What America needs is another Party

[Albion]

People don't seem to realize that Ross Perot, running as an independent got over 20 million votes even after he dropped out. I'm sure that was far more than any other third party in modern day history.

Yes, Ross Perot did, but that party did not exist before him and fizzled after the couple of next presidential elections. That was pretty much the pattern with George Wallace's American Independent Party and, also, the Natural Law Party.

If the question is asked, "Should we have a new party," this is not what people are asking for--a third party that operates almost totally at the presidential level, is identified with a single personality, and is gone in a few years.

 

[2tim_215]

Yes, Ross Perot did, but that party did not exist before him and fizzled after the couple of next presidential elections. That was pretty much the pattern with George Wallace's American Independent Party and, also, the Natural Law Party.

If the question is asked, "Should we have a new party," this is not what people are asking for--a third party that operates almost totally at the presidential level, is identified with a single personality, and is gone in a few years.

You just have to a few good candidates decide to take this route and wit so many Americans distraught with both major parties, there should be a few out there.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/225056/americans-identification-independents-back-2017.aspx

 

[Albion]

Yes, that would be ideal. But if the question is asked about what can be one at this moment by anyone who is fed up with the big two parties, the Libertarian Party, like it or not, is the only one that meets the criteria of a real, functioning, national party such as I think you have in mind.

Any other one could always come out of nowhere, but they dont exist at present (with the possible exception of the Green Party) and it would be starting from scratch.

 

[2tim_215]

True, that is if you're a Libertarian but there are only 19% of the population (as compared to 42% of those who claim to be Independents). Why attach yourself to any particular party and just go for the best candidate?

 

[Albion]

True, that is if you're a Libertarian but there are only 19% of the population (as compared to 42% of those who claim to be Independents). Why attach yourself to any particular party and just go for the best candidate?

If that is anyone's perspective on the matter, then more power to them. They are already equipped with the options they need and the course of action to follow.

But this discussion started with the familiar lament about the need for a new or third party, so if THAT is a persons view of the matter, the answer I gave is IMHO about the only good one available at present.

Of course, if libertarian views and policies are not one's cup of tea, then that information won't help them much, but I did want to say that such a party does exist already for anyone who might care.

 

[FenderTL5]

Yes, that would be ideal. But if the question is asked about what can be one at this moment by anyone who is fed up with the big two parties, the Libertarian Party, like it or not, is the only one that meets the criteria of a real, functioning, national party such as I think you have in mind.

Any other one could always come out of nowhere, but they dont exist at present (with the possible exception of the Green Party) and it would be starting from scratch.

I agree, and I have a Solidarity Party affiliation in my avatar/info. I'm on the Solidarity Party email list and I agree with them on most of their platform. They do not compete and our system has effectively blocked them from doing so. It's sad, it irks me, but it is the unfortunate truth.

 

[2tim_215]

If that is anyone's perspective on the matter, then more power to them. They are already equipped with the options they need and the course of action to follow.

But this discussion started with the familiar lament about the need for a new or third party, so if THAT is a persons view of the matter, the answer I gave is IMHO about the only good one available at present.

Of course, if libertarian views and policies are not one's cup of tea, then that information won't help them much, but I did want to say that such a party does exist already for anyone who might care.

I don't see why it would need to be Libertarian (only 19% which I doubt would be enough to win an election) and I repeat, why not just vote for the best candidate whichever party he's in. I think an independent party (perhaps similar in some ways to Libertarian) is the way to go.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

"What this country needs is a really good five-cent cigar."

Thomas R. Marshall

 

[Albion]

I don't see why it would need to be Libertarian (only 19% which I doubt would be enough to win an election) and I repeat, why not just vote for the best candidate whichever party he's in. I think an independent party (perhaps similar in some ways to Libertarian) is the way to go.

Those are two different options.

One, you can be an Independent and choose between the candidates of the Rs and Ds...OR two, you can join some third party. But the Libertarian Party is the only one among them that at present amounts to anything. By and large, if you choose some other minor party, you'll find no candidates of that party on the ballot.