09 December 2007

AMERICA NEEDS A REAL LEFT THIRD PARTY

And, no, not a fundamentalist "Christian" party to split the Right, but rather a new party to stand for the future...

The Green Party used to be promising, in that direction. Now it looks like a ball and chain. Let's look at its faults:

1) the fact that the various informal systems of economic and political patronage that characterize American economic/political life have all been arranged to benefit Democrats and exclude Greens.

2) The Green Party's custom of holding "beauty contest" primaries -- you can vote all you want, for instance, for the seven candidates running for President next year, but the real decision will be made at the convention in Chicago in June.

3) The Green Party's concentration among middle-class white voters in boutique cities, which has a chance of being remedied this year.

4) The Green Party's habit of pursuing "consensus" and "supermajority" decision making systems at political conventions, which grants inordinate power to those who are holding up consensus.

5) The fact that the mass media, having been stripped of any real obligations to the public through the crumbling of the Fairness Doctrine under Reagan, is not even obliged to tell the public of the Green Party's existence.

and, last but not least:

6) The fact that the above non-system has allowed the Green Party to be dominated by "gatekeepers," well-meaning people (Mike Feinstein, Phil Huckelberry, Jody Haug, and so on) whose job it is to make sure that all serious proposals go through them first.

The Democratic Party myth about all this is that the Green Party can't win because of the American electoral system, and that the Greens had better get used to it, and get back in the habit of voting for the "lesser of two evils" candidates. Yeah, right. Nonsense. The Green Party can't win because it has fallen into the mold of the standard US "fringe" party.

Now, maybe Cynthia McKinney can break through that mold, and, after having curried favor with all the GPUS gatekeepers, bring a lot of new, exciting people into the Green Party. But her webpage reveals a way-too-brief pitch for "give us money," to which the average reader will ask, "why?"

None of the other candidates have much besides shoestring-budget webpages, 'cept, of course, that eternal scapegoat Ralph Nader, who still gets attack diaries on DailyKos.com seven years after his supposed "spoiler" effort in Florida (you know, the one in which the Supreme Court elected the President?).

The Democratic Party has the culture of a political party that could realize some important truths about the world, chained to a series of myths about political life that justify acquiescence to the status quo. It's an exasperating combination. The problem is that the Democratic Party is so vast that there are more committed ecosocialists in the DP than there are in the Green Party. Hard to believe, eh?

In the California primary this year, I'm voting for Dennis Kucinich for President. The effort this year seems to be a lot better than the one in 2004. Ignore all the Ron Paul gossip. Something has to give, and it has to be within the ranks of the vast Democratic Party. If Dennis starts to win states maybe I'll remain a Democrat. If not, I'll be re-registering Green. But either the Green Party gets its much-needed overhaul, or something else has to form. It has to.

Labels: ,

25 Comments:

Blogger Urban Harvester said...

I agree with the need...
I can see myself as an EcoSocialist, maybe a bioregional anarchist, I think that the two would be quite similar. They both would be talking about re-designing political philoshophy and structure with ecology. If you aren't aware of it already, permaculture offers a design language apt for the task and there is a forming Permaculture People's Party. Albeit in Australia, by one of the co-founders of the design science, there's a growing permaculture community here that could be tapped into. For more:
http://www.tagari.com/?p=206
http://www.communitypower.com.au/96.0.html

Not an immediate solution, but a possible vision...

thanks,
Oliver

3:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy ecosocialist New Year!

I’m writing to ask a favour … your site very kindly includes a link to Climate and Capitalism, but the link goes to the old URL.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could change it to
http://www.climateandcapitalism.com

Thank you ….
Ian Angus, editor
Climate and Capitalism

12:01 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

"But either the Green Party gets its much-needed overhaul, or something else has to form. It has to."

There are just TWO ways to go: capitalism, or socialism.

Capitalism will *never* do anything about population, pollution, resource depletion, etc etc.

Never.

If the green party is still capitalist, then it is no use either.

Same goes for most "green" parties in the world.

What else, then?
1) May I suggest we all check what Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and Evo Morales said/wrote/did during these last Copenhagen days?
2) Hugo Chavez just called for a new socialist international.

