Are political conditions now right for a Popular Front?

[Neecy]

POPULAR FRONT
n.
A political coalition of leftist parties against fascism, such as that formed among European countries during the 1930s

2. a leftist coalition organized against a common opponent

Between the corporatist DLC Democrats and the GOP goose-steppers in the administration and Congress, we're at the mercy of the lobbyists, an immoral war party that's determined to bloody the world, a corrupt media, religious organizations that betray their tax exempt charters by being political arms of the Republican party, the destruction of labor/wage laws, plunder of the environment, expanding executive powers that are leading us to a military/police state and three and a half years left at the mercy of an administration determined to drive our country into the ground.

The hurricane exposed the philosophical failures of the governing class, and the corruption that wlll inevitably follow - for corruption and cronyism are the only sure sources of their governing philosophy - will be the final break between the governed and the overlords.

We look to the Democratic party as a whole to respond to these atrocities and are inevitably disappointed. This is because there is a large segment of the party that is as corrupted by greed, power and fear as the party they pretend to oppose. This is why I think it's time to jettison the whole concept of a two-party system and look to the formation of a large, diverse Popular Front as our last hope to salvage our political system and return the power to the people.

It can't be an abstract concept. Popular Front leaders must openly associate themselves with the basic philosophy of overthrowing the corrupt, money-driven politics of the past and representing the interests of the people. Of returning a basic social contract with our citizens. Of ending the American imperialistic bloodshed overseas. Of stopping the looting of our treasury and the destruction of our environment. Of throwing the moneychangers out of the temple.

Democrats - some Democrats - may, out of conscience and concern for the direction of our country play an important part in an American Popular Front. But they aren't enough. We need a coalition powerful enough to oppose the fascism of our leaders and the smearing of our corporate media stooges. Such a coalition could exist.

-Green Party
-Moderate Republicans
-labor
-civil rights organizations
-environmentalists
-anti-war activists
-liberal religious groups
-women's organizations
-the large, moderate middle whose voices are completely ignored in today's political climate

Of course, Popular Fronts are often associated with Marxism, which would be used as a smear. Framing it instead as a true representation of the people over the powerful and well-connected would, I think, resonate.

I've given up on relying on the Democratic party to represent my interests. The Green party alone is powerless. Perhaps it's time to organize under another banner, with a strong central message, before it's too late.

[Bucky]

1. Probably not. cf: "Popular Fronts are often associated with Marxism"

You'd have to call it something different. America's always functioned with Madisonian-style coalitions--collusions of interest. AT this point in time our best hope is to revivify the Democrats, make them fight harder. Anything more radical than that won't catch on, particularly with half the coalition groups you mentioned (Moderate Republicans, labor, liberal religious groups, women's organizations, the large, moderate middle).

[OneBlueSky]

4. "You'd have to call it something different" . . .

how about "Of the People, By the People, For the People" . . . directly from the Declaration of Independence, I believe . . .

[Finder]

5. Purple People Party

Not red, not blue but a mixture of both---PURPLE POWER.

Ideologues will be identified as "Purple people eaters"

I plan on using this as a slogan.

[ptolle]

7. lincoln people

Actually I think from the Gettysburg Address.Although in John Locke one of the thinkers most directly influential among the founders, and in the declaration of independence there is mention of government deriving its just powers from the consent of the governed. We might still possess a shadow of that concept, but it needs to be magnified a thousand-fold

[OneBlueSky]

8. oops . . . brain fart . . . sorry 'bout that . . . :) n/t

.

[Ladyhawk]

9. Gettysburg Address. n/t

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. I agree with you wholeheartedly

I know there are disaffected people from many sources - and we ARE the majority in this country - we just have no voice.

The Bush administration may have put to bed forever the belief that government is bad and private is better. What has been blowing my mind lately is the realization of the gazillions and batrillions of dollars that float so loosely through our government. I now realize that the US could easily afford universal health, higher education for all,safe retirements,living wages, a clean environment, you name it.

I am also hugely concerned that we are building an underclass to whom we offer no hope, no respect, no resources. Why is anyone shocked when gangs, criminality and drugs seem like reasonable life choices for some? The hard-working poor can work three jobs at our crummy minimum wages and still not earn enough to feed, clothe and house their families. I am glad that Katrina dredged up from the mucky bottom of New Orleans the issues of race and class that we need to face head on.

[greekspeak]

3. Not in America

Not even close. America as a whole is an inherently conservative nation. Superstiscion, religious fundamentalism, ignorance, isolationism, greed are halmarks. Such attributes are not environmentally freindly for a popular front.

[Finder]

6. disagree--those are the makings...

of conditions ripe for a popular movement. When a large portion of the population is unable to identify with either major party, which I believe is happening now, Populist Parties form. Of course they are immediately pandered to by both parties until they assimilate into one or the other.

[Ladyhawk]

10. I'm ready for a populist party.

I'm sick of corporations making slaves of us all.