws make it too hard for third parties and just favors the 2 major parties. When the two political parties control the government, they make sure it's almost impossible for another party to rise.

[ElNono]

I think what's going to happen is a purge of the neocon douches from the party. They did manage to win the past 2 elections, and that's probably why they were allowed to give it one more shot this time around. But it's undeniable that they've managed to alienate even some of the core republican base, along with tarnishing the party in general.
The best thing going for republicans is that they run against the democrats. So I'm sure they'll be able to rebuild around another figure, and come back strong.

[ratm1221]

Third parties have to jump through all kinds of hoops. They have to collect thousands of signatures and they all have to be validated, etc, etc...

[01.20.09]

There will be one big party on 11/04 that's for sure!!!!

[fyatuk]

Third parties have to jump through all kinds of hoops. They have to collect thousands of signatures and they all have to be validated, etc, etc...

That's not really true. In many states, the petitions just bypass ballot fees. ie, you either pay $100k or get 75k signatures to get on the ballot (made up numbers).

The problems start when the Republicans and Democrats start suing to remove the parties with similar idealogies (democrats don't like Nader, republicans don't like libs, etc), and the lack of FEC recognition of minor parties until they receive a good chunk of the vote (I believe it's 12.5% or something stupid like that).

[Spur-Addict]

The laws make it too hard for third parties and just favors the 2 major parties. When the two political parties control the government, they make sure it's almost impossible for another party to rise.

That's what sucks, and nobody is going to push to change that legislation either.

I don't care if the two stay, the platform just needs to expand to permit multiple parties in centralized important debates (made easier by removing some loopholes). There certainly should be a cap, but two is garbage. Maybe a four candidate playoff system, not in regards to elimination, but in regards to debates.

Meaning, they should switch and debate each other twice. Time can definetly be made up by pushing the debates back earlier. The general election should have multiple candidates on the ticket. I think dichotomy's blow.

Plus, people will watch the debates, the views will be many, so can only hope that people overall would be more educated and informed. Even if it's in the slightest increase.

[Spur-Addict]

Money for the media is what really handicaps though, the media is a steam roller

[Supergirl]

I think what's going to happen is a purge of the neocon douches from the party. They did manage to win the past 2 elections, and that's probably why they were allowed to give it one more shot this time around. But it's undeniable that they've managed to alienate even some of the core republican base, along with tarnishing the party in general.
The best thing going for republicans is that they run against the democrats. So I'm sure they'll be able to rebuild around another figure, and come back strong.

I think Palin is essentially running to be the Republican candidate in 2012, and if the moderate Republicans are smart, they will use the time to re-group and get their own candidate together before then...

[Viva Las Espuelas]

republicans are pretty much the democrats of yesterday. democrats are pretty much socialists. it's pretty stupid to call any base sound. there's just no way. just look at the whole hilary/obama mess. i don't need labels i just need to see results and progress without having to be sucking on the government teat.

[ElNono]

I think Palin is essentially running to be the Republican candidate in 2012, and if the moderate Republicans are smart, they will use the time to re-group and get their own candidate together before then...

I think it depends on how Obama does, and how Palin progresses as a politician. If Obama happens to be doing real good, you might not want to expose her in 2012, and instead go against whoever the Dems put up on 2016.

[JoeChalupa]

I think Palin is hurting her chances the more she stump speeches for McCain.

[Anti.Hero]

The green party LOL.

It would take them 2 fucking days to run the country into the ground.


Just get some fiscal conservatives non-worldpolice in there ffs.