Joyce L. Arnold: Liberal, lesbian, Independent, equality activist, writer.
Not that it was needed, but the Great Debt Ceiling Faux Crisis of 2011 provided yet another example of the failures and dangers of the Two Party Front for the Oligarchy. Vastleft, writing last week at Corrente, provides one conclusion: “In the blessed spirit of the unfettered marketplace … isn’t it time that the Republican and Democratic parties merged?”
In last week’s post I presented a bit of context and background regarding the need for challenging and breaking the institutionalized power of Democratic and Republican control in elections and in governance, though I primarily focus on the Left side of things. Comments, and a fair number of email exchanges, reinforced what I’m thinking: more people are joining, or at least listening to, those who are creating and building ways to work toward challenging and changing our failed two party system. I’ll repeat what I said before: I have no illusions about how difficult a task this is. But I also think it’s essential.
There are, of course, those who argue that the changes need to be made from within the Democratic Party. I respect that view, and power to everyone working at that. What I find troubling are the familiar arguments which generally seem to come down to: any and all efforts toward challenging and breaking the two party stranglehold on our nation are foolish and will only help the even more evil Republicans.
Here’s the thing, and it’s the reality recognized by, I’d guess, most who work outside, and inside, the duopoly: Serious efforts to break the two party stronghold Is. Very. Hard. Slow. Long-term. Work. It’s much bigger than Obama, as it was much bigger than W. It’s about much more than 2012. Or 2014 or 2016. The current political moment in the U.S. – created by both parties – is one of those times when more people look around for options. Or at least talk about wanting them. But anyone seriously involved in any of the multiple efforts – some of which have been around for years, some newly created – will know that to make fundamental changes to the entrenched two party system will take lots of time and lots of work. And there’s that big, glaring need for money.
There are no quick fixes. There can be short and effective bursts of activity – Tea Party. Ross Perot. Ralph Nader. Ted Kennedy. To change the perspective a bit, but still in the “how to change things” mode: The Suffragette Movement. The Civil Rights Movement. The Anti-War Movement. The Black Power Movement. The Chicano Movement. The Labor Movement. Agree or disagree with the goals of any of these, they made things happen. Some changes were of the more or less permanent nature, some not. But they didn’t do it by listening to people who told them it was impossible. In reality, of course, such efforts include set-backs, disappointments, and yes, failures. The work may not be nearly as much fun, and it certainly isn’t as sporadic and short-term, as cheering a Personality in Chief. Or for that matter, not nearly as easy as criticizing the “more evil” opposition.
Last week I listed several organizations and campaigns, some of the “third party” type, some more focused on reforming the Democratic Party. In comments, a few other suggestions were offered, and I have no doubt there are all kinds of other efforts going on, including at local and state levels, about which I know nothing.
After reading your thoughts, both here and elsewhere, I decided that instead of turning to look more specifically at some of the various projects and organizations in this post, it would be helpful to expand the reading list, so to speak. Plus, and very importantly, I wanted to invite / encourage you to join the effort. Rather than this series of posts only being about what I’m thinking and seeing, I’d love it if we continue what started with last week’s post – turn this into a way to share ideas, questions, discoveries, etc. There is no such thing as “The Answer,” of course, although from my perspective, “work together” seems an essential element.
In addition to sharing your thoughts and ideas in the Comments, Taylor has so graciously provided “In the News,” a blog for TM readers and commenters. If you haven’t, check it out in the right hand column. Among other possibilities, it’s an excellent place to expand on the organizations, campaigns, projects and whatever, in which you are involved, or are exploring.
I’d really like to know what you’re thinking and doing.
So for now, I’ll add some new links, as well as repeat last week’s list. Once again I stress these are only a selection, and I am primarily focusing on the Left.
My related posts:
Grading the Electoral College
Two Parties = Too Few Choices
Articles and Opinions
3rd Parties: What They’re For and What They Do, Rick Gaber
Directory of U.S. Political Parties
Primary Realities, spincitysd
“What is the history of ‘third parties’ in the United States?,” This Nation
“Why Third Parties?,” Robert Longley
Political Parties
Green Party, U.S.A.
