What alternatives to the Democratic Party are there?

[bryant69]

I mean obviously we are all disappointed in how this shook out, but what else is there?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. That's exactly why they caved. They count on us to "support" them no matter what.

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all." --Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 1789.

"Were parties here divided merely by a greediness for office,...to take a part with either would be unworthy of a reasonable or moral man." --Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 1795.

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." --John Quincy Adams

[bryant69]

4. That's why we are called the base I suppose

But again, what are our other options?

Bryant

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Our votes are our power.

The politicians will come after our votes if they fear losing them.

[bryant69]

20. Fair enough, but it seems like they don't fear losing them right now

And with some logic on their side.

Bryant

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. Alas, all too true. They rely on the "lesser of two evils" concept to keep them in office.

Which is why we have frequent interchangeability of party positions that blur the choices.

The sad thing is that the electorate has grown apathetic and is reduced to voting for such things as "charisma", "boxers or jockeys", and the every popular "gotcha" politics.

But, it presents the illusion of democracy even though there is no choice for substantial change on the ballot.

[bryant69]

22. Yeah, but they really are the lesser of two evils

It's kind of a conundrum.

Bryant

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

23. That's where John Quincy Adams quote comes in for me.

[bryant69]

25. Fair enough.

Bryant

[evlbstrd]

2. DSA

http://www.dsausa.org/dsa.html

[nealmhughes]

16. Unless things have changed, the DSA does not run candidates.

Bernie Sanders, for example is a Democratic Socialist, yet ran for mayor of Burlington, the House and Senate as an Independent.

Within the Demcratic Party, there are the Progressive Democrats of America. They endorse Democratic candidates, but are not part of the party structure. I know, I wrote copy there for 6 months last year!
http://www.pdamerica.org

Like the DSA, they are not a party, rather an "interest group," providing both endorsement and tools for public education on the issues. One can be a member of the DSA and PDA simultaneously, as well as a member of the Democratic Party.

[evlbstrd]

18. But it's a way to influence the party.

Since there's no current viable alternative.

[H2O Man]

3. Interesting question.

I think that the important thing is to transform the democratic party, rather than to leave it.

[Kolesar]

5. Another one of *these* threads...eom

[bryant69]

13. Yeah it's a damn shame they let people with the wrong opinion post at DU

but what are you gonna do?

Bryant

[Zywiec]

6. There are no alternatives to the Democratic Party in the US

We are a two-party system. You know the other choice.

[mmonk]

7. Only the bad guys right now. We have a two party system

that third parties can't meaningfully crack. Join the PDA and get our party, constitution, and country back.

[mike_c]

15. it's a one party system....

We're the democratic wing of the the Corporatist Tools Party.

[Individualist]

24. Precisely.

DLC has accomplished its goal.

[unpossibles]

9. our whole party did not leave us (yet)

I know it sounds crazy, and I even consider myself to be officially an independent, but when my car breaks I usually try to fix it instead of leaving it on the side of the road.

[Beelzebud]

Well if you ask Democratic party members they'll say no one.

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If we never VOTE for 3rd party candidates, then they will never have a chance.

And the 1 party (the corporate party) would love to keep things just the way they are.

[TechBear_Seattle]

In before the lock

Rational question, one I keep trying to ask. Unfortunately, threads that ask that question are routinely suppressed.

[kiteinthewind]

10. Al Gore. Period.

[bryant69]

14. If Al Gore runs he'll run as a Democrat

Just sayin'

Bryant

[Jed Dilligan]

11. Not voting.

Leaving the country.

Headin' for the hills an' livin' like a wildman.

[OneBlueSky]

12. they know it, and that's what's so infuriating . . .

today they're all busy reassuring each other that this will blow over and things will be fine . . .

"It'll pass -- it always does. They'll get over it. These people have nowhere else to go. Don't worry; just another little storm to weather -- a tempest in a teapot."

I know that these kinds of conversations are taking place and, beyond the vote itself, that's what's REALLY enraging me today . . .

[Cults4Bush]

17. Sky I can confirm via a few well placed friends that that is exactly what

they are saying.

Once more taken for granted and all w eget is the same lame lesser of two evils argument coupled with the bullying, cajoleing and outright blackmail.

[Lars39]

19. www.pdamerica.org

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

26. Your crazy electoral system guarantees there is none.

In other places, nobody is afraid, say, to give the government to the right wing by choosing a different left-wing party. They can choose more freely. There's runoff elections, party lists, and none of that "electoral college" nonsense.

In the USA, whenever a less-than-microscopic third party candidate shows up, he automatically gives the White House to the other contender he's the LEAST aligned with. Hence "Nader = Bush" and other crazy things.

In theory, this shouldn't apply to legislative elections, and indeed you do see an independent in the House or Senate, once in a blue moon. But, of course, there's the one representative = one district allotment, which more often than not makes the congressional election look like a microcosm of the presidential one. (I better not vote for the Green candidate or I'm taking a vote away from the Democrat and the Republican wins)

Of course, the aforementioned system is a henhouse guarded by wolves.