Third Party Rumblings

Photo of John Danforth, from source, Washington Post

I think a third (or fourth, or fifth) party is a terrific idea. Republicans are already having to practice cognitive dissonance because of the social/fiscal conservative split. Democrats are a little less divided, but have always been like hearding cats, being somewhat less lock-steppy.

As much as the Limbaughs of the world like to paint Democrats as "the left," we're really not so much. Left of center, sure, but Democrats rarely equal arch-conservatives in their extremism or fervor. I'm sure there are rabid leftists out there, but they don't have their own party. Perhaps they should.

Maybe the Republicans should split into Theocrats, Fiscalites, and Crazy-ass parties. Democrats could become Atheocrats, Moonbats and Freesexites. Anyone who doesn't fit into one of those categories can make their own. But not now.

Why not now? Because the groundwork has not been laid. If there is ever going to be a viable third party in this country, they need to be started from the ground up. City Councils, Assemblies, and the proverbial Dog Catcher elections must be included first. Make a name for yourself!

Instead, new parties try to go for the whole enchilada right up front. And what does it get us? For you righties, you can lament that Ross Perot helped net us 8 years of Clinton (so far). For my side of the aisle, it can surely be argued that Ralph Nader at least helped facilitate 8 hideous years of The Decider.

So, third parties: if all you want to do is be a spoiler, fine. Just say so.

[Excerpt]

Bipartisan Group Eyes Independent Bid

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a potential independent candidate for president, has scheduled a meeting next week with a dozen leading Democrats and Republicans, who will join him in challenging the major-party contenders to spell out their plans for forming a "government of national unity" to end the gridlock in Washington. . .

Read more at: Washington Post