A lot of posters here seem to agree that a move away from two party politics, and the emergence of a 'Third Party', would be a healthy development in U.S. political culture. However, such a "party" (or a movement - or political insurgency - or whatever) could be dragged in various political and/or ideological directions - or could somehow eschew ideology altogether.
Why don't those of us who are interested declare our candidacy for that third spot in a hypothetical RHP presidential election and offer a manifesto 10 or so brief policy points covering taxation, spending, social and domestic polices, foreign policy etc. and then see if 'policy blocs' emerge, and then whittle the Third Party field down to two or three, through pull-outs, endorsements, merging manifestos (stealing each others' ideas is perfectly permissible), and then have a vote.
Originally posted by Hugh Glass> term limits
good idea. We have to have a third party now. Don't let this thread die out
I'd start right away, with some term limits, and a review of benefits that congress gets, compared to Joe Average USA.
> a review of benefits that congress
Add more ideas when you have time. Consolidate it into a manifesto later.
let's call it the Life Before Death party.
- Execution of murderers, rapists, drug dealers, fraudsters engaged in government-funded scientific research, tobacco farmers and manufacturers, and pesticide manufacturers is to be expedited and encouraged.
- Funding of research into discorporation, artificial wombs, and consumer space colonization to be increased greatly.
- Divide the countries of the world into three groups. 1. our allies. 2. those who will be permitted to keep their heads of state and executive apparati. 3. all others.
- Double pay and benefits for active and retired military.
Originally posted by zeeblebotLet me soak on that one for a few
let's call it the Life Before Death party.
- Execution of murderers, rapists, drug dealers, fraudsters engaged in government-funded scientific research, tobacco farmers and manufacturers, and pesticide manufacturers is to be expedited and encouraged.
- Funding of research into discorporation, artificial wombs, and consumer space colonization to be in ...[text shortened]... utive apparati. 3. all others.
- Double pay and benefits for active and retired military.
Originally posted by FMFI will steal someone else's idea word for word and pass it off as my own:
stealing each others' ideas is perfectly permissible
> End the legal fiction of corporate citizenship. Corporations are NOT people and we should not pretend that they are. They should not be allowed in any form to participate in the political process.
> Require election of UN representatives.
> Suspend UN membership for countries that DO NOT hold free and fair elections to send reps.
> Promulgate UN Constitution spelling out which powers members states cede to the UN (all other rights reserved)
> Extensive tort reform aimed at reducing the volume of lawsuits (applies in the US, mostly; other countries have this more under control)
> Reduce the defense budget (again, a US thing).
> Reduce tax exemptions for home ownership. Paradoxically, this policy has distorted the housing market (as ALL government screwing around tends to do) by making housing an investment (it isn't). The net effect of which is to keep properties off the market and drive up prices.
> Worldwide promulgation of sustainable/eco fishing policies
> Take steps to penalize any country that does not allow their currency to "float", e.g. aimed primarily at China
> Steadily reduce/eliminate farm subsidies worldwide.
> Reform copyright law so that 17 years after first publication (e.g. same period as a patent), songs, text, photos, films, etc. can be freely copied.
> Ensure citizenship rights for stateless people, e.g. aimed at Palestinians but also others
> Repeal all "anti free-speech" laws such as Holocaust Denial, Internet censorship, etc.
> Appoint UN Border Commission to arbitrate and finally settle all existing border disputes between nations
> Set a standard for tax laws such that any system that cannot be understood by 90% of the citizens of the nation where it applies MUST be simplified. Same thing could go for laws generally.
> Map existing national identity number/card systems into an international identity number/card.
1. Taxation aimed towards redistribution. Aim towards a Gini of 0.20-0.25. Drastic simplification of tax laws, abolishing most deductions and subsidies for both the rich and the poor, e.g. abolishing mortgage deductions. Implement a federal VAT of 20%, abolish state VAT. State budgets funded from the federal government, not from state taxes. Increase taxes on the use of resources directly, not though cap and trade. Aim for the abolishment of farm subsidies and the removal of all trade barriers.
2. Proportional representation in the HoR. Senate is abolished.
3. Drastic cuts in defense spending, cutting spending by at least 75%.
4. Aim towards breaking even in the state budget by 2011.
5. Invest in education and science. Provide access to education to all, so no talent is wasted. Schools not funded by property taxes but by federal funding.
6. Invest in infrastructure, modernize highways and railways and improve road safety.
7. Climate change: investment based on moving towards renewability, not reducing CO2-emissions per se. Subsidize solar panels and electric cars. Invest in new nuclear plants.
8. Access to health care for all. Implement mandatory private insurance.
9. Legalize all drugs, euthanasia and prostitution. Invest in sex education and education about drugs.
10. Simplify the legal system. Abolish punitive damages. Reduce the prison population by fighting poverty (see #1) and focusing more on rehabilitation. Give a passport to illegals who have been working for at least 5 years without getting into trouble with the law. Strict but fair rules for new immigrants.
Originally posted by FMFYa, I can bite on that one. Good idea.
I will steal someone else's idea word for word and pass it off as my own:
[b]> End the legal fiction of corporate citizenship. Corporations are NOT people and we should not pretend that they are. They should not be allowed in any form to participate in the political process.[/b]
Originally posted by FMFDam FMF, I knew you'd come in and stomp my dreams with that one. But seriously now, gun control to some degree is good. I don't need an assault rifle, I don't own one. But I do hunt, and you can believe it, or not. Last season my brother stumbles between a sow grizzly and two cubs, she charged him 2x, and did not kill her.
Question for spruce112358 and KazetNagorra:
Your policy towards gun ownership etc.?
But, some years ago, I saw a good friend take a .357 through his upper chest, after it splintered his left arm. That night I puked from fear. But, if the guy hadn't had the gun, it would have been a knife or tire iron.
So I have wiggle room on that issue.
Originally posted by Hugh GlassI can live with this. Especially if I want to get elected on a Third Party ticket. But I find hysterical opposition to proper background checks etc. hard to understand. And when people start talking about having guns and stockpiling ammo because Adolf Obama and the Communist Congress are soon coming to get 'em, well, I get nosebleeds.
Dam FMF, I knew you'd come in and stomp my dreams with that one. But seriously now, gun control to some degree is good. I don't need an assault rifle, I don't own one. But I do hunt...