Articles :: Politics :: What's your true Political Party Platform
written by Toby Miller on November 27, 2006 November 27, 2006
I've always been a Democrat, well at least until this year. This year I started wondering why I was a Democrat. I mean, I don't remember ever researching my options or learning what it means to be a Democrat versus being a Republican. I just know that one day I was a Democrat. I knew there were other parties out there, but didn't know anything about them. Sure, I learned about different parties in school, but that was more about memorizing some definitions to pass the POD test so that I could get on with my real plans as quickly as possible and replace that political mumbo jumbo with what was really important ... sex, drugs and my bench press =P. So I decided to start doing some research. And, to my surprise, there were a lot more parties out there to choose from than I realized.
So I began the journey of researching, researching, researching and researching and here's what I found out. Also, please keep in mind that these are spiced with my own personal opinions and ideas. So I hope none of my comments offend you, but in case they do I pre-apologize. One last thing worthy of noting is that I did not include any parties without activity prior to the year 2000.
Democratic Party (DNC)
The Democratic Party is a very well mixed platform which is made up of many different ideologies such as left wing democratic socialists, traditional liberals, centrist right wings, GOP-style conservatives and pragmatic moderate to liberal centrists. So to sum it up, the Democratic Party is the mutt party and basically comprises of anyone that didn't want to be Republican and didn't feel strongly enough about their government to find a third party platform that better fit their personal belief structure. This has always been the "safe bet" party for many because what do people do when they can't make up their mind? They choose the safe (or neutral) choice and if the Democratic Party is anything, it's neutral. Not in actions mind you, but in always taking the middle ground whenever it's a choice.
Thought: Choose the Democratic Party if you don't want to think too much, they will usually make decent choices for you.
Republican Party (RNC)
The Republican Party is made up of traditional conservatives, religious rights activists, centrist and moderate wings, libertarians and paleo-conservatives (those against immigration) platform. These are, IMO, the dinosaurs who are struggling to hang onto their power and money. But at least you know what they stand for (except for the Libertarians, they're just crumb catchers).
Thought: Choose the Republican Party if your goals in life have something to do with attaining maximum wealth, preaching your religious protestant or catholic beliefs to the rest of the world, or just generally want to always get your way regardless of how others might feel about it.
America First Party
The America First party is a social conservative, fair trade, religious rights platform. Also worth nothing is that their interest in fair trade is in making it easier for big business to trade cheaply, not necessarily to make trading "fair" for both parties.
Thought: Choose the America First Party if you liked Pat Buchanan or wanted to be a Republican but didn't understand why they let the Libertarians in or agree with their ideals about "fair trade" and think that those interested in "free trade" are just crazy ass poor people working hard because that's what poor people are supposed to do.
American Party
The American Party is a very small conservative Christian platform.
Thought: Choose the American Party if you just want the whole country to accept Christianity as their faith and do what the bible says. Or at least what the modern day American English bible says.
American Nazi Party
The American Nazi Party is, well, a group of nazis. They chant "white power" and stuff like that.
Thought: If you liked Adolf's work, then this is probably your party. Just remember, what goes around, comes around. Hint: I'm not a big fan.
American Reform Party
The American Reform Party is a right wing center conservative, anti-GATT/NAFTA libertarian platform.
Thought: Since they shifted left to support Ralph Nader in 2000 I'm left wondering whether they even believe in their own ideologies or not or if they just all wanted to start a club and the American Reform Party was the result. Personally, I'd want a little more definitive direction in my political party but what do I know? If you find indecision and failure to commit comforting then you might feel right at home here.
Communist Party USA
The Communist Party USA is, well, a communist party. In case you're unfamiliar with this concept they're basically for things like universal health care, not elimination of the federal income tax on low income households (people earning under $60,000 a year), free college education for eveyone (on the governments dime), drastic cuts in military spending (only using it when you need it), massive public works programs, the outlawing of scabs and union busting, abolition of corporate monopolies, public ownership of energy and basic industries, huge tax hikes for corporations and the wealthy, and various other programs to beat the power of the capitalist class and promote anti-imperialist freedom struggles around the world. *deep breath*
Thought: In theory this sounds like a decent collection of ideas, just remember that the Cold War didn't just happen, it happened because Communism failed. This can certainly become a slippery slope if one's not too careful. If you like Star Trek then you'd probably like the Communist Party. The only problem is that not enough people are jumping on board to make it viable. So it's a long road to hoe, but if you've got the energy then hoe away!
Constitution Party
The Constitution Party is very right wing, strongly pro-life, anti-gun control, anti-tax, anti-immigration, protectionist, anti-New World Order, anti-United Nations, anti-gay rights, anti-welfare, pro-school prayer ... basically a hardcore Religious Right platform.
Thought: So just in case you didn't get the gist of it let me help out; anti-immigration/anti-United Nations/anti-gay = hate thy neighbor, anti-New World Order = change is bad, pro-school prayer = I'm right and everyone else is wrong, anti-tax = money is magical and will just appear for me. Oh come on, really? Moving on.
Green Party of the United States (Green Party)
The Green Party (the informal US-affiliate of the leftist, environmentalist European Greens movement) believes in grassroots democracy, social justice and equal opportunity, ecological wisdom, non-violence, decentralization, community based economics, feminism and gender equality, respect for diversity, personal and global responsibility, future focus and sustainability. Note that the Green Party is not to be confused with the Greens/Green Party.
Thought: Be one of the really cool kids and pick something to believe in that actually aims to improve our country for the better. This is my new party choice and one that I'm very happy to represent. I know exactly what these guys stand for and can sponsor them with a pretty good feeling in what I'm doing. We all want the Star Trek society, but first we have to earn the right to live in such a society and I think this is a step in that direction.
