Forum Post: Third Party?
Posted 12 years ago on Feb. 9, 2012, 1:31 p.m. EST by utahdebater
(-72)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Why not put OWS to good use and start a political party founded on your principles? That's the only way you'll gain real traction in politics. Recent studies have proven that when the poor advocate a policy change it's less likely to happen, but when the rich advocate a policy change it's more likely to happen. I know this one of the major problems of America and to me seems like one of OWS major points, why not found a political party off of that?
Third parties have a long way to go before they can make an impact. It would be easier to simply recruit good people and run them in primaries against incumbents without regard to party, or make a move to slowly co-opt one of the existing parties. To follow in the path of successful movements like civil rights.
It's my opinion that, unfortunately, it's not likely to happen, each occupy group is autonomous and relatively leaderless. Some say (in posts in this forum) that the system is beyond hope and believe it will fall leaving them to construct a libertarian-socialist system with direct democracy. That is a vision that requires conditions to get a lot worse then they are to have a chance at success.
I think a party could help focus the group, just as the tea party focused a group and had a heavy sway for republican candidates. At best, the OWS party may only have as much sway towards one candidate that is running under our two party system, but it can greatly influence the vote. Of course there is already a constitution party, which Dr Ron Paul has been running under for a couple of president terms now, and he rarely got more than a couple percentage of the votes.
Having said that however, if the OWS party could receive more votes than the republican, or the democratic party, (which hasn't happened since Abraham Lincoln) that would truly be a turning point in our country.
One unfortunate thing to consider is that if alot of people do not come on board to a new party, the end result could be just a dilution to one of the other two parties (usually republican) and then another democratic bozo gets in again. case in point obama, " change we can beleive in" I cant believe this people fell for another political slogan. If you got a change, lets see the details before you get elected. but even mitt romney is gloating, "im going to take a serious look at cutting back spending" shesh, I could tell him what exactly to cut back, and im not even trying to become a leader.
Which leads me to beleive that the general public can do a better job as president than any of the rich tycoons we have been electing.
Since among the founding principles of OWS is that it is antipolitical, that it is not a political movement but a social movement for OWS to organize itself as a political party (especially in the American sense) would seem to be an oxymoron.
OWS has become pretty political recently. And one of their main issues is with money in politics. That's pretty political, and besides, social movements in today's world quickly become political, especially in a democracy.
In what sense has OWS "become pretty political recently?" What specifically political resolutions has any GA passed recently or what specifically political actions has any GA taken recently? I do not mean to suggest that no GA has taken any specific politcal position or political action, only that I am unaware of any and would be most interested to hear of any.
Well I more meant that the movement itself has become political in nature. Not necessarily that they're involved in politics or anything like that.
To the extent that the grievances of the movement stand opposed to the political establishment, in only the broadest sense might it be considered political, but given that these are mere grievances and are very specifically NOT demands the movement is not political but rather anti-political in the sense that it makes no demands on the state nor does it offer any state based solutions.
The problem is that American political movements that become their own party tend to fall very quickly into a sort of ghetto in which they lose day-to-day relevance (and often almost all political power). The only time we've ever had an independent candidate who actually looked like he had a real shot at the presidency was in 1992 with Ross Perot; more often third parties become sources of comic relief in presidential elections and barely if ever manage to get anyone into either house of Congress (giving them no political power whatsoever on the national level).
The path to power is through the primaries, and the sooner we see that the better. It might be possible to do something over spring and summer 2012 to change things, but if this does get off the ground it'll most likely have the most impact in 2014 and 2016 (because we have well over two years before the former and even longer before the latter, and that's enough time to really get to work. Here's a longer, more articulate post I wrote on the matter:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/what-is-our-plan-of-action/#comment-611656
When OWS gets a Real Leader. We will be unstoppable. Solidarity!
the green party runs fairly close
A good idea, but hard to implement in the monopolized two party system. I think with the right generation fueling it with the right numbers it could work. The baby boomers are going to be hard to beat, so prepare for a upward battle.
I dunno, there's been plenty of instances throughout history where third parties have gained significant traction very quickly, it can happen when an issue is divisive enough or the current parties are seen as too polarized. I think it could get going pretty quickly given the organization and leadership. And this is coming from someone who can't stand OWS.
You could be right. I hope you are.
I hope OWS stays out of partisan politics, including forming their own party. The country has become so divided by party lines that OWS is a place we can come together acknowledging our common interests without party divisions.
because we are not followers... we are individuals ... we have no leaders ... we want no leaders... we are made up of everyone ... who wants prosperity & freedom for All .... we are Independent ... together we are force to be reckoned with... as long as no one or no party can control us ... we want our freedom