A little bit about the competition, (Libertarian Party) and some other items

Okay so I talk about the Progressive Conservative party like it exists sometimes, but the Libertarian Party does exist. And surprisingly I haven't talked much about it. I have bragged for years and on this blog that I haven't voted for Democrats or Republicans since 1980, so who have I been voting for?

Well over the years I have voted for many Libertarian candidates (national and state level) so I guess it is time to talk about them. I have voted for many independents and even some Green Party candidates even though they are ultra liberal. I am a big supporter of alternative energy so every now and then when the pickings are slim I will vote Green just to support the alternative energy agenda. It amazes me that conservatives and pro business people haven't realized the potential for alternative energy, or at least the mainstream conservatives and businesses. So I get stuck voting way more liberal than I truly believe every now and then. ( and this is part of the Libertarian Party problem which I will discuss in a moment).

So why now, well I put my first short story on Smashwords so every now and then I read some of the other material that gets published. I have to admit I am astonished at how much does get published. Many are short pieces of work, both fiction and non fiction, but there is a whole world out there writing away. Actually bodes well for humanity if you ask me. For my work, I am working on a better edited version with some help now. That is wrapping up. I am not trying to change the story, just clean up some of the choppiness and mistakes. You can read 25% for free which turns out where most of the problems are. I have to brag, many people who have read the whole story say it smooths out as it goes along and like the story. I am struggling with creating a better cover that meets the criteria for Smashwords premium catalog so that is causing some of the delay of getting a better version uploaded. And I am going to write a blog piece on what prompted me to finish that simple story first. Actually I thought that was going to be my next post, but the book on the Libertarian Party I glanced at tonight prompted this post which I will now begin.

The book is written by George Phillies, who identifies himself as a former State Chair for the Libertarian party, talks about what is causing the failure of the Libertarian party and his proposals to fix the Party. The book itself seems a bit rushed. I guess like me he wants to get something out, but he does have more of an action purpose. He talks mainly about the infighting that is going on inside the party; which may not be the best way to sell the Party as a viable alternative to the Democrats and the Republicans. He proposes that the time should be ripe for the Libertarian Party to come to the forefront Nationally. His discussion on why it is ripe for a potential third party to become a major party I think is very good. He uses a "SWOT" discussion of what is going on with the Party and the opportunity section has some really good points.

He spends a good deal amount of time in the first 20% (the free download portion) talking about the infighting among the national board. And he includes some charts that at first glance are a bit confusing or disjointed. You can decipher them with the help of his prose, but still doesn't help his cause to spend so much time talking about dirty laundry. I know he is using it as part of his spring board to present his change. Again I think he is hurting his chances and the party though with too much of this discussion.

Obviously I didn't read it all so I don't know how he plans to change the party, but it did make me think about what are some of the general problems facing a so called third party trying to become a major party.

One of course is money. The two dominant parties both are well supplied with cash from their core and from corporations. Most corporations play both sides just to make sure they get what they want.

I should probably finish the book because I am curious if he discusses what is another problem facing non major parties and that is the Republicans and Democrats have issues they can use to galvanize their core. These two parties sit on opposite sides of some very emotional issues. And this helps them as much as the money lock up and in some ways even a bit more. These bring out the voters which is how they stay in power. Two example issues are the pro life/pro choice debate and immigration. These are serious hot button issues that a third party has to find ways to pull core out of either party to get any action from the voters. And since the two parties sit on the opposite side of these issues there isn't much room to find ways to break this juggernaut.

And it doesn't matter if you have a whole host of rational ideas for most of our country's problems, if you cannot get into these debates (with hopefully some rational solutions) you will have a hard time finding or motivating enough voters to break through. Yes, there is growing number of people claiming to be independent, but they still get dragged into these debates because they are so charged with emotion. And so they drift back into voting for the side they believe in which is either Democrat or Republican. A non major party has to fight its way through the debate to reach these independent voters and let them know that there are potential alternatives.

This is also a problem for the Libertarian Party and I don't know if they get that. They sit on the extreme sides of the Republican and Democrat party ideology so they have an even harder time trying to find a consensus group to support them. Under their idea of Libertarianism they support small government, less invasive, lower taxes, self reliance (Republican) and take the extreme on social issues, legalize pot, gay marriage etc (Democrat/Green Party) so even if Mr. Phillies is right and right now is an opportune time for a non major party to step up, the Libertarian party fails to realize they split their potential support or are unable to rectify these two groups.

So because they have this support problem, ie can they create a large portion of the population into a social liberal, fiscal and government conservative party, the Libertarian Party will continue to struggle. I did use the word create on purpose because they have to create this group. It is not a natural political group within the United States over the last forty years that they have been trying to take root.

Any potential non major party needs to fall either into a conservative agenda across the board or liberal agenda across the board. I think the Green party has managed to find true ultra liberal roots and could actually invade into the Democrat sphere, but they are hard up against the money lock up and the fact the democrats aren't as liberal so they can hold onto the people that tend to lean towards the center. Bascially the democrats have the money and the votes.

The Libertarians, I think, basically call themselves a conservative party, but as discussed above they lose too many people with the social issues. Yes it is truly conservative to talk about individual rights, very much a conservative point, but the social issues are too charged to hold any Republican conservative's attention to change parties. So the Libertarians cannot make the in roads the Green Party has the potential.

The reality is though I think Mr. Phillies is right and many independents want something different. The task at hand to break through is daunting. First money is paramount, second voters, and third, which wins points one and two over, is the message. You have to identify your message that sounds different than the two parties and with both sitting, at least in appearance, as opposing parties, where does a third side come from. One of the opportunities Mr Phillies stresses is that the Republicans are moving much farther to the right than most Americans. There will always be extreme liberals and hard core right wingers, now there is a growing gap between the center and the right that is not being addressed. Some voters jump on the hot buttons, but many are wanting more rational answers to these questions. Neither the Democrats or Republicans are meeting this demand. Unfortunately because of the mixed message the Libertarians send out, they probably won't be able to step in and claim the middle and middle right audience. Historically, once referenced as the silent majority. So who can step up? As you might guess I am one of the people Mr. Phillies is talking about. I want something new. I talk about the Progressive Conservative party, but putting into play is a different animal. The opportunity is out there if you can stand out in the hot button issues and get people to listen to you.

I read Helen Thomas passed away. The CNN posts became a very heated and ugly rant on anti-Semitism, pro Israel, and just craziness. I threw in a odd ball post just to mix things up, but overall the hatred and animosity was a bit much especially since it was suppose to be about her. Yes I get she made some comments at the end of her life she may have held for years,but overall I think most of us remember her on TV being the journalist that didn't back down from any President. It was always fun to watch President Reagan give her the first question etc. Bit of male chauvinism at her, but always fun. I think also he wanted to get her over with first to end on a better note. In general you have to remember sometimes you can disagree with someone and still respect them. Maybe I missed something over the years, but sheesh it was ugly tonight.

And for you sports fans, things will heat up soon. We still have the dog days of summer to finish, but come September we have football and the Baseball pennant race finalizing, and then the playoffs.

It is hot and muggy here in Texas tonight, been getting a bit more rain this year than the last few which is good, but the humidity can be a bit stifling.

Have a good rest of your weekend and soon will come my discussion on a world problem that the Red Chair shows how it should be.