Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Rising Tide of Independent Voting - TOM SHAW
AIPNews.com ^ | October 30, 2009 | Tom Shaw

Posted on 10/30/2009 11:45:32 AM PDT by EternalVigilance

The news is everywhere. Voters are realizing that the current Democratic/Republican party system is no longer responsive to the voice of “We the People.” In New York, third party candidate Doug Hoffman is now leading in the polls in the special congressional election. In New Jersey, Independent Candidate Chris Daggett is taking a big bite out of his Republican and Democratic opponents. The myth that an Independent candidate can’t win, a myth that is intentionally perpetuated by the two major parties, is being dispelled.

In his farewell address, George Washington warned about the corrupting danger of political parties. His fears were well founded as today the two parties seek power for power's sake and not to represent the will of the people. The two parties and their special interest groups, although opposed to each other, will collude and cooperate together to ensure that no other voice is heard. One glaring piece of evidence of this is the “straight ticket” voting procedure. The straight ticket advantage that is gained by a Republican or Democratic candidate is designed by the party power brokers to intimidate and discourage candidates such as myself.

I encourage all voters in the upcoming 2010 elections to seek out candidates that reflect their values, regardless of party affiliation. The 2010 election is a great opportunity for voters to throw off their party shackles and send a message to all elected officials – we want representation, not party rhetoric!


Tom Shaw
Independent Candidate
Iowa House, District 8
Laurens


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: Iowa
KEYWORDS: independent; independentvote; shaw

1 posted on 10/30/2009 11:45:33 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

Been doing it for decades now.


2 posted on 10/30/2009 11:47:15 AM PDT by Just another Joe (Warning: FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Just another Joe

You’re a leader.


3 posted on 10/30/2009 11:47:54 AM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
You’re a leader.

Yeh, that's what the guy behind me with a gun told me too. ;^)

4 posted on 10/30/2009 11:52:25 AM PDT by Just another Joe (Warning: FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Just another Joe

LOL...


5 posted on 10/30/2009 11:54:44 AM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
"The two parties and their special interest groups, although opposed to each other, will collude and cooperate together to ensure that no other voice is heard."

I have long thought that the parties should be treated under the law as what they are - lobbyists. They can assemble and support and promote to their hearts content but any involvement in government itself should be prohibited or at least subject to conflict of interest and undue influence laws.

6 posted on 10/30/2009 11:58:00 AM PDT by jim macomber (Author: "Bargained for Exchange", "Art & Part", "A Grave Breach" http://www.jamesmacomber.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

If the GOP keeps pushing the conservatives to the side, they’ll eventually go the way of the Whigs.


7 posted on 10/30/2009 11:59:07 AM PDT by marron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jim macomber

Interesting concept.


8 posted on 10/30/2009 11:59:31 AM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: marron

9 posted on 10/30/2009 12:01:08 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
This is political suicide and while there is evidence the conservative candidate may win in NY, the truth is the Independent candidate in NJ is nothing more than a spoiler. He is not making a respectable showing.

We can only hope this guy is going to pull more votes from the RAT than the Republican.

Shaw is deluding himself and Democrats are cheering for him.

10 posted on 10/30/2009 12:51:41 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
We desperately need a well spoken conservative third party that fully participates in the public forum including debates.

So the Republicans recover seats? Or even regain political control. The same same same old thing, toe the party line, become a big-tent, and get re-elected; in other words, YES-men.

A third party would expose the true nature of what is going on in Washington DC, and THAT is the ONLY way things are going to recalibrate to what freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government is.

The oppression of outside parties (outside Washington DC) IS intended by both Parties. Doesn't the current NY thing graphically demonstrate that?

Is it not obvious that Communism, and Naziism, were political Parties? And they both had "open" and recurrent elections.

11 posted on 10/30/2009 1:12:29 PM PDT by jnsun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jnsun
America's Independent Party

AIP is a Meta-Party

Platform

Affiliation Agreement

The Reagan List

America's Summit

12 posted on 10/30/2009 1:17:48 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
Tom Shaw's probably going to win that seat. He's a first-rate Christian gentleman and a solid Reagan conservative. You should join Bob Vander Plaats and support him.
13 posted on 10/30/2009 1:20:38 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

The only reason the liberal Independent in NJ has any traction at all, at least any traction that should concern a Republican, is that the Republicans chose to run another Democrat. Same story, different day.