Libertarian Party
New Progressive Alliance. (Thanks to a comment from noalternative last week). More at Firedoglake.
Working Families Party
Previously listed
Americans Elect
Coffee Party
Fair Vote
Independent Voting.org
No Labels
October 2011
Tequila Party
The Centrist Alliance
Votocracy
( Photo viaWatchingFrogsBoil )
I think that Adam Green and the PCCC have tremendous potential to be players to be reckoned with in the progressive community and the Dem Party on a national level.
For my money I like their model and operating style.
If The Wisconsin recalls are successful, and Dems take back the state senate, then Adam Green and the PCCC ,with DFA, two of the progressive organizations spearheading and working on that effort, move up substantially as progressive organizations to be reckoned within the Dem Party. They will have done what the National Dem Party couldn’t do or was afraid to do, get involved in Wisconsin.. It will also mean that establishment Dems and the Dem Party will be scared and frightened out their minds, and I would expect that the establishment Dems will try to marginalize the PCCC and DFA. Adam Green and the PCCC have been phenomenal in the Wisconsin recalls.
For me what the PCCC is doing is what should be done , move the Dem Party from the outside, challenge them and embarrass them if need be. For me the next step is for the PCCC to either start supporting primary challenges to sitting Dems ( I think they have already done that in the Blanche Lincoln Bill Halter Senate race) or outright forming a third party. In any event the only way to effect change is to make the establishment pay a political and electoral price for not supporting liberal/left/progressive issues. It’s about power-if establishment Dems start losing power they will by necessity have to move and join forces with those that are taking power from them or causing them to lose power.
My suggestion/hope is to start challenging some “progressive heros” who are as effective as a newborns. Picking off ConservaDems is one thing, but picking off loser progressives will really cause a stir. That will get them motivated to fight hard and play to win not cave at the end in some form of bi-partisan bs where Dem and progressive issues loseout.
I stopped contributing to the campaign committees long ago, and focus on individual candidates. Since the Wisconsin recalls I’ve contributed when I can to those efforts (I’m not a resident of Wisconsin I live in NYC)
Thanks so much for your thoughts, and for the information about PPPC
(http://boldprogressives.org/home) and Democracy for America (http://www.democracyforamerica.com/).
The work at state and local levels, as in Wisconsin, seems an essential element to me. Among other reasons, people are often more likely to get involved, and even stay involved, when they can clearly see the connection between what their local and state Electeds are doing and their own lives.
And challenging the “progressive heroes” to think and act and vote like progressives … accountability is key.
I’ve identified as liberal and independent for quite some time, which generally means I have to look beyond the Dem party for candidates. I do think, thought, that challenges from within are also important. I just couldn’t stand doing it that way any more
Adam Green is indeed a tireless champion intending to shake the rafters.
Joyce, great stuff & important to mine. I so appreciate the research you’re doing on this!
This and the previous article were both good ones, Joyce. Sorry to not have commented earlier, but at this point I can’t think of much helpful to say. I’m trying to figure out what to do.
What I’m seeing is that among liberals, there doesn’t seem to be anywhere near as much dissatisfaction with Obama as there ought to be. The guy has done virtually the same things they were howling about when George W. Bush was doing them, but now they’re apparently OK. Obama still enjoys 70+ percent favorability ratings among liberals, and the last DKos poll I saw said that people who think they’re “very liberal” are even more supportive.
Until this changes, I don’t see how either a primary challenge or a third party is going to be successful. Progressives should be spitting mad right now, and they don’t seem to be more than mildly annoyed.
So how do we make that happen?
Hey cujo, thanks for adding your thoughts.
“how do we make that happen?” — that is an essential question. I’ve seen the polling numbers, too, and clearly lots of people, liberals and progressives, continue to rate Obama favorably.Nothing remotely original about this, but my guess is that at least in part those favorables are as much about the Tea Party influenced Republican Party. By comparison, Obama can look “favorable.”
Seeing so much happening on the progressive / liberal side of things is encouraging. But of course, unless there is significant cooperation, and/or unless one or two of the various groups grow to a “critical mass” level, the power to change things is weakened.