Posted on 09/15/2013 4:50:36 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
During the pre-Palin days of the Tea Party Movement, the idea of a conservative third party was often discussed. Since the Tampa Purge of 2012, many have revisited this idea, most recently Judson Phillips of Tea Party Nation.
A third party dedicated only to freedom and limited government has been attempted several times, and we do have the Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party, though like the Green Party, they have been restricted to local politics, and often lack ballot access.
This period of American history is marked by a large, oppressive, and violent federal government. We have many factions within the Republican Party that are fighting each other to gain more control over the others.
(VIDEO-AT-LINK)
The Republican Primary of 2012, possibly the most bizarre primary election in the history of the United States, featured deliberately ignored districts, intimidation and blackmail of delegates, physical assault against delegates, "secret caucuses", fraudulently detoured transportation, obvious plants in presidential campaigns, strangely dismissed court cases, and much more horrible things we will probably never know. In addition, our elected delegates in future primaries and caucuses can now be replaced, at any time, by the Republican National Committee.
As a result, many are again questioning whether we are better off in a third party than fighting at all. Neocons want nothing to do with anyone who won't obey them to the grave, and this includes all free-market libertarians, religious conservatives, and all similar groups that find common ground in the Tea Party Movement.
Starting a Third Tea Party is a very bad idea, and will cause freedom to dissipate and die into a medieval America built on endless wars, dumbed-down schools, illegal immigration, and socialist national health care.
(VIDEO-AT-LINK)
However, it does not have to be a bad idea. Many state and county divisions of the Republican Party are increasingly frustrated in their fight against the neocons. By having their own "secret meetings", it would be very easy for entire state parties to "secede" from the national Republican Party and form a Third Tea Party.
With entire states and counties gone, the Republican Party loses its presence. Neocons then have to spend the money not on weapons and wars, but on rebuilding the Republican Party - money, manpower, lobbying, propaganda, and more. For their presence has just vanished from a state with only two parties on the ballot: the Democratic Party and the Third Tea Party. If the Republican Party is not successfully re-created in that state, there will be no possible Republican vote from that state in any national election.
Unlike, say, a state Libertarian Party struggling to stay on the ballot, the Third Tea Party will already be on the ballot, and have most or all of the funding, politicians, lobbyists, votes, and resources the state Republican Party used to have.
A Third Tea Party would have no room for the neocons who attempted to destroy it. The only financially viable option for the neocons would be to bail and join the party of Big Government, that is, the Democratic Party. From then on, there would be a new two party system - the Tea Party, which would support freedom, and the Democratic Party, which does not.
It is dangerous for the Tea Party to attempt to start a new party. It would be divisive, devastating, and throw America to the wolves. It is possible, however, for liberty-minded states and their Republican Parties to "secede" from the national party. Either way, all those involved in politics must remember that America is not built on the Republican or Democratic Parties, but on the Constitution.
A viable third conservative party would quickly change into a two party system.
Bump.
I am ALL for this idea.
It's the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party.
History tells us that the Whig Party dissolved, and that most former Whigs became Republicans. Could something like that happen today? But if it happened, realistically would this Tea Party have a shot at electing a president in 2016, and also elect senators, congressman, and governors? Or would the Tea Party split the vote with the remnants of the Republican party, and guarantee Democrat victories????
An attempt to split the GOP just means more donkeys will be elected. Stop it.
We don't need a central organization to do this. Everyone who is interested can try to get elected as committeeman in your precinct. If the post is vacant, ask to be appointed.
What are you waiting for?
As tempting as it is to agree with you, I have no doubt that even now it might be too late to even try for a third party. Not for any of the reasons you give but because the idea of anything conservative has become problematic because of the media. They do seem to have control and as such can and will prevent any conservative collation.
If not now..when? Do you really think it will be getting better in the future?