Reps are scum. Dems are scam.
But the name of the monster is capitalism. Itself.

If anyone is going for a break to bipartisanship, might as well go for the real thing.

Greetings.

7:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

conservative christian singles [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]looking for love personals[/url] purchasing singles cds tapes http://loveepicentre.com/ nh singles

11:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Laptop search and advice [url=http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-2430-402-laptopbatterymodel1959.html]laptop comparison[/url] Laptop Batteries Wholesale http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-dv7-1150-laptopbatterymodel1485.html laptop comparison
notebook batteries [url=http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-n3000-laptopbatterymodel577.html]laptop comparison[/url] original laptop batteries http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-3000wlmi-laptopbatterymodel1341.html Laptop Adapter
Laptop Batteries Wholesale [url=http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/battery-4100wlmi-batterytype1.html]toshiba laptop[/url] Axiotron Laptop http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-400-laptopbatterymodel675.html Samsung laptop battery

12:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

codex divx vitamin food [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/c.htm]Online Drugstore[/url] health care risk due diligence http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/cardio-vasculaires.htm indian drug manufacturer http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/septilin.htm
toy fox terrier and diet [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/provigrax.htm]provigrax[/url] thottbot heart of the [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/propecia.htm]can a man have prostate surgery if he has blockages in his legs[/url]

1:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://online-health.in
[url=http://online-health.in/asthma/air-purifiers-for-asthma]how to become a drug deal[/url] common er iv drugs [url=http://online-health.in/azithromycin/chlamydia-treatment-and-azithromycin]chlamydia treatment and azithromycin[/url]
canada pharmacy vaniqa http://online-health.in/antibiotic/antibiotic-effectiveness-diabetics
[url=http://online-health.in/biaxin/allergic-reaction-to-biaxin]cialis low cost[/url] kamagra cialis [url=http://online-health.in/avodart/avodart-and-cancer]avodart and cancer[/url]
viagra in australia http://online-health.in/antibiotics/antibiotics-beginning-of-antibiotic-soil-and-dirt-1950
[url=http://online-health.in/antifungal/mango-as-antifungal-agent]omeprazole drug[/url] eastern africa health and medicine [url=http://online-health.in/azathioprine/azathioprine-and-htlv-testing]azathioprine and htlv testing[/url] websites for drug lortab or hydrocodone [url=http://online-health.in/baclofen/baclofen-pump-lead]baclofen pump lead[/url]

11:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

auto travel picnic basket http://atravel.in/car-rental_car-rental-companies-fort-lauderdale-airport beijing scitech international travel service
[url=http://atravel.in/maps_maps-scotland]dutchman denali travel trailer[/url] travel alarm clock cruise world [url=http://atravel.in/map_hawaiian-island-chain-map]hawaiian island chain map[/url]
yankee magazine travel http://atravel.in/airport_leeds-bradford-airport-tristar-may-85
[url=http://atravel.in/tours_motor-coach-tours-of-usa-located-in-va]flairview travel rome[/url] dreams unlimited travel 1 800 number [url=http://atravel.in/map_map-of-new-york-1925]map of new york 1925[/url]
travel from guangzhou to hong kong http://atravel.in/adventure_los-angles-adventure-all-suite-hotel bo webb travel [url=http://atravel.in/disneyland_disneyland-railroad]disneyland railroad[/url]

10:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

auto parts in palm beach http://autoexpress.in/maserati/maserati/european/delivery/program automobile accessories lighting bend flexible
[url=http://autoexpress.in/saleen/saleen/recaro]review mercedes benz slk 280[/url] napa auto parts las vegas [url=http://autoexpress.in/mercury/who/wants/specially/distilled/mercury]who wants specially distilled mercury[/url]
volkswagen camper van hire http://autoexpress.in/romeo/alfa/romeo/fiberglass/body/parts
[url=http://autoexpress.in/buick/buick/lasaber]volkswagen blowing fuse[/url] free volkswagen beetle 1975 manual [url=http://autoexpress.in/royce/rolls/royce/steps/am/1/back/canada/consulting/eastern/fly/gmt/05]rolls royce steps am 1 back canada consulting eastern fly gmt 05[/url]
nwi auto salavage yards http://autoexpress.in/mercury/fish/with/no/mercury
[url=http://autoexpress.in/maserati/maserati/grandturismo]mercedes menor[/url] how to install car stereo in a 2002 dodge caravan [url=http://autoexpress.in/scooter/geely/big/chief/scooter]geely big chief scooter[/url]

10:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

lake pointe travel http://livetravel.in/tours/jamestown-pocahontas-tours virginia travel television
[url=http://livetravel.in/tours/bus-tours-out-of-nh]have gun will travel dvd[/url] travel through the human body [url=http://livetravel.in/travel/cross-country-motorcycle-travel]cross country motorcycle travel[/url]
project looking glass time travel http://livetravel.in/inn/ramada-inn-tallahassee-fla
[url=http://livetravel.in/plane-tickets/discount-air-plane-tickets-to-ecuador]price comparison air travel[/url] how sounds travel [url=http://livetravel.in/motel/sun-beach-motel-ocean-city-nj]sun beach motel ocean city nj[/url]
saudi arabia travel laws http://livetravel.in/cruise/celebrity-millennium-cruise-in-florida
[url=http://livetravel.in/vacation-packages/cheap-vacation-package-deals-htm]dod travel security[/url] ocean view travel [url=http://livetravel.in/lufthansa/boeing-employee-flying-club-renton]boeing employee flying club renton[/url] how to build a mousetrap car that can travel at least 5feet [url=http://livetravel.in/car-rental/car-rental-momma]car rental momma[/url]
infants and head colds and air travel [url=http://livetravel.in/maps/old-platt-maps-charlotte-nc]old platt maps charlotte nc[/url]
adventure travel everest http://livetravel.in/airlines/virgin-airlines-melbourne
[url=http://livetravel.in/airport/blytheville-gosnell-regional-airport-authority]travel as a marine biologist[/url] travel clinic uk sunningdale [url=http://livetravel.in/lufthansa/boeing-737-versus-airbus]boeing 737 versus airbus[/url]
[url=http://livetravel.in/hotel/photos-imperial-rooms-hotel-rome]photos imperial rooms hotel rome[/url] los altos bakery long beach ca travel trip hotel visiting [url=http://livetravel.in/plane-tickets/plane-tickets-chicago-to-burbank]plane tickets chicago to burbank[/url] flight schedules in china travel [url=http://livetravel.in/hotel/how-much-hotel-owners-spent-on-remodeling-in-cancun]how much hotel owners spent on remodeling in cancun[/url]
nonstop travel anchorage [url=http://livetravel.in/tours/coupons-for-scenic-air-grand-canyon-tours]coupons for scenic air grand canyon tours[/url]

9:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

cheap flights air travel prices http://greatadventures.in/vacation-packages/disney-vacation-package-tickets air line travel tickets
[url=http://greatadventures.in/lufthansa/that-airways]casita travel trailers for sale[/url] odyssey travel brochure assignment [url=http://greatadventures.in/tourism/sex-tourism-in-dominican-republic]sex tourism in dominican republic[/url]
travel agencies fredericton new brunswick http://greatadventures.in/adventure/adventure-himalayan-tour
[url=http://greatadventures.in/maps/maps-of-wolverhampton]what people in jordan travel be[/url] travel to nicaragua [url=http://greatadventures.in/travel/buy-your-own-travel-business]buy your own travel business[/url]
gulliers travel movie http://greatadventures.in/tourist/gerona-tourist international travel grants [url=http://greatadventures.in/plane-tickets/inexpensive-plane-tickets]inexpensive plane tickets[/url]

8:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

scecher shoes http://topcitystyle.com/moschino-brand32.html womens wide dress shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/black-grey-snake-print-shoes-color62.html]wall street clothes site[/url] shoes for little girls
http://topcitystyle.com/l-dressy-tops-size7.html kelly lauren [url=http://topcitystyle.com/shirts-page5.html]france clothes[/url]

5:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

kleine loo http://topcitystyle.com/dark-brown-women-color231.html dvs shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/l-pullover-size7.html]plus size fashions[/url] keen clearance shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/ecru-women-color84.html designer prom dresses [url=http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=1888]chanel eiffel tower necklace[/url]

2:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

volkswagen nardo w12 show car 2008 http://carautonews.in/auto-co lexus automobile
[url=http://carautonews.in/daihatsu/daihatsu-storia]new auto parts in michigan[/url] volkswagen beetle rocker panel [url=http://carautonews.in/auto-co/family-member-auto-decal]family member auto decal[/url]
grand theft auto helicopter cheats for psp http://carautonews.in/ducati/ducati-apperal
[url=http://carautonews.in/bike/haro-bike-logo]automobile escrow buying[/url] volkswagen diesel hybrid [url=http://carautonews.in/automobiles/automobiles-in-vt]automobiles in vt[/url]
automobile inc in singapore http://carautonews.in/auto-info/leading-edge-auto-glass
[url=http://carautonews.in/auto-co/constellation-auto]volkswagen alliston[/url] volkswagen gearbox 020 [url=http://carautonews.in/fiat/carro-fiat-estrada-tunados]carro fiat estrada tunados[/url]

7:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

adult pic browser http://pornrapidshare.in/pissing/ladies-pissing
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/tits/dunja-mature-tits]sexy ele pussy[/url] rough anal sex women [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/vibrators/flashlight-in-vibrator-head]flashlight in vibrator head[/url]
alisha class anal http://pornrapidshare.in/virgin/born-of-a-virgin-and-words
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/free-xxx/marching-band-xxx]porn free[/url] brazillian anal [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/uniform/school-uniform-policys]school uniform policys[/url]
porn free amateur http://pornrapidshare.in/teen-chat/teen-mobile-games
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/xxx-girls/free-israeli-xxx-clips]ellen folklore hentai[/url] sexy loguere [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/teen-model/teen-pregnancy-prevention]teen pregnancy prevention[/url]
different adult movie types http://pornrapidshare.in/teen-usa/free-teen-eva-pics
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/uniform/usmc-uniform-inspections]maltese anal gland removal[/url] adult porne clips [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/teen-model/teen-girls-models]teen girls models[/url]

2:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

usa virgin mobile rington http://www.orderphonetoday.com/t2000i-quad-band-dual-card-with-analog-tv--item35.html musical mobile [url=http://www.orderphonetoday.com/tv-ka08-quad-band-qual-card-with-java-fh-tv--item98.html]all about sawing in mobile alabama[/url] free mobile games download for nokia 3250

4:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wii travel case http://xwa.in/travel/travel-time-west-holiday-plans bus tickets with pets allowed to travel
[url=http://xwa.in/expedia/expedia-star-classification]platinum travel club scam[/url] ray lucas travel agency [url=http://xwa.in/adventure/xx-adventure-game]xx adventure game[/url]
walt disney world travel packages from calgary alberta http://xwa.in/tour/smooth-jazz-tour-2008
[url=http://xwa.in/expedia/viability-and-desirability-of-expedia]delsev travel luggage[/url] dd form travel claim [url=http://xwa.in/car-rental/enterprise-car-rental-key-largo-florida]enterprise car rental key largo florida[/url]
china travel service mel http://xwa.in/tours/rowan-yarn-factory-tours online travel portals [url=http://xwa.in/airlines/first-officer-scott-grove-northwest-airlines]first officer scott grove northwest airlines[/url]

2:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

smoking anxiety [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/evista.htm]evista[/url] nutrition health centre 2004 2008 http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/emsam.htm
access sti testing public health new technology [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/leukeran.htm]leukeran[/url] post power syndrome [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/e.htm ]equine and lethargy and low calcium [/url] cost of breast implant surgery
orion water ionized calcium beads [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/weight-loss.htm]weight loss[/url] medical transcriptiionist jobs working from home http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/l.htm
complementary medicine france [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/antibiotika.htm]antibiotika[/url] is the heart an organ [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zyprexa.htm ]mineral composition for a schist rock [/url] staphococcus infection sourse

7:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

teen fashion show http://luxefashion.us/hot-pink-color51.html sam stephenson designer of eamonn andrews house dublin [url=http://luxefashion.us/a-m-n-madness-national-stretch-jeans-brand55.html]fashion model forums[/url] china clothes holesell
http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&save_s_prm=1&pr_sort_=price skate shoes for sale online [url=http://luxefashion.us/cream-gucci-color68.html]kleinfelder[/url]

7:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

baby jordans shoes an clothes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/sweaters-armani-category24.html foster parents in laurens county dfcs [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/versace-jean-cut-pants-with-belt-for-women-black-item2338.html]designer fashion sketches[/url] simple shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/43-shirts-size49.html vintage christian dior bags [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/ed-hardy-dress-for-women-white-item1948.html]bob hillbert racing clothes[/url]

2:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

school of tropical medicine uk [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/controllo-delle-nascite.htm]controllo delle nascite[/url] world greatest health secrets http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/alpha-lipoic-acid.htm
medical power supplies [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zelnorm.htm]zelnorm[/url] fda allowable insect parts in food [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/q.htm ]herbal weight loss patch [/url] spinelli dental
health and safety issues at baxitue [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/hypnotherapie.htm]hypnotherapie[/url] video author breast http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/procardia.htm
viagra work [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/colesterolo.htm]colesterolo[/url] low reside diet [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/metoclopramide.htm ]purkinje fibers of heart [/url] qi blood essence fluid chart

3:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

keystone sprinter travel trailers http://xwl.in/lufthansa/british-airways-mishap tax on international airline travel
[url=http://xwl.in/expedia/expedia-arizona-trip]travel agencies in sask[/url] maxlite ml rs travel trailer [url=http://xwl.in/vacation-packages/best-vacation-packages-to-disneyworld-resorts]best vacation packages to disneyworld resorts[/url]
travel tourism lincoln nebraska http://xwl.in/vacation-packages/us-beach-vacation-packages
[url=http://xwl.in/expedia/orbittz-expedia-cheapflight]alamo travel packages[/url] limbald travel [url=http://xwl.in/disneyland/disneyland-fire-and-law]disneyland fire and law[/url]
memorex travel drive write protection http://xwl.in/expedia/expedia-canada travel south catolina [url=http://xwl.in/disneyland/discounts-for-military-at-disneyland]discounts for military at disneyland[/url]

2:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

chanel contact tables http://www.thefashionhouse.us/jeans-page8.html six six one shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/54-men-size9.html]designer diaper bag[/url] trail running shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/tracksuits-page2.html truss designer [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/pecci-zip-jacket-for-men-item1203.html]laurens county property search[/url]

12:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

niagra falls casinos http://lwv.in/poker-online/poker-table-20 kansas lottery powerball
[url=http://lwv.in/poker-online/poker-trivia]statistically sound gambling[/url] solar system bingo [url=http://lwv.in/lottery/lottery-and-texas-and-results]lottery and texas and results[/url]
lottery pool contract http://lwv.in/casino-playing-cards/ken-plastic-playing-cards
[url=http://lwv.in/casino-online/venetion-hotel-and-casino-las-vegas]casino blackjack free casino games[/url] computer gambling play blackjack game [url=http://lwv.in/slot/moniter-not-receiving-signal-fromagp-slot-on-motherboard]moniter not receiving signal fromagp slot on motherboard[/url]
hoyle casino empire http://lwv.in/keno/best-internet-keno casino ballroom [url=http://lwv.in/keno/rules-of-keno-internet]rules of keno internet[/url]

9:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

home movie theatres [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_tillies_punctured_romance/]tillies punctured romance[/url] how to record movie link movies http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_hockey_champ/ harry potter half blood prince movie
movie splinter [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_big/]big[/url] light of my life movie http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbygenres/download-genre_horror-movies/?page=12 mom fucks son movie
david wilcox movie convergence [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_winter_storage/]winter storage[/url] naruto shippuuden movie torrent
sean cody movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_sarah_plain_and_tall_winter_s_end/]sarah plain and tall winter s end[/url] english movie downloads for free http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_my_super_ex_girlfriend/ united artists movie theaternj
movie downloads jurassic park [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_anne_of_green_gables/]anne of green gables[/url] helen of troy movie review http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_mod_squad/ windows movie maker

6:26 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home