October 19, 2003
The Face of the New Independent
There are generally, but by no means limited to, three types of Independents. The first are voters who find no common ground with either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. They may be attracted to certain aspects of either party, but cannot bring themselves to fully support either party’s agenda and compromise their own. The second are voters who have become disenchanted with the Democrats or the Republicans. This usually happens when voters feel that party lines have been crossed and agendas compromised. The last are voters who are new voters with no particular party affiliations, but may decide to vote because of one particular issue, such as environmental concerns. These people haven’t been “charmed” by either major party and are usually more open to new ideas.
Currently, there are two major Independent parties that have managed to capture the “lime light” of politics: the Green Party and the Libertarians. The Green Party describes itself as “committed to environmentalism, non-violence, social justice and grassroots organizing.” The Libertarian Party describes itself as “committed to America's heritage of freedom: individual liberty and personal responsibility, a free-market economy of abundance and prosperity, and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade.” While both parties offer similar views, it is apparent that first is more liberal and progressive; whereas, the latter is more conservative and traditional.
One cannot, however, rule out the wide variety of Independent parties available today, everything from Socialist and Communist parties, to parties in favor of preserving the Constitution, Christian values, Patriotism, and Reform. Many of these parties deal with particulars such as Workers’ Rights or Christian values and feel that these particular topics get lost in the shuffle of the two major parties. For a complete list of all political parties in the US, please see the following website: The Keele Guide to US Political Parties.
So just what is the face of the new Independent? The new Independent is frustrated with the partisan non-compromises of the two party system, which generally result in issues that affect the voters being lost in red tape or enmeshed with other issues until the original causes are assimilated beyond recognition. The new Independent is usually disenchanted with what they see as a lack of preservation or improvements for the quality of life of the average voter by the two party system. When promises are made and then broken, these new Independents often feel that the two party system has let the whole of America down. Two of the biggest issues that drive the new Independents are the environment and health care. Although there are many other issues on Independent party agendas, they see environment and health care overlooked time and time again by the two party system. Since the events of September 11, 2001, security on the home front has also become a huge issue for most new Independents. Although many of them feel that war is not the answer, many do believe in a strong defense, but not at the expense of important issues affecting the lives of the American voters. Most new Independents are also discouraged by the role of corporations in politics, and this is why few of these new Independent parties will accept corporation contributions and prefer contributions from private citizens and affiliated organizations.
With all the stalemates that occur in Congress, mainly due to partisan politics, it is time for the face of the new Independent to rise up and make itself known. The two party system that is suffocating this country can only be stopped by more voters rejecting the old norms and taking a stand to ensure real changes are made. They need to stop voting for either Democrats or Republicans because it's what they have always done or because they feel that Independents do not stand a chance. When enough voters make their voices heard by turning to Independent parties, then perhaps the Democrats and the Republicans will finally understand that Americans are tired of “politics as usual” and deserve the unusual, the untraditional, the New Independent.
Ravyne, great article. It would not take all that many conversions to 3rd parties to bring about real change. All major 3rd parties that I can think of have at the top of their priority list, the busting of the Fed. Elections Commission (FEC).
If all Independent and 3rd party voters would go vote, either the Democrats or the Republicans (whichever is the underdog) would realize the insurance value of courting the independent and 3rd party vote. The only way to do that across the differences in 3rd parties is to address inclusion by 3rd parties into the FEC; or, so changing FEC policy as to accomodate 3rd party votes to be swung to the major party championing those FEC changes.
This well crafted article was a good read. Thanks.
Posted by: DRRemer at October 19, 2003 06:28 PMRavyne—
Agreed, the two Party system is failing America but most of the Third Party platforms make little sense to me; they are for the most part too extreme and untenable. While I will admit that our (American) brand of capitalism is now hurting the country and working counter to the stated precepts of the Preamble to the Constitution, I by no mean think that Socialism, which is what many Third Party advocate, is the answer.
A melding of the two forms of economic governance is what is needed. Healthcare, for instance needs to be nationalized for the good of the country and to help keep decent paying jobs on American soil. How long can we as a society sustain the ever burgeoning and ballooning cost of Healthcare?
For the record I identify with those Independents who can stomach neither Party, although there is something to herald in each platform.
Good article BTW and welcome to WatchBLOG.
I agree with most of what has been said. I think that most everyone realizes the FEC mendated monopoly that Republicans and Democrats have on the American political system.
I’m alot like V. Edward Martin, in that I really can not bring myself to whole-heartedly endorse either of the two major parties. At the same time however, most of the third parties are so idealogically and single issue driven, that it is hard to join any of these parties. For example, I agree with alot of what the Green party says, but I also like alot of libertarianism.
Personally, I think that it is time for those of us who are disenchanted with the status quo to perhaps come together and form an organization based on best serving the interest of the American people rather than hard right and hard left wing idealogues.
Actually, that brings me to an interesting question. Is it possible to have a political party based on common sense and pragmatism, or will that party fall prey to some blow hard looking to push a narrow agenda?
Thank you all for your kind comments. And I do agree that these Independent parties are all biased to individual agendas. This is why I haven’t joined any one particular group. I too would love to see a party that embraces some of the better qualities of the Greens and the Libertarians. Being a Moderate, I tend to go both ways at time..a little liberal on some things like health care and the enviroment and a little conservative on things like perserving the constitution and state rights. I am generally opposed to Big Government and yet, I know that some things have to be regulated on a Federal level for them to work properly. It is indeed a difficult equation of how to join those qualities together.
Posted by: Ravyne at October 20, 2003 03:01 PMNate, to answer your question I think that such a Party can come to fruition given the right platform and the forward thinking visionary people to join its ranks. I am working on the platform of just such a Party; stay tuned for details…
Posted by: V. Edward Martin at October 20, 2003 03:24 PM
