Acceptance of alternate progressive voices in politics

[TechBear_Seattle]

The unabashed glee over Carl Romanelli getting booted from the ballot in Pennsylvania has gotten my dander up. I'm curious to know DU's acceptance of alternate progressive political organizations. By "alternative progressive views", I mean the viewpoints of minor progressive political parties and independents with a generally mainstream message, such as the Greens, Labor or American Liberal. For the purposes of this poll, I am not including groups or individuals with a more radical and/or focused philosphy, such as the Socialist Workers. Also note that I am not asking how people would vote, so please let's not turn this into a pissing competition, ok? :hi:

Please select one option. Comments are appreciated, but I fully understand answering anonymously on this board.

[SteppingRazor]

1. Other:

Alternate candidates are fine, as long as they aren't vote-siphoning toadies of far-right conservatives

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Would you feel the same ire against...

Candidates who run as Democrats, but are really nothing more than "vote-siphoning toadies of far-right conservatives?" I mean, if banner is irrelevant and funding sources is all-important, perhaps we should systematically investigate who is supporting Democrats in all the important races; I'm sure the published results would be most... illuminating.

Or is it only those running as non-Democratic progressives who need to be investigated?

[WildEyedLiberal]

2. Why did it "get your dander up"?

Romanelli is a GOP TROJAN HORSE! ALL his money and ALL his signatures were provided by SANTORUM'S GOP SUPPORTERS!!

Seriously, this situation is NOT complicated and I wish people would STOP trying to spin this into "mean Democrats want to force alternative progressive viewpoints from the ballot" because THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT SANTORUM WANTS YOU TO SAY. Why the HELL do you think he poured all his support into Romanelli in the first place????

Romanelli and every other GOP collaborator share equal guilt in the state of this nation. Support for Romanelli = support for Santorum in every possible way.

[LeftishBrit]

3. Other (as it would have to be)...

given that I'm not American.

But I do feel quite strongly that independent and alternative parties are good for democracy, and that in principle voters should have a choice of more than two parties.

However, I think the electoral system in both our countries needs modifying before that could work fully. I'm not sure exactly what the system should be - pure PR has its problems too- but definitely further in that direction than it is at present.

Under the present system in America, and as the race for control of Congress appears to be so close and so crucial, I personally think that it's best if the anti-Bush people vote just for Democrats THIS YEAR; and then change the system if they want to.

[Greyhound]

6. Yeah sure, you and your fancy schmancy parliamentary system.

Sure everybody gets a proportional voice in governance, and sure it makes one party rule impossible, but look at all the graft you're missing out on... :rofl::rofl::think::rofl::rofl:

[LeftishBrit]

7. Just to make clear...

We don't have PR in the UK (except for Euro-elections), though many other Europaean countries do.

Our voting system is actually fairly similar to yours, except that our political leader isn't supposed to be the head of state though this one certainly thinks he is; and that we don't have the joys of the Electoral College. Oh, and that we still use paper ballots like our parents and grandparents before us; and I certainly hope that this continues!

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. Maybe "alternative progressive underground.com" would be a better venue.

Just sayin.

[Mass]

5. You want alternative views to be meaningful. Support IRV.

http://www.instantrunoff.com/

[LynneSin]

8. You can't consider Romanelli an "Alternative Progressive Voice"

When your entire campaign exists due to the donations of ANOTHER party (in this case Rick Santorum's gang financing the Romanelli campaign) then the candidate in question is NOT an "Alternative Progressive Voice" but simply a desperate measure to help Rick Santorum keep his job.

Don't go lumping Romanelli in with real progressives, regardless of party, who have a message to get out.

The Green Party needs to distance themselves from this asshole

[The Magistrate]

10. Locking

Flame-Bait.

It amounts to advocacy for the Green Party and other third parties, whuch is contrary to the rules of Democratic Underground.

This line, "I am reporting this poll to the mods. Democrats über alles!" amounts to a group attack against other members of the forum, as well as an attack against the moderators and Administrators of the site.