wethe purple online

Article by Bobby Scott

? With voter frustration in California at an all time high, citizens have begun to look at what else is out there other than the two mainstream California political parties. An independent California political party can offer something outside of the normal and outside the control of special interest groups. An independent California political party may just be the remedy for this ailing state that is being chocked by gridlock and selective representation. This past November election had several independents run for California Governor. Here are some options out there to consider during the next elections.

? Libertarian Party. The political platform of the Libertarian Party favors minimal government in both business and the private lives of citizens. They promote relatively unregulated markets, support strong civil liberties, and individual property rights. The party is big on fiscal Independent Parties responsibility and never spending more than the state takes in. They are in support of large scale government cut backs including reducing pensions, scaling back social services, and laying off of various types of state workers.

? Green Party. This California political party platform consists of grass roots social change without the involvement of special interests and corporate money. There is a strong commitment to environmental justice. They promote ecologically sound principles when it comes to basic living as well as business development and state infrastructure. Their economic polices focus on decentralized government with an emphasis on community based economic development. The party is a major proponent of renewable energy and the promotion of the new California “Green Economy” where they favor government incentives for such businesses.

? American Independent Party. The party is heavily faith based and believes in constitutional principles Independent Parties and social conservatism. They rally around tight immigration control, rights to bear arms, same sex marriage, pro life policies, and home schooling. Their business policies revolve around building a local manufacturing and production base that will reduce reliance on foreign imports. They feel the average California has been long over taxed and propose major tax reform that will significantly reduce state income tax. They also feel that the California state legislature should function as a part-time entity.

? Peace and Freedom Party. As a California political party that emphasis worker rights, the party supports democratic socialism that offers an economic partnership run by state owned enterprises and private companies. Social justice is heavily tied to work rights and regulation on economic exploitation. They also promote a strong social safety net along with social services through the increase or corporate taxes.

Independent Parties

Article by Jim DeSantis

The election is over. The call, by some Democrat leaders, to get out of Iraq within a few months has already begun. The political jockeying for advantage in the next election is underway. The effort to corner President Bush was hinted at within days after the election results were in. Nancy Pelosi reminded us – “He’s the President of the United States. I respect the office. It’s his call.” She, of course, was talking about Iraq. In other words, Bush, and Republicans, will be set up to take the blame if we are not out of Iraq soon.

Here is how this will play out and why we, as voters, need to make every politician accountable in 2008.

The Democrats will propose a plan to get out of Iraq that President Bush will not accept. It will be based upon recommendations from the Independent Study Commission, a commission endorsed by President Bush. Democrats will try to force the President into a veto, a veto that Democrats do not have enough votes to over-ride. Thus, the President and the GOP will be to blame going into 2008 elections.

Democrats will continue to vote in favor of funds to continue the war in Iraq because they “support the troops but not the war”. Many Republicans will vote with them based on that mantra.

Democrats will propose a national hike in the minimum wage, taking Independent Parties away State’s Rights, trying to force another veto by the President.

Democrats will propose a change in tax law, punishing the so-called “rich” in favor of the so-called “middle class” in spite of the fact that the richest people pay 85% of the Federal Income Tax income that goes into the Federal Budget. “Take from the rich and give to the middle class” will be the Democrat mantra. This likely will be vetoed by the President as well. This is a twist on the John Edwards mantra.

Democrats will propose to strip big oil of federal tax breaks. This could pass and could be the one veto that is overridden because most Americans believe we are being gouged at the gas pumps. Of course, this ignores the need for big oil to invest in finding new sources of oil and building greater refinery capacity. One needs to be a CPA to figure this one out so Democrats will simply play to the emotional triggers in each of us.

Democrats will propose a rewrite of the Prescription Drug legislation that brought much cheaper drugs to Seniors. They will attempt to impose a “negotiation clause”, that is, negotiate with the Pharms over the cost of drugs. Sounds good. Plays to our emotions and personal budgets. Fact is, short of price controls, which never work (remember Nixon?), the Pharms are giving the current discounts voluntarily.

My list is getting too Independent Parties long, isn’t it? You already have figured out much of this, haven’t you? Am I a Republican? Democrat? Independent? My answer is – I am a voter. I vote on a candidate-by-candidate basis, regardless of party affiliation.

Election 2006 was about voter disenchantment with Congress. For me, and a huge majority of Americans, Election 2006 was not just about Iraq or Immigration or Energy, etc. Pollsters, across the board, in every poll, found that Congress had a less-than-30% approval rating. This is 10-to-15 points below the President’s rating.

Where did this leave us? As pointed out in my previous post, we had to choose between the “Lesser of Two Evils”. It’s unfortunate that the political process is rigged to favor two political parties.

We need an Independent Party of equal power in both Primary and General Elections. Perhaps, as Joe Lieberman proved, a person with a true desire to be a “public servant” can be elected as an Independent candidate.

I am hopeful that young voters reading this will be energized into action and help form a true Independent Party. That they will bring about a change in our antiquated political process. That they will weed out the “politicians” and elect “public servants” in the future. That some of them will persue a career in government or politics to create a government that is truly – “by the people and for the people” as our Constitution Independent Parties promises.