Has it come time for a third party that represents the moderate view?

[Captain America]

I am a Blue Dog Democrat because my views transcend both sides of the spectrum.

Good on you Blue Dog. My conservative friends call me a libbo and my liberal friends call me a red-neck conservative. It ain't easy being us, no?

As it was written in the 1956 Republican Platform, under the leadership of the great American hero and president, Dwight D. Eisenhower,

"Our great President Dwight D. Eisenhower has counseled us further: "In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human. In all those things which deal with people's money, or their economy, or their form of government, be conservative."

I'm an old school conservative myself. Back when "live and let live" was the flavor of the day. Today's conservatives stand against just about everything the old school conservatives stood for. It's like the parties did a flip-flop.

 

[Jessie C]

I can't vote on this because I'm not sure, and that wasn't an option.

I saw something interesting this morning on Smerconish on CNN. According to recent polls 46% of Americans identify as independent, not completely on board with either party.

That's how I feel. SOoooo, if there are so many of us, why is there no one to represent us?

Because the kind of candidate we would choose would not be accepted by either party.

I'm still mad at Dwayne Johnson for not running. I think he would properly represent us independents.

I've attached a link if anyone wants to know his political leanings.

Everything to know about Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's political affiliation

PREVIOUSLY, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson contemplated a potential run for US President. The Fast and Furious alum has admitted that he gave the idea some thought, but has opted not to purs…

www.the-sun.com

 

[Deuce]

If the two major political parties continue to pull their platforms out to represent the views of their Left or Right extremes, would you favor and support a third party that has a Moderate/Centrist platform?

This narrative tends to be based on the absurd idea that Joe Biden is a leftist.

The "moderate" you are pining for is a conservative.

 

[Deuce]

I can't vote on this because I'm not sure, and that wasn't an option.

I saw something interesting this morning on Smerconish on CNN. According to recent polls 46% of Americans identify as independent, not completely on board with either party.

That's how I feel. SOoooo, if there are so many of us, why is there no one to represent us?

Because the kind of candidate we would choose would not be accepted by either party.

I'm still mad at Dwayne Johnson for not running. I think he would properly represent us independents.

I've attached a link if anyone wants to know his political leanings.

Everything to know about Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's political affiliation

PREVIOUSLY, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson contemplated a potential run for US President. The Fast and Furious alum has admitted that he gave the idea some thought, but has opted not to purs…

www.the-sun.com

Can you identify a single actual policy stance for The Rock?

 

[Blue Dog]

Good on you Blue Dog. My conservative friends call me a libbo and my liberal friends call me a red-neck conservative. It ain't easy being us, no?

As it was written in the 1956 Republican Platform, under the leadership of the great American hero and president, Dwight D. Eisenhower,

"Our great President Dwight D. Eisenhower has counseled us further: "In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human. In all those things which deal with people's money, or their economy, or their form of government, be conservative."

I'm an old school conservative myself. Back when "live and let live" was the flavor of the day. Today's conservatives stand against just about everything the old school conservatives stood for. It's like the parties did a flip-flop.

Nicely stated!

 

[Jessie C]

Can you identify a single actual policy stance for The Rock?

Read the link. It's all there.

 

[justabubba]

i believe those who identify with the GQP are about 25% of total voters
and those who identify with the democrat party are about 25% of total voters
elections are determined by the remaining voters who are not aligned with either party
those independents elected tRump in 2016 and reversed their mistake in 2020
seems to be working

but if a third party which captures my political tendencies emerges, then i will join it
there was a time when i identified as libertarian
squamish and nun-of-the-above would never disclose where their parties were being held
^ shared to explain that i have no opposition to third parties

 

[Deuce]

Read the link. It's all there.

No, it's not. What is there are some vague "I'm a centrist" rhetoric carefully designed to avoid angering anyone in particular.

He doesn't mention a single actual policy. Does he want to raise taxes? Lower them? Is he for universal healthcare? What does he want to do with green energy? Foreign relations? What to do about Social Security's fiscal situation?

You know this is how we got Ronald Reagan, right? People liking a candidate just because he was charismatic.

 

[Lisa]

If the two major political parties continue to pull their platforms out to represent the views of their Left or Right extremes, would you favor and support a third party that has a Moderate/Centrist platform?

The current DNC are corporate moderates. What we need is a real progressive/social democratic part.

 

[Jessie C]

No, it's not. What is there are some vague "I'm a centrist" rhetoric carefully designed to avoid angering anyone in particular.

He doesn't mention a single actual policy. Does he want to raise taxes? Lower them? Is he for universal healthcare? What does he want to do with green energy? Foreign relations? What to do about Social Security's fiscal situation?

You know this is how we got Ronald Reagan, right? People liking a candidate just because he was charismatic.

YADAYADAYADA...it's a moot point dude, he's NOT running!