14 posted on 10/30/2009 1:22:15 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
Tom: I know your reasoning cannot be trusted. You live in a fantasy world. I don't even know if there is a Republican candidate but my question is why didn't Shaw simply run as a Republican?

If there is a real Republican running, there is no way in heck I would endorse Shaw.

By doing what he's doing he proves he cares more about his ego than doing what is right for his state. He doesn't care if he helps keep RATS in power. He only cares about his ego.

You guys can't really believe this guy in NJ is having a respectable showing. He looks like another out-of-touch moron. Again, he doesn't care if he helps elect RATS.

15 posted on 10/30/2009 1:30:24 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

Wow. You’re really twisting things.

Shaw didn’t run as a Republican because he and his constituents are sick of the way they’ve been treated by the Republican Party. What part of that do you fail to understand?


16 posted on 10/30/2009 1:32:24 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
He looks like another out-of-touch moron.

He is. In exactly the same way as the Democrat and the Republican in that particular race. Which is why we support none of them.

17 posted on 10/30/2009 1:34:12 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

What did the Republican party do to Shaw?


18 posted on 10/30/2009 1:35:12 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

Compromised his principles.


19 posted on 10/30/2009 1:37:57 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

What do you mean “we”? Are you living in NJ? Your “endorsement” means nothing.


20 posted on 10/30/2009 1:41:16 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

How did anyone compromise Shaw’s principles?


21 posted on 10/30/2009 1:42:03 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

So are the concepts of free speech and free association.


22 posted on 10/30/2009 1:42:28 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Ram "Health Care Reform" down our throats in '09, and we'll ram it up your @ss in '10.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

I’m the chairman of a national party, now the third-largest in the country, with affiliates in NJ. So, my statement was accurate.

The anti-Republican/Democrat feelings are running high in New Jersey. Very high. And the two old parties have no one to blame but themselves.


23 posted on 10/30/2009 1:46:30 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Cyber Liberty

True. But the two old parties do seem to exercise more influence than is good for any of us. Together, they enforce what amounts to a political monopoly in many, many ways.


24 posted on 10/30/2009 1:48:18 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
Tom, you're delusional. Get a real job. Does Shaw take you seriously? Do you take him seriously?

Is Shaw going to be proud of your endorsement?

Tom, you're not a stupid person, you're just not dealing in reality. Please, stop this chasing rainbows and look for a real job. Your little personal "third party" is a sham and going nowhere. Stop it!!

How many elections have you won?

25 posted on 10/30/2009 1:50:00 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
How did anyone compromise Shaw’s principles?

Ask him yourself. Come on one of our America's Summit calls and talk to him, and folks from all over the country who have experienced the same things he has. Make your case for your party.

Email me, tell me when you want to participate, and I'll see if he can show up at that time. I'm sure he will if it's at all possible.

Like anyone else, you'll be treated respectfully and given all the time you want or need.

tom@aipnews.com

America's Summit call information and times

26 posted on 10/30/2009 1:54:01 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

The two parties function best when they are bitterly opposed to each other. This “bipartisanship” business is unadulterated crap.


27 posted on 10/30/2009 1:56:52 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Ram "Health Care Reform" down our throats in '09, and we'll ram it up your @ss in '10.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

You cannot answer the question because no one tried to get him to compromise is “principles”. He’s being dishonest and I hope you feel good about electing Democrats.


28 posted on 10/30/2009 2:01:51 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
Well, let's see. Since the founding of AIP we've won a State Senate seat in a special election. One of our founding state chairman resigned, ran and won. We won a Republican congressional primary. On Tuesday we're almost certainly going to win a congressional seat in a race in which the Republicans have managed to make themselves into the "third-party." Another of our candidates is highly likely to win a state assembly seat on Tuesday. In Virginia, our people are working with conservative Republicans, since the Republicans are actually running conservatives. It's looking like together, they're going to demolish the Democrats. And so on...

And, don't forget, politics, and life, isn't just about elections, either.

As to your personal insults and gratuitous attacks? You should grow up and knock it off. All you're doing is increasing people's distaste for your party.

