Politics1 - Guide to American Political Parties

Politics1 - Guide to American Political Parties

This site really gives me a quicker jump on the task I choose to carry out for the next four years. It gives a great snapshot of American political parties today. As I go forward, I hope to use the information it provides to allow me to track these parties that currently are nowhere (hence my reference to Land of the Dead). Should be a very interesting 4-year experience.

Green Party of the United States

Green Party of the United States

Like the Libertarians from a conservative perspective, this is the first alternative that comes to mind from a more liberal or progressive point of view. Actually, as with the Libertarians, I should have linked to their issues page. So here's that link:

Green Party Platform

I'm not a fan of so-called progressive ideas, so I wouldn't make a good explainer of their ideas. In fact, to me, their platform page does a whole lot of not saying very much at all. But they seem to be, at this time, the most viable alternative to the self-proclaimed progressiveness of Democrats. In 2000, this was the party of Ralph Nader. Now they run with a ticket of David Cobb and Pat LaMarche.

If you believe in an active federal government with involvement at a state and even local level, then you should give the Green Party a look.

My first alternative

Libertarian Party: Issues and Positions

My first foray into alternative parties. Libertarians seem to be one of the most "freedom-bent" parties out there. They hold a strong belief in government non-involvement. Personally, I think they are little too pacifist for the times in which we live. But they are most definitely worth the look-see. If you see Michael Badnarik on the ballot, he is their candidate.

REAL choices, please

Those who've ever encountered me on some of the forums I inhabit, from 3GUpload, to Delphi, and even about.com would most likely mistake me for a Republican once they've read only a few posts of mine. I'm most definitely a staunch conservative. And yes, I also would vote Republican long before I'd ever vote Democrat. That said, thought, the reasons are getting less and less certain with each passing election season. So it's time to find and alternative, and I'd like to share this mission with others.

But I wish I'd thought of this 6 months ago. Maybe I could have created some chatter. Oh well. Maybe I can get something started by next election.

I've decided to take on a 4-year mission. It's time for all of us to seek other alternatives. Sure, there are strong differences between the two parties. Pro-life, pro-choice, tax cuts for all, or only for the so-called working class, Iraq, terrorism, unilateralism, free trade...

But, as much as we find to define the differences between these two parties, it becomes equally apparent that they actions don't match their words. It's a truism anymore that the word of a politician is not to be believed. Hell, even the politicians themselves use that truism against each other.

But it shouldn't be an insult to be called a politician. It's not *just* time to toss the bums out. It's time to change the teams. So, over the next four years, and maybe there'll still be time to make a difference with this, I'm going to dedicate my energies to displaying the attitudes, the platforms, and maybe even the antics, of every alternative party I can find that appears to me to at least be a legitimate effort. Every one of them, if I can.

And not just conservative, either. Even if I can get a conservative alternative, it's only half the game changed. I want to take it ALL down, and at least try to get it all back to where it should be: sincere, spirited debate between people of opposing views, but who can honestly discuss their differences and be willing to stand up for them.

It should be very interesting.

I've joined the crowd

Wow. My first blog. I guess I've joined the 21st century. More to come as I develop this habit.