Too little and too late I’d think... The only thing that will change the direction now is something much more direct and active. Maybe a look to the past is the answer. A bit like football these days...you either go all out and destroy the opposition or you lose.
We are and have been a losing football team the last few decades and have little change of winning on the merits even though the merits are the best and true. I do like your ideals though.
In the end, the only possible win is the overthrow of both parties and a come to grips with the hard answers needed to continue as a democratic country - emphasis on democratic.
Myself, I have little hope for change at this point...
At the rate it’s going, I don’t think the Republican Party has a chance in 2016 anyhow.
Sounds good on the face of it.
Of course the Romney Republicans at the RNC are now using an iron fist to enforce their will. The phony “convention” in Tampa was just the beginning.
Just read today that they’re now “embedding” national staffers in the state parties.
So, good luck.
Ah, and if they win just what do you expect them to do that is anything different that the Democrats do now? Have you not yet realized that until major things happen that all changes are minor at best or impossible at the worst.
I would say from the outset. We will start this party, but we plan to lose the first 3 election cycles, straight out. But show people the stats of where the movement is going. Like a tidal wave that builds beneath the ocean. Let it get the momentum to where it completely devastates the political landscape. Set peoples expectations correctly and they will follow. Remember you will be fighting 2 parties at that point.
I'd be very interested to see a truly conservative party started. Because the GOP ain't conservative.
/johnny
Ah, and that is the difference! We have politicians that pursue election by party but that has little to do with their beliefs. They are a bunch of party folks controlled by their particular party and will not go against the grain due to money and influence. Pray for better...ha.
We have some pursuing election with beliefs but have no connection to a party (or money) and they will not ever be elected.
We have a media that will promote only those that they deem worthy of being elected. They of course control the narrative.
Now you want to elect a Conservative to office - just who do you contact for that? Sorry, one or two among the crowd will not change things.
I’m not sure if this is 100% on topic or not, but I’ll throw it out there.
Recently I joined facebook and as a result linked up with some old friends of friends, several of whom are quite lefty. This is OK since I am not going to facebook for politics, for that I come here.
But my point it this: on several occasions I’ve seen the same, let’s say “meme” posted by both my most ardent Tea Party friends and my most Lefty friends.
Some areas of common ground seem to be:
Police brutality (to use that old phrase)
Over-privileging of the elected/elite
General over-reach by the gov’t, property rights, etc.
Freedom of speech, religion, association, etc. not just here but in other lands.
Muslim abuse of women and girls.
This is just of the top of my head, I didn’t go and fact check it or anything.
Of course there are HUGE areas of disagreement, most prominently, I imagine abortion and other “social” issues.
But it’s been amusing to me when I get a post from a friend who often posts from “i hate the tea party” (or somesuch) and later that day get the exact same thing from my other friend who actually runs our local tea party. (I don’t know if either of my friends would find it amusing but I do.)
You see from my examples that I’m not talking humor posts or kitty/puppy posts. (But on the kitty/puppy angle, I’d advise any candidate for office to include those cuties in as much campaign advertising as they thing they can get away with!)
So it seems to me that there are some important subjects where politically aware people across the spectrum feel their concerns are not being addressed by the 2 predominant parties. And their misgivings are well placed, imho.
I think that eventually some group/person will come along to address these concerns; I think it is something to “get out in front of” as the saying goes.
/johnny
It’s not a matter of giving up but maybe facing reality and trying something different! Seems that to many here keep trying the same old fix and don’t consider that it is NOT working.
/johnny
How long was that period?
I think the tea party largely emerged from the Palin candidacy, partly because she came out of election day fighting, leading, and refusing to be beaten by the media, She was helping candidates get elected within weeks of the 2008 election.
I watched those months as they emboldened other conservatives and politicians to start speaking more confidently, her public boldness and daring and remaining unbeaten created hope among conservatives nationally which contributed to an eagerness to rally to the tea party as an organization.
At the least, the timing was fortuitous.
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.