29 posted on 10/30/2009 2:07:09 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
You cannot answer the question because no one tried to get him to compromise is “principles”. He’s being dishonest and I hope you feel good about electing Democrats.

How would you know? If you knew anything about it you wouldn't have had to ask me.

Tom's a big boy. He can speak for himself. Do you have the guts to talk to him?

30 posted on 10/30/2009 2:08:30 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Cyber Liberty
This “bipartisanship” business is unadulterated crap.

It is, and always has been, yes.

What we need are those who are partisans only for the truth and what's right.

In the spirit of Washington's warnings to our nation in his Farewell Address.

31 posted on 10/30/2009 2:09:55 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

You were the one accusing RPI of asking Shaw to compromise his “principles”. Back it up with facts.


32 posted on 10/30/2009 2:28:32 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

No. I told you his stated reason for not running as a Republican candidate. You’ll have to find the courage to get the details from him. I’m not his spokesman.


33 posted on 10/30/2009 2:30:19 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
Are you trying to take credit for Hoffman if he wins in NY? You have to be kidding.

While you're at it why don't you take credit for King being in congress?

It's easy to piggyback off a Republican election and claim it was yours.

How much money have you contributed to Hoffman? What about the others? Who were they?

34 posted on 10/30/2009 2:31:21 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
You were the one accusing RPI of asking Shaw to compromise his “principles”. Back it up with facts.

By the way, I note your not-that-subtle twisting from my words in my original post.

35 posted on 10/30/2009 2:31:49 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

I did my part in Steve’s elections. I’m doing my part in Hoffman’s. I know that galls you, but that’s just tough.


36 posted on 10/30/2009 2:32:42 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
You accused RPI of trying to make Shaw "compromise his principles". Now back it up with facts!!

You can't because it's not true.

37 posted on 10/30/2009 2:32:54 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

Again, you twist my words. I said that the Republican Party compromised his principles.

Have they not compromised yours?


38 posted on 10/30/2009 2:34:30 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

Has the GOP compromised your principles by the choice of Dede Scozzafava, and by pouring hundreds of thousands of GOP dollars into the effort to promote her and tear down Hoffman?


39 posted on 10/30/2009 2:35:50 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
How did the Republican party compromise his principles?

Heck no, they've never compromised my principles. I'm the only one who can do that.

40 posted on 10/30/2009 2:37:05 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
This woman sounds like a real scumbag and I'm glad she'll get defeated--unless she gets defeated by the RAT and then we'd be better off with the R scumbag.

I don't know the reason why this woman was selected but it looks like the problem is being corrected.

The truth is Mr. Shaw has the primary process open to him. He must be afraid of not winning the primary. Suppose he gets to the Iowa House, is he going to caucus with RATS or the rat Republicans who really aren't good enough for him?

Will he vote for Murphy or Paulsen?

These Christian elitists are giving Christians a bad name and they're using the name of the Lord to do their work for Satan because that's what they're doing by electing RATs.

41 posted on 10/30/2009 2:44:16 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
Heck no, they've never compromised my principles. I'm the only one who can do that.

Keep telling yourself that.

42 posted on 10/30/2009 2:45:21 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
the problem is being corrected

Exactly what AIP is all about.

Which you would know if you bothered to really listen.

43 posted on 10/30/2009 2:47:14 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
These Christian elitists are giving Christians a bad name and they're using the name of the Lord to do their work for Satan because that's what they're doing by electing RATs.

The only "Christian elitists" I'm aware of are part of the GOP "leadership."

44 posted on 10/30/2009 2:48:44 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

Like who? I know of no one in the hierarchy of RPI who goes around beating their chests claiming to be a better Christian than others and then turns around and tries to get RATs elected—like you’re doing.


45 posted on 10/30/2009 2:54:06 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma (Al Franken--the face of the third-party voters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

Wow. That’s one of the largest straw men I’ve ever seen.


46 posted on 10/30/2009 2:55:48 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

How about all those Christian “leaders” who lied last year for John “Judas” McCain?


47 posted on 10/30/2009 2:56:58 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

Or took loads of money from Mitt Romney and lied for him.


48 posted on 10/30/2009 2:58:23 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (We're winning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson