Sunday, January 3, 2021

Prospects for a new party

 Via David

 U.S. Democracy Needs a Multiparty System to Survive

Dear friends, I have a confession to make. I am open-minded. When presented with new evidence, I am willing to change my mind.

Up until a few days ago, I was ready to write the definitive post on why MAGA patriots should not create a new party. Today I am not so sure.

The argument against a new party is empirical. No third party has won a state in a presidential election since 1968 (American Independent Party), and before that 1948 (States Rights Party). The largest popular vote share for a third party in recent years was won by Ross Perot in 1992, at about 19%, but he won no electoral votes.

The structure of the political spectrum was expressed most memorably by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He said that there are always two political parties: the party of hope, and the party of memory. That is a nice mnemonic to cut across the politics of most countries.

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10 comments:

  1. We certainly ain't getting our monies worth out of the two corrupt ones we have... People are pissed and that will translate to a change.

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  2. It has been only since 1980 that I have been paying attention to U.S. politics. There may be a time I am unaware of when there was a larger percentage of Americans equally or more fed up with politicians than now.

    I doubt even 1968 was a time such as now. One reason is that in that year it was the radicals, the extremists who were fed up. Today it is not only the fringe but the center core of American society which is chomping at the bit to go punch some politicians.

    So, even though we look to our history as a guide, it is rather disingenuous to compare those times with now. However, we are not in uncharted territory. Instead, lets drop the pretense of civility as impediment ('that is not who we are' GAH!) and get on like it's 1775. Because what we now face, and that which must be done, has been done before.

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    1. Instead, lets drop the pretense of civility as impediment ('that is not who we are' GAH!) and get on like it's 1775. Because what we now face, and that which must be done, has been done before.

      Well said.

      Delete
  3. Poppycock. The answer is to take over the Republican party. If you can't swing enough votes to command your own party, you are delusional thinking you can win majorities in a new party. Trump showed us how. Kick out the rinos.

    --generic

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    1. If you can't swing enough votes to command your own party, you are delusional thinking you can win majorities in a new party.

      Probably so.

      Delete