Until we can actually change our political system into a functioning democratic system, it seems we are stuck with a two party, representative system. I won’t get into the history of how this two party system was actually set up to limit direct democratic participation of the public. What I would like to talk about is our current opportunity to make a meaningful change in the political dialogue. I assume that most observers are aware of the current implosion of the Republican party (thank you Dick Cheney & Rush Limbaugh!). I would also like to hope that most can see that our supposed ‘Democratic party’ is continuing to reveal its true loyalty to its main constituency, corporate interests (for more details click here). This can be seen, among other things, in the failure to challenge the health insurance industry and the massive corporate welfare system that is continued through an economic stimulus package which provides direct tax-payer payment to corporate interests. This continued acceptance of a corporate centered neoliberal agenda makes the mere name of the Democratic party a complete farce!
So what do we do given our current two party system? It seems the logical choice would be to recognize the Democrats continued move to the right and their allegiance to corporate interests as an opportunity to establish a new truly democratic peoples party as the Republicans continue their drift into irrelevance. With the recognition that a large majority of the electorate identify as independent (including those like myself who only register democratic to be able to vote in primary elections) and with an increasing awareness among party loyalists that there parties really don’t care about their interests beyond election rhetoric, I believe we have a historic opportunity to move this country in the direction towards true democracy! While I believe efforts such as the Green Party, The Rainbow Coalition and other socially conscious, people centered political movements show promise, I think a new party would be the best way to get past baggage and negative associations from these efforts (though hopefully some of these remaining groups would endorse and participate in the forming of such a party). This type of party would have to be a grassroots, peoples movement with guidelines to banish corporate influence. Perhaps the party itself could institute some sort of participatory/coalition type structure to allow more democracy to sneak into our limited two party system. The party would also have to set up a strong independent media network to counter the influence of the corporate media.
How refreshing it would be to go to an election without the feeling of choosing between the lesser of two evils (or to slowly have one’s hopes fade after the inspirational election promises disappear one by one)! Even if it does not immediately succeed, it would force the Democrats to truly consider the idea of democracy and the interests of the citizens of the US. I believe this is our best opportunity for Hope and a real “Yes We Can”!
Tom, I agree with the idea of a new party, for what its worth, a whole new party system would be nice. What I would like know is, assuming the new grass roots movement with its own independent media network becomes more popular successful, how does it avoid corruption. I’m only half joking when I ask, how will you prevent it from turning into a Republican/Fox News monster?
Jonathan, I agree that a more democratic system would be an improvement rather than our current, one dimensional, bipolar, winner-take-all system. In my opinion a participatory system where citizens were actually allowed to vote on issues rather than vote for representatives would be much more democratic. Nothing like this exists nationally, but we do have the ballot initiatives/amendment process in many states and local elections. A parliamentary system as they have in most European countries allows for minority opinions to have a seat at the table and probably explains why they are able to have things like universal health care. Even a proposed instant runoff system where voters were allowed to provide second choices in case no one in the election won at least 50% of the vote would help. This would allow people to at least vote their conscious and then their second pick could always be the lesser of to evils. However, as none of these democratic ideas are likely to happen any time soon, we are stuck with the two party system (and of course non-violent protest, which is really where all our true democratic change has happened in this country).
As for accountability and media concerns, this is a major concern as the current system is design to obscure accountability and encourage corporate influence. A new party would have to be specifically designed with a power structure that emanates from the bottom up, rather than the top down. The power would have to be with the people! Also, despite what the Supreme Court has ruled, corporations are not people and would have to be excluded from having any power in this new party. Not that party members would be banned from having business connections or stock ownership. In fact I would hope this would be a party that would be more friendly to small, locally owned businesses than either of our current parties which only provide lip service to such interests.
In my opinion, if you truly believe in Democracy, you believe that people are capable of making decisions about the things that affect their lives. Of course this always works best at a local face to face level. However, if you ask most current politicians, I think you will find they are paternal and do not trust the “ignorant masses”. This has always been their excuse for containing democracy. I should also say, that while I do not always agree with the decisions of the Supreme Court, I do think it is vital that we have an independent judiciary system to uphold our constitutional rights! In my opinion, this innovation is a asset to civilization that must be defended.