 

[iguanaman]

First, Trump is a moderate. look what that got him.

Second, the system is hardwired so that there can be at most two parties over the long term. it's because every election is winner takes all.


Neither party is centrist. Both are dominated by their respective hard cores.

For example, Take a true centrist like Joe Manchin and see how the party and the Democratic voters treated him. The same applies to Susan Callins and the Republicans.

LOL Trump is a moderate nazi like there is such a thing.

 

[TobyOne]

Bernie Sanders should run 3rd party and have AOC as his running mate.

 

[Craig234]

The Democratic party IS the centrist party. America does not have a viable leftist party.

We have the Progressive side of the Democratic Party, but I'd argue THEY are the centrists, with the other side the corporatist Democrats and of course the oligarch Republicans - still leaving us without a viable leftist party.

 

[Craig234]

The Democrats are a fairly moderate party, but they have let down the working class in recent years. Biden is trying to remedy that.

Sort of. But he's stopped by falling just short of the votes needed, and not seeming to try hard to fix that.

 

[Razoo]

Have at it. How many elections before a third party is an actual contender?

Getting a third party at ballot level is impossible. Which is why there is not at the moment. This third party concept is not new by any stretch. The former republican party and the democratic party set the rules for
doing so which in reality neither wanted any new competition.

Meanwhile the RNC became a joke and the DNC is doing the same. WE THE VOTERS don't need to wait for the big two nod to vote in "third Party thinkers' WE THE VOTERS need to recognize these other thinkers then
vote them into office. These people will likely not be the largest spenders.

Third and/or alternative party thinkers do run for office however voters blow them off as in will not vote for
them. Instead continue to vote for the largest spenders thus nothing changes thus we get status quo politicians.

The Fascist Party took over the republican party by way of a few billionaires eliminating republicans from the
party. Yes we are talking Koch Oil money, CocoCola and other high dollar corporate money such as COORS, some big bank money, Wal-Mart(Waltons), Erik Prince family money and other very familiar corporate money names.

WE THE VOTERS don't need to wait for the big two nod to vote in "third Party thinkers' WE THE VOTERS need to recognize these other thinkers then vote them into office.

 

[Razoo]

Sort of. But he's stopped by falling just short of the votes needed, and not seeming to try hard to fix that.

Absolutely correct. In reality Biden has been associated with The Third Way and Democratic Leadership Council as was Bill Clinton which are way far to the right. I suggest that Biden and Clinton pulled Obama to the right.

Koch dollars influence both The Third Way and Democratic Leadership Council

 

[ModernDiogenes]

Only one Party wants to LOWER taxes for ALL taxpayers, and end redistribution of wealth - - the Libertarian Party.

I nominate the Libertarian Party for the official third Party - - the only truly moderate party..

Well, first off, the Libertarian Party's origin story is a bit shaky. Then there are many things that common sense suggests the US citizenry wants that Libertarians oppose.

Polling suggests most US citizens want:

1) Some form of common sense gun control. This usually means a waiting period, a psych and criminal history background check and registration of handguns.

Libertarians oppose all gun legislation.

2) Comprehensive immigration reform rather than porous borders.

Libertarians support wide open immigration.

3) Economic reform that regulate markets keeping them free but refereeing when folks are trying to cheat the system to their advantage. Under the idea that to avoid the well heeled gaming the system some policing in protection of "the little guy" needs to be in place.

Libertarians would have no government involvement in markets at all. No referee. Leading to might makes right markets.

4) No social nets.

Everyone is responsible for themselves. Self sustainability and self responsibility are great. but pure Libertarianism takes this to the ultimate level.

5) No taxation.

Pure Libertarianism doesn't believe in the power of the state to tax.


Most common sense, moderate, folks think these things need fixing but their idea of fixing them is not the Libertarian notion of fixing them.

 

[Razoo]

The current DNC are corporate moderates. What we need is a real progressive/social democratic part.

thumbs up .......

 

[NolanVoyd]

If the two major political parties continue to pull their platforms out to represent the views of their Left or Right extremes, would you favor and support a third party that has a Moderate/Centrist platform?

The democrats represent the moderate view.

Biden is a life long moderate.

 

[ModernDiogenes]

The current DNC are corporate moderates. What we need is a real progressive/social democratic part.

I would give you the same answer I gave to SkyChief. That is fine for those who think that way, but polling suggests that isn't how the majority feel, and certainly not the "common sense" moderates I make reference to would have things solved.

Our two major political parties had much overlap way back when. That overlap tended to be where the parties met at the moderate level and where much common sense was located as well. In pulling to the two extremes of Left and Right that overlap has disappeared. That segment, where the majority of us think in terms of politics, has become vastly underrepresented.

Hence my suggesting either forcing the two parties back toward center, or creating a third party that does represent the Moderate POV.

