Third Parties (US)

[Good Old Money]

My question is this: what third party or parties in the United States do you identify with the most ideologically? Even if you are a Democrat or Republican, give your opinion.

Personally, I identify economically with the Libertarians, and getting government out of business, but socially, I identify with the Constitution Party.

How about you?

[Farnhamia]

My question is this: what third party or parties in the United States do you identify with the most ideologically? Even if you are a Democrat or Republican, give your opinion.

Personally, I identify economically with the Libertarians, and getting government out of business, but socially, I identify with the Constitution Party.

How about you?

I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat. You should have "None" choice in the poll.

[Ifreann]

I'm kinda hungry, so I'll go with the legalise marijuana parties.

[Good Old Money]

My question is this: what third party or parties in the United States do you identify with the most ideologically? Even if you are a Democrat or Republican, give your opinion.

Personally, I identify economically with the Libertarians, and getting government out of business, but socially, I identify with the Constitution Party.

How about you?

I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat. You should have "None" choice in the poll.

In my OP, I asked even if you were a Republican or Democrat to choose a third party that you most agreed with.

[Farnhamia]

I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat. You should have "None" choice in the poll.

In my OP, I asked even if you were a Republican or Democrat to choose a third party that you most agreed with.

"None" is still a legitimate answer. I don't care for any of them.

[Good Old Money]

None has been added to the poll.

[Farnhamia]

None has been added to the poll.

Thank you. Since I'm the only person who has voted, I win.

[Good Old Money]

None has been added to the poll.

Thank you. Since I'm the only person who has voted, I win.

I have tied you...

[Wisconsin7]

And I have tied both of you.

[Good Old Money]

And I have tied both of you.

What did you vote for?

[Ourfgenstan (Ancient)]

Out of the list, the Green party sounds the best, but I wouldn't support any of them.

[Farnhamia]

None has been added to the poll.

Thank you. Since I'm the only person who has voted, I win.

But I was first!

I think the trouble with the Third PArties in this country is that they're always trying for the Gold Medal, the Presidency, instead of going for something reasonable, like state legislatures or Congress. Those seats are much more easily attained, especially the state ones. They build public awareness by showing the voters that they aren't wild-eyed socialist or fascist right- or left-wing nuts. Everybody wants instant gratification. It doesn't work that way. Breaking the two-party system is going to take work.

[Genivaria]

Green, definitely Green. There the only real liberals in the US I think.

[Wisconsin7]

And I have tied both of you.

What did you vote for?

Communist. It doesn't matter anymore, Green has taken over.

[Good Old Money]

Thank you. Since I'm the only person who has voted, I win.

But I was first!

I think the trouble with the Third PArties in this country is that they're always trying for the Gold Medal, the Presidency, instead of going for something reasonable, like state legislatures or Congress. Those seats are much more easily attained, especially the state ones. They build public awareness by showing the voters that they aren't wild-eyed socialist or fascist right- or left-wing nuts. Everybody wants instant gratification. It doesn't work that way. Breaking the two-party system is going to take work.

Agreed, I think in the South Carolina legislature, there is a Constitution Party member. He switched from Republican after the election, but he will try to be reelected a CP member. It'll be interesting to see.

I agree, especially in the states, where it is as much who can get their names out there.

And then if in a state,there are 3 third party members,they will grow exponentially.

[Good Old Money]

Green, definitely Green. There the only real liberals in the US I think.

Do you mean largest true liberals? Because I think the Communists and Socialists are considered pretty liberal.

[Revolutopia]

I think the trouble with the Third PArties in this country is that they're always trying for the Gold Medal, the Presidency, instead of going for something reasonable, like state legislatures or Congress. Those seats are much more easily attained, especially the state ones. They build public awareness by showing the voters that they aren't wild-eyed socialist or fascist right- or left-wing nuts. Everybody wants instant gratification. It doesn't work that way. Breaking the two-party system is going to take work.

you do have some Third Parties that do focus on that, such as the Vermont Progressive Party has successfully elected a number of individuals to their respective state legislature.

[Farnhamia]

But I was first!

