New third party

Just a thought I've been thinking on.
A new third party could indeed come from the ranks real working class americans. With modern wonders such as youtube and yahoo and metacafe and the like, why does one have to have millions of dollars in campaign funds to run for office. This would not have to apply to just the presidental office but also to capitol hill. If a person well versed in the issues with excellent judgement and the ability to appeal to a large segment of the population were to post a clear comphrehensive video on the internet, simply explaining his/her stances on the issues without mumbling or sidestepping or straddling the fence, enough people might see it to spread the word and get that person on the ballot for congress, senate, or even the presidency.
Just me thinking too much maybe but what do fellow ATS members think?

Lots of 3rd parties already. Pick one that already exists. Someone that believes as you do has already started the party that you are talking about. Do your homework and figure out which one it is.

Libertarian? Green? Constitution? America's Constitution? Socialist Workers? It goes on and on and on already.

Libertarian here.

It's a two party system because the majority are registered that way.

Register in a third party, if one of them resonates with your political direction. Maybe one day soon we will transcend this two party monopoly.

And I guess that'd be the point of my post. While the mainstream is considered to be the two major parties, most of the third parties I've heard of somehow get reported as extremist or not legitimate in some form or fashion. I do remember Ross Perot getting a lot of attention in the 1992 election before dropping out. Wasn't he an independent? I suppose aside from the existing third parties what is stopping the rise of a viable indepenent again? If someone that truly represents the interests of mainstream america, especially on issues that most agree on, then what is stopping that person from getting equal exposure compared to a republican or democrat candidate? Aside from the truckloads of money supplied by the major corporations and special intrest groups? Example, for the libertarions, there is Bob Barr for president, yet I bet a man on the street poll would find less than ten percent of folks have ever heard of him, and of those ten percent I bet less than ten percent of those would know a thing about the libertarion party or what Bob Barr supports.
Maybe a change is coming in the future, what with congress having single digit approval ratings and all.

reply to post by texas thinker


And a new 3rd party would not get anywhere near the support of the Libertarian party, and we know how small that is. So pick one that already exists.

I have always feared that the 'alternative' parties, while ideologically distinct, are, despite our noblest hopes, incapable of achieving any meaningful change whatsoever. The conversion would have to include solid strength in the House and Senate, and that just isn't going to happen.

The system, its forms and processes, and the balance of judicial power have been corrupted. It's no longer a matter of leadership in the Executive branch.

We need a true movement. Obama?, McCain?... nope, not happening. There strictly establishment, and status quo social engineers..., just like the party that brought them to you.

Originally posted by Lucid Lunacy

Libertarian here.

It's a two party system because the majority are registered that way.

What's with this 'registered' thing?
I'd like someone to 'splain it to me because here in Canada we just vote, we are not 'registered' to any party.
Sounds to me that being 'registered' keeps a person from straying to any alternative. Not so much by any law, but mentally locked in to an outdated ideology to prevent strays to new ideas, keeping 'the business as usual' theme intact (like stuck in the two party system, here in Canada we have 4 major parties, 2 main ones, and a bunch of other ones, lots of choice).

Do you Americans have to let your government know what party you affiliate with?

I don't get it.

Like, if I was registered with the Liberal party of Canada, I would be more inclined by habit to vote for them, simply because I am registered with them.

Eh?

reply to post by Toadmund


We don't claim it makes sense; it's just they refuse to consider changing the system ---- it works so well you see... [/sarcasm off]

Maybe you could get your PM to suggest it to our next prez when they meet to decide our fate.

reply to post by texas thinker


Well I am not a Bob Barr fan at all. So this is one Libertarian that probably will not be voting in his party.

reply to post by Toadmund


Ultimately I think we should abolish the whole concept of 'parties'.

You can vote for anyone during the Presidential election regardless of which party you are registered with.

However, during the Primaries it does matter which party you are registered with.