How much of this is being argued on the interest of the people? How much of it is part of this relentless, never-ending jockeying for power.
WARNING LONG THREAD--- so if you don't like it, don't read. You've been warned so don't complain later.
I don't want to go to where I was showering this morning...but my mind went into visioning mode again as purified and warmed river water hit my head and fell to the tub and swirled back to the river.
I was wondering what it would take to field a group of 536 people -- 435 reps.; 100 senators; and one president. (Yes I know that not all 100 senators are up for reelection in 2012).
Still I was thinking if there could be this peoples' movement...where there was one person ready to serve from each district.
What would it cost to market each individual candidate?
How many election cycles would it take to gain seats in congress and eventually wrest away the power from the Dems and GOP?
Now I know the Green Party has tried to do this and with limited success.
Does power corrupt too much, regardless of who is in there?
Or with the right wheels of motivation, can a third party rise up?
Whether you lean right or left - I would imagine that most mainstream Americans are not attached to any one party. Obviously there has to be swing voters or we would always have the same party in power.
I don't take much stock in what I hear from others, because obviously I can't take in a cross section that represents the whole country....but people are basically tired. In 2010, they were tired of Obama -- but these days they are still tired of Obama and Congress as well. At least that's my read. If I read or watched more pundits, I could get a bettter read...but I'm tired of them as well.
My personal opinion on the matter...
A third party can rise up if....
1. Significant funds are raised...using a Populist 'plain folks' appeal.
2. A few candidates get elected in 2012...and stick to their principles, ignoring polls and using a 'people-centered' approach.
3. Disavowing any connections whatsoever from special interests, and corporate interests.
4. Commercials and ads reflect frustration with the same old bickering.
Positions are not based on a liberal or conservative ideology or any philosophical mindset --
This could possibly be achieved by an AMERICA FIRST approach.
If I were to run as a member of this new party... I would likely pledge a real examination of domestic affairs and meddle less and less in foreign affairs until our budget is balanced, our debt is significantly reduced, and our infrastructure is up-to-date.
I would enact a 'Buy America First' trade policy... so that it is lucrative to buy American... either by raising tarrifs on imports, or give incentives to lower prices on USA made items....hopefully that spurs job creation and production.
I would at least reform the health care system. Pipe dreams of state provided health care have to wait until we're on better financial footing. Still, we can seek to reform the medical system and make it less expensive...and that would in turn lower the cost of Medicare and other benefit programs.
Welfare -- pass a drug test...prove your need..and receive food rations...not parity brand-name products. Me and Metal were going to work on the system so it still has a heart and compassion, but it weeds out all leeches and abusers.
Taxes -- We need to go on a "10-year fast". 25% for everyone above $100,000 and 10% for everyone from $25,000-$100,000 a year...and every state may collect up to 5%. Corporations must pay their taxes! We bring spending down to a minimum on EVERYTHING, including some of our foreign policy initiatives .. to the best of our ability. We balance our budgets...we get our states in healthy financial shape. We find ways to aid municipalities in their struggles.
The biggest new spending would be internal improvements, but it will come from reforms in health care, and savings from military spending. Humanitarian aid will continue, but we try at all possible to stay out of political and military affairs.
We will still have a well trained Force..but we will try to stay out of peoples' affairs the best we can...so we can rebuild our own system.
Secure our borders and have an account of all who are here. Those who have worked hard and have no otherwise criminal record can receive a path to be tax paying workers. (I didn't say citizenship..I said permit to remain and work and pay taxes.) This not only protects us as a nation, but it protects the workers. One felony or a string of misdemeanor convictions...and it's adios time.
Reform the banking and credit lending system......
After 10 years...we proceed cautiously. Once we have rebuilt ourselves from the inside....we can see how we can move from there.
I think candidates who would have such an agenda would have to be free of corporate influence.
It's an agenda that's neither conservative nor liberal. It's really based on the interest of the people and the interest of improving domestic affairs.
We budget so much each year for humanitarian aid..and once it runs out, it runs out...but we still don't turn our backs on the most dire of situations.
I am confident with a well-run political organization and media campaign...stressing the frustration with out of touch democrats and gop...
on July 26, 2011, 8:58 am