Can we start our own Party?

[babsbunny]

I don't like any of the ones we currently have, and sometimes I wonder if we aren't all being fooled by thinking there are real Democrats anymore!

[carnie_sf]

1. It's a great American tradition

[yy4me]

2. Great Idea

I'm out of work but if someone gets it going, I'll scrounge up a donation from my piggy bank!

[nickinSTL]

3. lately, I've been thinking

that what used to be the Republican party is now the American Fascist Party, that moderate Republicans and moderate (DLC?) Democrats are a new Conservative Party, and the Progressive Party consists of liberal Democrats and Greens (progressives, generally)

problem is, all these parties haven't broken into their consituent parts yet, so we end up with the Fascists dominating the Republican Party, the Conservatives (or whatever you'd call them) ineffectually split between both main parties, and the Progressives dominated by the Conservatives in the Democratic Party (but starting to fight back).

Just something that's popped into my head recently.

[TahitiNut]

4. It doesn't 'solve' the underlying problem.

Democracy isn't a spectator sport! We can easily see what happens to a political party with a "let George do it" attitude, just as history shows us the failings of the "let Adolph do it" personality cult. Voting isn't enough ... and we can't even get anything near to everyone to do that, even with minimal information.

Like learning a language, democracy is best learned by the "total immersion" approach. "Activist" and "democrat" must be synonymous terms. That "activist" has become, for many, a pejorative is just one indication that Democracy has left the building, along with Reason and Justice and Elvis.

[wli]

6. well, yes, this is no longer a democracy

Hell, even the votes in Congress are a sham.

[wli]

5. there's a reason it's called a "two-party system"

It's rigged to prevent the entrance of new parties.

Probably best to exert heavy influence on Democrats and get some moles in the Republican party.

[RageFist]

8. This is why i am voting third-party next time

even if dems cry foul and say that it will hurt the election...maybe Dems will get real and grow some backbone if they start losing more votes to third parties

[wli]

9. you don't get it, the spoiler effect is the only effect third parties have

There is no way to get reasonable people in office using third parties as things now stand.

[Tux]

12. Correct

At the federal level. If people voted for 3rd parties at local and state levels, it can make it easier to get that 3rd party into the federal level.

To me, both Republicans and Democrats are worn out parties. I'd prefer to have replacements: Green and Libertarian. Wouldn't that be fun?

[wli]

16. if you really want to scare the neocons...

You could start up and/or vote for Communist/Marxist/etc. parties.

They get really nutty about communism, socialism, et al.

[RageFist]

18. Wow, I really like the idea...

of growing them locally first...its so simple it should have seemed obvious (I'm not being sarcastic here). Not that simple is EASY, but I am excited at your idea...oh wait, optimism is a RIGHT-wing principle. Forgive me.

[babsbunny]

13. HELL YEAH!

It doesn't do any good to vote anyway, the Democrats can't seem to fix the Elections! And most won't admit the elections are being stolen!

[LoZoccolo]

22. Maybe a bunch of people will die and it will be your fault.

Just like in 2000.

[RageFist]

25. I'm sorry, i forgot....

did Kerry vote against the war? No he didn't...the democrats are to the RIGHT of where i stand...is that democracy if still vote for them anyway? I don't think it is... and the blood is on Bush's and HIS voters' hands, not mine.

[LoZoccolo]

28. Gore was against the war.

Since people of your ilk didn't see this as a big deal, why are you complaining about Kerry's stance?

Reproductive choice is another thing you people don't care about.

[ironman202]

7. better yet...how about coalition executive government?

[yy4me]

14. coalition executive govt?

Please elaborate.

[TwilightZone]

10. You're certainly free to start one.

Being competitive on a national scale is another matter.

[MercutioATC]

11. The "DU Party"??? God forbid.

15. activism

There were hordes of people coming to my door, calling me and sending me emails during the last months when trying to elect Kerry. Why can't some of those people organize the rest of the 3 1/2 years and get community activism going, insteading of picking one figure head to try to do everything from on top of Mt. Washington.

The local animals right org where I live, wants you to PAY money to be a member. I don't get that. :eyes:

[suigeneris]

17. The Republicans love this kinda defeatist talk.

When will some people learn?

[TahitiNut]

19. Yep. I lay awake nights worrying what Republicans think of me.

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[babsbunny]

20. When will the Democrats

Start doing what the American people want them to do? It seems they do what the Republicans want them to do.

[LoZoccolo]

21. A wise man said...

"If you want to go third-party, then GO. But please don't do it here, because this is a site for Democrats."

[aspberger]

23. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

If we do that there will only be a one party system-Republican.

If you don't like me, get over it. Just hold your nose, vote Democrat; and if necessary, throw up afterward.

[LoZoccolo]

24. Don't feed the troll.

They live for people to suck up to them and beg them not to fuck people over.

Notice I did not say Republican troll - that would be an unfair accusation and against the rules. But someone seeking attention is a troll whether or not they break the rules, and whether or not they are a liberal or a conservative.

[flpoljunkie]

26. "New Democrats?" How about "Real Democrats!" There's a novel idea!

What's the matter with Democrats? They are increasingly seen, and rightfully so, as no longer the party of the people, but captive to the same special interests as the Republicans--banks and credit card companies is the prime example--that are running this counry into the ground.

And no more "third way" Clinton bullsh*t. I want a real Democrat for President and a Congress with the guts to stand up and speak out for what is right and damn the consequences!

After all, what more can they lose they have not already lost? Not much.

[rhett o rick]

27. It won't help. It takes money and lots of it to win elections.

Money always has strings attached. This is the problem. The candidates always are beholding to the money givers. The money that controls the Demo Party would rather have a candidate beholding to them than a candidate that will win. Many corporations give to both sides to cover themselves. A new party won't solve this problem. Admit it or not, this country is a plutocracy disguised as a republic.

[TreasonousBastard]

29. Locking... No we can't...

start our own party. This is still Democratic Underground, and we work to help improve the Democratic Party as the only viable opposition.

There are, however, many other parties already around that all are free to join should this one not be good enough for them, but they all undoubtedly fall somewhat short of perfection. Just like the Democratic Partry.