Third parties and why they are vital to Democracy

[inthebrain]

After this election I am just wondering if people are still going to complain about third parties.

I have my own take on them. A lot of it due to reading Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States". I read that book years ago and had no idea that Civil Rights was an idea advocated by socialist paries long before the 50's and 60's. I think thrid parties have enriched our democracy thoughout this countries existence and gone a long way to fight against the tyranny of the majority.

Their fight isn't so much for electoral votes but to form a voting bloc. In doing so they are able to foce systemic change throughout American society and government. Both parties in a tight election when they have to find a way to tip the scales have to fight for those voters.

The so called "swing voter" is much more testy ground as you don't really know what's going to tick them. Also, these people really don't follow government and how it effects American life. In a sense. a strong voting bloc by third parties are much more guarenteed to get you votes rather than dancing with the great unknown.

The Democrats in the last eight - twelve years have had their hands forced by variuos third party candidate and picked up some of their issues. Two of them being the damage Corporate influence has on the working man and health care for all. These have become bread and butter issues in todays politics whereas 15 years ago both parties regarded them as "fringe issues".

All in all, I think we are better off today because of it.

[RollWithIt]

1. No problem with 3rd Party, as long as Ralph Nader isn't connected.....

I'm so done with that man. On top of everything else, now I know he's a racist.

[onehandle]

2. Third parties are fine. It's the candidates that are the problem.

Close races between Democrats and Republicans are no place to take a stand.

[inthebrain]

3. I think it's dependent on what issues are at stake

Unfortunalty, in lots of elections there are tons of people that are ignored.

Here in MA, DMR and DMH are getting hit with all the cutbacks. There is not real political consdequence becaust no one gives a shit about Mentally handicapped people getting tossed out on their asses.

It's really sad state of affairs and I'm sure the wealthy mooches in this state won't be denied when it's their turn at the dole.