Third Parties
This was first posted on my Facebook page on November 9, 2016. I'm reposting it here to make it easier to find and reference. You comments are most welcome.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I think it's time to talk about third parties. And what may come as a surprise is that I think they need to become a much bigger part of our political scenery. [ I've had writing this post on my calendar since the conventions this summer.]
At the presidential level any third party candidate has a huge problem. With our Electoral College system, and winner take all, by states, appointment to the Electoral College, it will be very difficult for any third party to find it's way to the White House for a very long time. Those conditions do not apply below the White House.
In our current system our Senators and Representatives kinda have to go along to get along within their party. So rather than giving careful consideration to legislation they do what their party bosses tell them to do. Often being "punished" through loss of committee position, if they stray from the party line. This hurts those of us who happen to have views that don't follow either of the major parties lines.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if no one party had a majority in any legislative body, the strength of the party bosses would lessen and those same bosses would seek to work with others to accomplish the things we need to have accomplished. Look to our current Senate seats. There are two Independents seated. Had the Democrats gained two more seats this election there would be 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats and 2 Independents. If those two Independents were truly independent, they would be the most powerful members of the Senate. That, even without Committee chairmanships. Nearly every vote would hing on which way those two Senators would vote. Their views would have to be considered by both of the major parties.
So! If you are not a mainstream Republican or Democrat this is a great time to start working on strengthening the third party of your choice. Work with that party at the local and state level first. Get members of parties that actually agree, in large part, with your views elected to your town councils, and esp. to your state legislatures. If we can start to see a few non-major party candidates in state legislatures at the next election in two years that would be a big step in changing the political equation.
I don't care if you're a Green, Libertarian, Social Democrat, Democratic Socialist, Centerist, or whatever. NOW is a great time to make your party's views and it's importance know. Likewise, it's a great time for those of us who have mostly been un-partied to look at our options and give careful consideration to a party other than the two major parties.
Thank you for taking the time to read this far. I welcome civil comment and discussion. If you find value here, please pass it on.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I think it's time to talk about third parties. And what may come as a surprise is that I think they need to become a much bigger part of our political scenery. [ I've had writing this post on my calendar since the conventions this summer.]
At the presidential level any third party candidate has a huge problem. With our Electoral College system, and winner take all, by states, appointment to the Electoral College, it will be very difficult for any third party to find it's way to the White House for a very long time. Those conditions do not apply below the White House.
In our current system our Senators and Representatives kinda have to go along to get along within their party. So rather than giving careful consideration to legislation they do what their party bosses tell them to do. Often being "punished" through loss of committee position, if they stray from the party line. This hurts those of us who happen to have views that don't follow either of the major parties lines.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if no one party had a majority in any legislative body, the strength of the party bosses would lessen and those same bosses would seek to work with others to accomplish the things we need to have accomplished. Look to our current Senate seats. There are two Independents seated. Had the Democrats gained two more seats this election there would be 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats and 2 Independents. If those two Independents were truly independent, they would be the most powerful members of the Senate. That, even without Committee chairmanships. Nearly every vote would hing on which way those two Senators would vote. Their views would have to be considered by both of the major parties.
So! If you are not a mainstream Republican or Democrat this is a great time to start working on strengthening the third party of your choice. Work with that party at the local and state level first. Get members of parties that actually agree, in large part, with your views elected to your town councils, and esp. to your state legislatures. If we can start to see a few non-major party candidates in state legislatures at the next election in two years that would be a big step in changing the political equation.
I don't care if you're a Green, Libertarian, Social Democrat, Democratic Socialist, Centerist, or whatever. NOW is a great time to make your party's views and it's importance know. Likewise, it's a great time for those of us who have mostly been un-partied to look at our options and give careful consideration to a party other than the two major parties.
Thank you for taking the time to read this far. I welcome civil comment and discussion. If you find value here, please pass it on.