What are the chances for a real Labor Party?

[Drahthaardogs]

It seems like there is some sort of movement afoot. Do you think that any of these situations today will result in a bunch of pro-labor types running for office in the next election cycle who will put middle class demands on the table? Something to counter the tea party and maybe give labor and the working class a voice in Congress? I would sure welcome a group of hard case pro-labor democrats.

[Vincardog]

1. I would sure welcome a group of hard case pro-labor democrats.

[BzaDem]

2. There is no chance of an actual third party winning any non-negligable power (270 electoral college

absolute majority requirement).

The Democratic party could of course move left if people in primaries vote for more left-leaning candidates, but that is completely different than starting a third party.

[Drahthaardogs]

3. Sure, not an actual Labour Party like a third party

But a group of democrats espousing labor ideals and real working class agendas. Much like the Tea Party has become a sub-group of the Republican Party that espouses stupidity and moderately attractive, vapid, middle-aged women.

[Tesha]

6. Does the Electoral College elect our Senators and Reps?

I didn't know that!

I thought it only took a plurality of the voters
in one state or one Congressional District.

Tesha

[BzaDem]

8. In case you haven't noticed

our system makes any change go through several veto points, including a majority in the House, supermajority in the Senate, and a Presidential signature.

So if your goal is to actually change something in a way that you feel the modern Democratic party would never do (rather than simply block bills, which is easy), you really aren't going to get anywhere, even in the fantasy where a third party can get a non-negligable portion of the vote in a non-negligable number of districts (let alone a plurality in a non-negligable number of districts).

[Tesha]

10. Somehow, I suspect that if we had, say, 10 actual Progressive Senators, your opinion...

...would be shown to be just so much wind from
the Conservative side of the party.

Tesha

[BzaDem]

11. Even in the fantasy land where there will ever be 10 third party Senators, why do you think they

would be able to accomplish anything? You need 218+60+President to get anything done.

[fittosurvive]

4. Demlicans have rigged the game. There will never be a viable third party.

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. the last time a new party emerged and remained a viable force was right on the verge of Civil War

It would require the equivalent of atmosphere that existed in the 1850's/1860s for any viable third party to emerge and remain a viable force.

There have been countless attempts during the 20th Century to create the equivalent of a labor party of some sort of progressive third party in America during times in which that labor movement had a lot more momentum than it does now and the political climate was infinitely more auspicious for creating a progressive third party alternative than it does now.

There is absolutely no possibility whatsoever that a viable labor party or some other type of progressive third party alternative can gain traction much less maintain a position as a viable political force at least for the foreseeable future. Talk about the idea is nothing new - It has been a left-wing dream for more than the last hundred years.

It should happen. But it's not going to happen. This is reality.

[doc03]

7. That is what the Democratic party used to be n/t

[Little Star]

12. This is what the dem party needs to return to. The working mans party!

With the help of the unions it seems possible! How can we make it happen?

[madokie]

9. I'm all for it

Our dems are no better than the pukes, in some ways worse because so many have put their trust in them to do what is right and with this present crop of evil congress critters there is no doing it right.