Tom: I don’t agree that the “mere name of the Democratic party a complete farce..” I see where you are coming from and I understand your frustration. We continue to see two parties dominate because those two parties understand how to work within the framework that currently exisits. Corporate interests are not going away and neither are the people who want to change the focus and purpose of our government. I agree that we need reforms but for now I, for one, understand that we have to work for change within the established framework or risk evil triumphing as was the case when Ralph Nadar threw a wrench in not so well laid plans and we ended up with the most corrupt and dysfunctional regime of all time in America, the Bush/Cheney years.
Unless we have a complete revolution, I don’t see the two party system going away. I continue to very grateful for the fact that a minor revolution occured in 2008. Obama continues to be frustrated just like you by the lack of progress. He knows he has to work within the system to change the system, so I think he is being patient. I also think it looks and seems a lot easier to change the system when we are not standing outside looking in. I also think we are more free in our criticisms when we are not working hard to change things.
Thank you for your comment Donna.
I should state that I did vote for Obama & believe he is a good person. He is also a politician. One reason I think we need protest movements and a more leftist party now more than ever is that unlike Bush, I believe he would do the right thing if he felt the people would support him. Right now he is stuck in the world of Washington politics, which is very insulated from the populace (they want us just to vote every four years and go away). I am very disappointed that Obama has abandoned his support for single payer health care, has increased the military & expanded the war in Afghanistan, he recently even approved more mountain top removal. I don’t think he really wants to do this, but that he feels it is necessary in the political game (of course the democrat controlled congress is probably more responsible). Howard Zinn wrote an excellent article on the need for activism now: http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/21486
As for the Democrats, The mere fact that so many still blame Nader for their 2000 failure shows a lack of belief in democracy. I never even bothered to think it was worthwhile to vote until the Green Party inspired me to register to vote in 1996. I worked for the Green Party and believe strongly in their values and encourage people to actually look at the ideals they stood for. They inspired people and the voters they brought out helped the Democrats gain seats in several congressional elections. But for the Democrats to take the opinion that they own someones vote is not democratic, they have to earn my vote!
In regards to 2000, Gore did not win (though he did win enough votes) because he ran a crappy campaign! He lost his own home state. He did not fight for Florida after the vote fiasco. Bill Clinton is also way more responsible for Gore’s loss. If Clinton had been able to focus on being president rather than on Monica Lewinsky, Gore would have been able to run on his accomplishments rather than distance himself. If Democrats want to earn my respect, they need to start taking responsibility rather than always blaming others for their failures (especially now as if they screw up again, they have no one to blame). The two party system is designed by those in power to squelch democracy. While I may choose to register democrat and vote accordingly, I will not internalize this system and lose my belief in the power of people or true democracy!
I certainly respect the hard work and dedication of the Democrats in getting Obama in office and I am thankful they finally came up with a strategy to win! However, your comment about sitting outside looking in seems to imply that the only way to affect change in this ‘democracy’ is to work with a major party. I believe it is quite the contrary. The abolitionist, the women’s rights and civil rights movement were not led by politicians but by citizens. That is why I think the best way to support Obama and affect real ‘change’ is to actively be involved in the anti-war and single-payer health care movements (among others). The Zinn article states this case very eloquently in my opinion.
Finally, regarding corporate interests, if you haven’t seen the documentary ‘the corporation’ you must see it. It explains exactly the history of how corporation went from being required to serve the public good to citizens with rights. We allowed this to happen and we can ‘change’ it! Do I hear a “yes we can!”?
I hope we can all move on from the past and work together to achieve our common goals. I hope to see as many Democrats on the streets as possible so that we can continue to support the progress that was made in 2008 and force our politicians to keep their promises this time!
Tom:
I appreciate your idealism and enthusiasm. However, while it may be time ( Actually, it’s been time for many decades. ) for a viable third party, the chance of it happening are very slim, IMO. Americans, and perhaps people in general, are naturally resistant to change. They fear it and would much prefer the status quo over radical, unproven change. That’s not my personal mindset, just an observation. A viable third party would have to be very, very broad based, and that would require much compromise. For that reason, I agree with Donna that nothing short of a large scale revolution ( or crisis ) could change our political system. Is the current administration capable of working within the current framework to correct problems with issues such as healthcare? Well, I certainly hope so, but it’s a huge mountain to climb and the critical transition period will bring serious growing pains for all of us.
I will say that IF a viable third party came along that represented my core beliefs and values, I would be on board in a New York minute. Good luck with your blog!