I think the trouble with the Third PArties in this country is that they're always trying for the Gold Medal, the Presidency, instead of going for something reasonable, like state legislatures or Congress. Those seats are much more easily attained, especially the state ones. They build public awareness by showing the voters that they aren't wild-eyed socialist or fascist right- or left-wing nuts. Everybody wants instant gratification. It doesn't work that way. Breaking the two-party system is going to take work.

Agreed, I think in the South Carolina legislature, there is a Constitution Party member. He switched from Republican after the election, but he will try to be reelected a CP member. It'll be interesting to see.

I agree, especially in the states, where it is as much who can get their names out there.

And then if in a state,there are 3 third party members,they will grow exponentially.

The Constitution Party is, frankly, frightening.

In a number of states, the smaller parties have an uphill battle, as the process of getting on the ballot is rigged against them by the Democrats and Republicans. For example, in the last Colorado gubernatorial election the GOP blew its own brains out and ex-Congressman Tom Tancredo jumped in on the CP ticket. He drew way more votes than the Republican candidate, who only just managed to keep the party about 10%. If they'd polled less than 10%, the Colorado GOP would have become a "minor party." They'd have had to get twice as many signatures to get on the ballot, among other things. That's what I meant about it being work, because in a lot of places the deck has been stacked.

[Farnhamia]

I think the trouble with the Third PArties in this country is that they're always trying for the Gold Medal, the Presidency, instead of going for something reasonable, like state legislatures or Congress. Those seats are much more easily attained, especially the state ones. They build public awareness by showing the voters that they aren't wild-eyed socialist or fascist right- or left-wing nuts. Everybody wants instant gratification. It doesn't work that way. Breaking the two-party system is going to take work.

you do have some Third Parties that do focus on that, such as the Vermont Progressive Party has successfully elected a number of individuals to their respective state legislature.

Good for them. They should send missionaries out to the rest of the country.

[Good Old Money]

you do have some Third Parties that do focus on that, such as the Vermont Progressive Party has successfully elected a number of individuals to their respective state legislature.

Good for them. They should send missionaries out to the rest of the country.

Maybe the reason the VPP focuses on the state legislature is because it is a state-only party, and obviously probably could not get on a presidential ballot in more than 1 state, Vermont.

[Farnhamia]

Good for them. They should send missionaries out to the rest of the country.

Maybe the reason the VPP focuses on the state legislature is because it is a state-only party, and obviously probably could not get on a presidential ballot in more than 1 state, Vermont.

They might teach the others some salutary lessons about the roots of grass and getting people elected, though. Forget the presidency. Think state senate, state house, or the governorship (eventually).

[Revolutopia]

Good for them. They should send missionaries out to the rest of the country.

Maybe the reason the VPP focuses on the state legislature is because it is a state-only party, and obviously probably could not get on a presidential ballot in more than 1 state, Vermont.

They could always try to branch out in help found a number of other *respective state* Progressive Party.

[Good Old Money]

Maybe the reason the VPP focuses on the state legislature is because it is a state-only party, and obviously probably could not get on a presidential ballot in more than 1 state, Vermont.

They might teach the others some salutary lessons about the roots of grass and getting people elected, though. Forget the presidency. Think state senate, state house, or the governorship (eventually).

I agree, but for the VPP, the highest they can go is the state.

However, the lesson is that the place third parties have the best chance is at the local, county, and state levels. Because here the opinions could be skewed towards a more radical movement. And also at the local level, candidates can get to know each and every of their voters.

So the starting point for third parties is the grassroots and local level.

[Farnhamia]

Maybe the reason the VPP focuses on the state legislature is because it is a state-only party, and obviously probably could not get on a presidential ballot in more than 1 state, Vermont.

They could always try to branch out in help found a number of other *respective state* Progressive Party.

They might and someday grow a national organization out of it. No one seems to understand the concept of the farm system any more. You gotta play in the minor leagues a while before you can move up to the big show.

[Genivaria]

Green, definitely Green. There the only real liberals in the US I think.

Do you mean largest true liberals? Because I think the Communists and Socialists are considered pretty liberal.

Yeah that.