The Greens/Green Party USA (G/GPUSA)
Though the names are similar, this is the Greens/Green Party, not to be confused with the "Green Party" that I just mentioned. They're very easy to confuse. This party actually started out following a lot of the same values as the "Green Party", but steered towards a much heavier leftist version of the same ideals.
Thought: If you're going to go with one of the two I'd suggest the actual "Green Party", but if you're more leftist (you like a little more flower than power) then choose the "Greens/Green Party". Either way your soul won't melt over time like it no doubt will with some of these other groups.
Independence Party
The Independence Party is pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-medical marijuana, pro-gun rights and fiscally moderate.
Thought: If you liked Jesse Ventura and his political views and wish you had been around for the 70's peace and love parties with no fear of AIDS to ruin your group orgies and wished "everyone would just get along" then this could be your party. Ahhh, pipe dreams are wonderful, aren't they?
Independent American Party
The Independent American Party is another Religious Rights platform (similar to the Constitution Party).
Thought: You can just chalk this up as another "good ol boy" platform. If you're not rich, living on a ranch or at least attending a weekly mens-only church sponsored poker party then you're probably not going to get in anyhow.
Labor Party
The Labor Party is what happened when all of the labor unions got tired of both the Democrats and Republicans making false promises just to beef up their numbers. So they started their own party. Basically, if it's good for the union, these guys are behind it.
Thought: This group is very narrowly focused, but if this is what's important to you, then have at it.
Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party believes in total individual liberty and total economic freedom. In plain english this means that they believe in pro-drug legalization, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-home schooling, anti-gun control, anti-welfare, anti-government regulation of business, anti-minimum wage, anti-income tax, pro-free-trade, etc, etc. This is the other third party that rivals the Green Party in size and presence.
Thought: If you're looking to make a neutral choice then this is your group because the Libertarians are about as neutral as you can get. In theory this groups beliefs makes me think of Ghandi and his struggle ... but oddly, at the same time I'm forced to think of WACO. Pick your parody.
New Union Party
The New Union Party is a militant democratic socialist party and is committed to overthrowing the capitalist economic system.
Thought: I like conspiracy theories as much as the next guy ... but I think "the next guy" was labeled after these guys.
Peace and Freedom Party
The Peace and Freedom Party is what was left over from the anti-Vietnam war, peace, love and happiness scene. Have you heard of the Black Panthers? If you have, and you were born after Bruce Lee died (in 1973), then this party is probably why. Basically they have a solid foundation of peace and freedom, but no serious follow-through.
Thought: Put your efforts into a more organized group, the 70's are dead and aren't coming back any time soon. At least Jesse Ventura tried to make it fun.
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition Party is all about anti-drinking, anti-drug, anti-communist Christianity and they want YOU to join them.
Thought: Aside from forcing their religion on others I don't have any qualms over this group, but it seems more like they should have started a church rather than a political party.
Reform Party
The Reform Party was Ross Perot's baby. This party has just blown apart at the seams and I really can't figure out what they stand for any more. I guess whatever craziness sir Ross is interested in these days.
Thought: Jesse Ventura and Pat Buchanan started out with Ross Perot in this group and this is why we now have the Independence Party and the America First party (they all sort of started disagreeing with Ross and went their separate ways). I'd wait for this party to stablize before getting involved again, or do the sensible thing and wait for the next odd billionaire to try again. Who know, maybe Bill Gates will make a go of it =).
Socialist Party USA
The Socialist Party members are true democratic socialists advocating left-wing electoral change instead of militant revolutionary change. This group is very anti-communist as well.
Thought: I'd say that this group should just fold into the Democratic party and stay there. Their ideals don't seem strong enough to stand on their own.
Socialist Equality Party
The Socialist Equality Party is another communist party, but their unique spin is that they specifically blame Stalinism for failures of the past and want to try again here in the U.S. thinking that they'll "get it right" this time.
Thought: These guys seem like they're spouting out of too many orifices. They say they want the pristine communism dream, but they also say they want to tear down our defenses. No thanks, not in this century anyhow.
Socialist Workers Party
The Socialist Workers Party is yet another communist party against capitalism. They're singing the same tune as the Socialist Equality Party (IMO).
Thought: They don't seem very much different than most other communist groups to me. So weigh your communism groups together and see if they stack up ... if you're into communism that is.
U.S. Marijuana Party
The U.S. Marijuana Party is, you guessed it, all for legalizing marijuana. They have some interesting points too. If marijuana wasn't illegal, what would we be arresting people for now? Who would populate our jails now? It could help a lot of things indeed. That is if you believe that marijuana shouldn't be illegal in the first place.
Thought: Making marijuana legal should have been done years ago and if you believe that too then check this group out. But don't expect to get a presidential campaign out of them anytime soon ... I don't think anyone is going to vote for Tommy Chong or Snoop Dogg for president. Well, I'm sure someone will, just not enough someones to make a difference.
Workers World Party
The Workers World Party is a pro-Chinese communist party that are largely regarded as anarchists and extremist socialist groups.
Thought: Basically these guys like to start riots. So if that's a good time for you then welcome home!
So in conclusion
Stop playing follow the leader and find out who your true party is. And don't let any of my comments dissuade you as I was just stating my opinions, which you should do as well. Stop waiting for television campaign messages to tell you what to do, you have a brain so use it. Besides, those television campaigns are focused on hurting their opponents, not accelling the human race or the U.S. Also remember, they're only third parties because you're not voting for them ... stop playing follow the leader and find your true party. Hopefully it ends up being the "Green Party". =)
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