 

[trouble13]

Have at it. How many elections before a third party is an actual contender?

Ross perot is the only one I can think of and he was really more of an alternative Republican because everyone hated Bush Sr.

 

[Dans La Lune]

Lets also remember that Moderate or Centrist only means "socially liberal, fiscally conservative" in the media and nowhere else. It's not Blue Dog Democrats (right-wingers), who represent no one but themselves and corporate interests. The actual center is far closer to where Bernie Sanders is than Joe Manchin.

So if you're arguing for a more progressive party than Democrats (80%-90% of which are moderate by the media's definition), lets have at it.

 

[Razoo]

Frankly I would be fine with no party. Then when primaries come around I could vote for the best candidate IMO.

I would be fine with strict guidelines on campaign spending.

I would be fine placing a ban on special interest donations

I would be fine with a ban on corporate donations

I would be fine with no more presidential debates

I would be fine with repeal of the Electoral College

I would be fine with repeal of the supreme court as these people are nothing but puppets

I would be fine with codifying Women's Right To Choose

I would be fine with prosecuting those pushing Voter Suppression plus a mandated 5 year prison sentence

I would be fine with never bailing out any banks or corporations

I would be fine with COIFYING Medicare Single Payer Insurance Immediately

What does codifying the law mean?


To codify means to arrange laws, rules, or regulations into a systematic code. The process of codification can involve taking judicial decisions or legislative acts and turning them into codified law. This process does not necessarily create new law, it merely arranges existing law, usually by subject, into a code.

codify | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute​

 

[ModernDiogenes]

Lets also remember that Moderate or Centrist only means "socially liberal, fiscally conservative" in the media and nowhere else. It's not Blue Dog Democrats (right-wingers), who represent no one but themselves and corporate interests. The actual center is far closer to where Bernie Sanders is than Joe Manchin.

So if you're arguing for a more progressive party than Democrats (80%-90% of which are moderate by the media's definition), lets have at it.

Most of the folks who I would label "common sense moderates" are not purely democratic socialists.

They favor things like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP but are not pure democratic socialists who would have a more heavily regulated economy. They want referees, not an occupying force.

Further, while being Left leaning socially they tend to be Right leaning on spending. They want budget cuts. They just want the wealthy to pay their fair share and they want them to go next, as social net programs have been cut already. They want balanced state and federal budgets. They want government to run, fiscally, the way these voters balance their budgets - when they are balanced effectively - in their homes. There haven't been polls on this but if there were I would imagine they would prefer a "middle out" federal economic policy as opposed to trickle down.

I understand this segment as I am of this segment. I am Left of Center leaning on most social issues and Right of Center on government spending. I want fiscal conservatism, but I want social net programs that actually work. I support the 2nd Amendment but I want common sense gun regulation. I want LGBTQ-etc rights and racism to end but I don't want to keep hearing that somehow my taking breath and simply existing is the cause of their problems. I want a federal economic policy that knows that if the national economy is consumer oriented it is best to support those who, in their aggregate, do most of the consuming - the middle and working classes.

I am the voter I am talking about. We do, especially of late, declare ourselves as Independent and do not favor either party. We measure them on a candidate by candidate basis. We are the swing vote (when we vote, but the problem is not enough of us do), and will be deciding national elections and state elections where gerrymandering hasn't totally gamed the system.

I suggest we are the majority viewpoint and we are, currently, underrepresented. We want a party that hears US, not the fringes, and gives us a reason to get back into the game.

 

[mrjurrs]

Getting a third party at ballot level is impossible. Which is why there is not at the moment. This third party concept is not new by any stretch. The former republican party and the democratic party set the rules for
doing so which in reality neither wanted any new competition.

Meanwhile the RNC became a joke and the DNC is doing the same. WE THE VOTERS don't need to wait for the big two nod to vote in "third Party thinkers' WE THE VOTERS need to recognize these other thinkers then
vote them into office. These people will likely not be the largest spenders.

Third and/or alternative party thinkers do run for office however voters blow them off as in will not vote for
them. Instead continue to vote for the largest spenders thus nothing changes thus we get status quo politicians.

The Fascist Party took over the republican party by way of a few billionaires eliminating republicans from the
party. Yes we are talking Koch Oil money, CocoCola and other high dollar corporate money such as COORS, some big bank money, Wal-Mart(Waltons), Erik Prince family money and other very familiar corporate money names.

WE THE VOTERS don't need to wait for the big two nod to vote in "third Party thinkers' WE THE VOTERS need to recognize these other thinkers then vote them into office.

Like I said, have at it. I wish our Congress was more parliamentarian in representation than they are, but it's just not going to happen in the current political environment. CA and FL both have extensive coastlines. Will they ever work together on common interests? They should, but they don't.