I was reading this thread, and started thinking about third party candidates. Unlike many people I do believe that third parties, even the single issue ones, do serve a useful purpose in the US political system - anytime an issue or party gets a signifigant fraction of the vote, the major parties usually co-opt their issues to keep from losing their base.
The problem I have this year, is that while I don’t care much for either major party candidate - I can’t bring myself to vote for any of the third party candidates I’ve looked into: For example the Green party’s insistence on immediate pull out of US troops from both Iraq and Afghanistan is morally indefensible, IMNSHO.
All, I’m looking for here, really, is to get the views of supporters of the various third parties, to see if they can convince me to use my presidential vote for their candidate.
The Light Party (“THE LIGHT PARTY a synthesis of the Republican, Democratic, Libertarian and Green Parties, is a PROACTIVE wholistic, educational, empowerment party… We have formulated a practical, synergistic, 7-point WIN-WIN program which serves to successfully resolve our current socio- economic and ecological challenges”. Also, this party claims to have a seven point plan, yet their logo is a six point star.)
My own state’s Independance Fusion Party has yet to make up its mind about a presidential candidate, last time I looked, and I can’t say I blame them. But… <shrug>
Well… Student Body President at RPI is closer than West Virginia.
Umm… I don’t care HOW good a party this might be: I’m not going to take the time to read their platforms if I can’t make their web page stop "Ohmmmmmmmm"ing at me.
Anyone talking still about enacting the Kyoto accords, even with a line “renegotiate, if necessary.” (emphasis mine) is not going to get my vote. I can be sold on the idea of a global environmental treaty. I agree that the standards being applied to rich nations, like the US, or developed Europe, and Japan, should be more stringent than those expected of China, India, or Bangladesh. But any global environmental treaty that does NOT have goals for controlling emissions from China and India is not a good environmental treaty.
I think I like the BSRP name more… but I’ve often been told I’m odd.
Alas the link isn’t working for me.
I’d like thank you for the list you submitted. Even where I don’t agree with the party mentioned, I’m always glad to have someone else to check out. (As long as I’m not getting "Ohmmmmmmm"ed, that is.) Any snarkiness in my comments is directed only at the party, not at you for the suggestion or mention.
I voted 3rd party in '84. That was the Citizen’s Party, most famously the party of Barry Commoner, but from which I’ve heard little in these intervening years. Wonder if they’re fielding a candidate this year?
