Any possibility of a viable third party emerging in the US?

[NJDevil]

I was at dinner with a few friends tonight, discussing the terrible precedent the federal government is setting by getting involved in the Terri case. It dawned on me that now might be a time for a third party to come into being.

I don't think this is likely, simply that the situation is more favorable to one than it has been in recent history.

The republican party has moved away from its roots and continues going further to the right.
The democrats seem to be unable to gather any sort of excitement. They have no "central" unity like the republicans have abortion/no gay marriage/values. There appear to be many moderates who are unlikely to continue supporting the republicans movement towards the right while being unhappy with the alternative democratic party.

Perhaps in several years we may see a new party arise. It would certainly be fiscally responsible (if it were to survive), and I also feel it would be less socially conservative than the republican party is at the moment. Perhaps a libertarian party which is more liberal in terms of government spending (but less so than democrats).

I see the main emphasis of the party being that of security at home in terms of fiscal responsibility.

Like I said, I don't think this will happen, but that it's more likely to happen now than it was in the past. I guess I see this as the Republicans breaking of from the Whigs in the pre civil war era over slavery (as opposed to over social conservatism, lots of spending today).

Any comments?

 

[KarenMarie]

The federal government and the federal courts have been sticking their nose in where it does not belong for decades. And the only time anyone complains is when it is about something they disagree with. The Shiavo case is nothing new... it is just gettting a lot of coverage.

As far as a viable third party... that would be wonderful... but I doubt it would happen. The political machines have become so negative and hateful that anyone in their right mind would not want to get involved so we are left with the present day crooks and self serving blathers. It is all about money in politics. And the major players will only spend on those who they can buy loyalty from.

Would be nice to see a fresh set of principals though!
🙂

 

[yllus]

Don't we wish? 🙂 My dream is a true progressive-conservative party...it'd be the embodiment of applied common sense and pragmatism, but for some reason it'll never happen.

On the issue of fiscal responsibility: Yanno, I have a theory. It's that while we love the idea of fiscal responsibility, nobody really wants to see it implemented. It'd mean no tax cuts for a long time - instead, perhaps some new taxes. More user fees. More investment in generally fiscally unpopular things with programs in education and law enforcement that takes decades to produce results. Better to talk the talk and avoid walking the walk on this one.

 

[smc13]

Federal laws make it hard for new parties to compete with Republicans and Democrats so I doubt we will see a viable third party in the forseable future.

I disagree that the Republican party is moving more to the right. What they seem to be doing is moving left in the sense that they now believe that bigger bureauracracy is better. they seem to have gotten to like being the majority party to much.

I also disagree that fiscal responsibility would mean no tax cuts. Real fiscal responsibility would mean less spending since most of the spending is designed to buy votes and has little benefit to society.

 

[alent1234]

third party will not happen in the US simply because the reps and the dems each span the entire political spectrum. The dems are more to the left and the reps are to the right, but each party also has member from the opposite side of the spectrum.

The US political system is also designed where any major legislation needs broad based support to pass. Currently this is 2/3 of the Senate.

Most other countries have parlimentry systems where one of two major parties wins the election and they need to make a coalition with the other parties.

 

[Mean MrMustard]

Perhaps a libertarian party which is more liberal in terms of government spending (but less so than democrats).

You have no idea what a libertarian is.

 

[KarenMarie]

Originally posted by: smc13
Federal laws make it hard for new parties to compete with Republicans and Democrats so I doubt we will see a viable third party in the forseable future.

I disagree that the Republican party is moving more to the right. What they seem to be doing is moving left in the sense that they now believe that bigger bureauracracy is better. they seem to have gotten to like being the majority party to much.

I also disagree that fiscal responsibility would mean no tax cuts. Real fiscal responsibility would mean less spending since most of the spending is designed to buy votes and has little benefit to society.

In many issues... the Republicans are moving so far left that there is very little distingusihable difference between them and the dems of a decade ago.
😉

 

[NJDevil]

Originally posted by: ELP

Perhaps a libertarian party which is more liberal in terms of government spending (but less so than democrats).

You have no idea what a libertarian is.

I was under the impression that libertarians are for minimal federal government. Basically, the government shouldn't control our lives (through social conservatism or high spending).

By more liberal, i meant more more spending than I associate with minimal federal government.

If i'm wrong, please let me know.

 

[KarenMarie]

Originally posted by: NJDevil

Originally posted by: ELP

Perhaps a libertarian party which is more liberal in terms of government spending (but less so than democrats).

You have no idea what a libertarian is.

I was under the impression that libertarians are for minimal federal government. Basically, the government shouldn't control our lives (through social conservatism or high spending).

By more liberal, i meant more more spending than I associate with minimal federal government.

If i'm wrong, please let me know.

From the Libertarian Party website.

"Libertarians believe the answer to America's political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade as prescribed by America's founders."

 

[Mean MrMustard]

Originally posted by: NJDevil

Originally posted by: ELP

Perhaps a libertarian party which is more liberal in terms of government spending (but less so than democrats).

You have no idea what a libertarian is.

I was under the impression that libertarians are for minimal federal government. Basically, the government shouldn't control our lives (through social conservatism or high spending).

By more liberal, i meant more more spending than I associate with minimal federal government.

If i'm wrong, please let me know.

Okay. Now I understand. You mean a libertarian-ish party closer to the Democratic party?

I think we could have a libertarian-like party, but eventually it would fall back to the ways our current atrocious parties.

Libertarianism would only last and flourish if the masses were educated. I'm not talking about political re-education; I'm talking about people understanding that they can do as they please as long as it doesn't impede on another's right to do as they please.

It seems simple enough, but those of us who are less educated will need to impose themselves on others to make themselves feel important. I think that is the basis for a group of people trying to suppress another group. I think only education and the encouragement of free thinking, will allow party such as this to thrive.

 

[Infohawk]

DUVERGER'S LAW. Google it.

 

[Kibbo]

Originally posted by: alent1234
third party will not happen in the US simply because the reps and the dems each span the entire political spectrum. The dems are more to the left and the reps are to the right, but each party also has member from the opposite side of the spectrum.

Umm. . no, it doesn't. There is no party to support if you are fiscally conservative, and socially liberal. There might be individual congressional candidates that fit that bill that are members of either party, but I feel sorry for anyone who wanted that in the Presidential contest.

When the Democrat is more fiscally responsible than the Republican, you have a strange election going on.