| But what populists of the left and right CAN agree on is that we find ourselves shut out and forgotten by those we help put into power. We are used, abused and refused by those we spend our dollars, time and sweat to get elected. And furthermore, the system by which we elect our leaders is rigged to keep it this way. Rigged by those same establishment Democrats and Republicans to protect the hegemony of their two-party system. A system that looks more and more like a stage for kubuki theater politics in the name of perpetuating plutocracy.
There has been a steady, if weak, push from the left to reform elections in this country in order to allow for a third party. I can't say whether there has been a similar push from the right, or from the Libertarians. But what is different about this moment in time is that large portions of the two major parties are now feeling shit on by their respective parties' leadership and establishment elected officials. The veil has been lifted and it's become evident to both Democratic and Republican voters that the game is rigged for the plutocratic elite. This is the point in time...when both parties' bases find themselves left out in the cold, that the two-party system can be chipped away at. I think it is clear that there is commonality of purpose among all groups that find themselves outside or just left out by the major parties...not just we progressive Democrats, but the Greens, Libertarians, Tea Partiers, Constitution Partiers, et al.
Unlike many issues that outrage populists on either end of the spectrum ,the barriers erected by the two major parties to third- (or fourth- or fifth-) party participation in our political system have solutions we can all agree on.
Simplifying ballot access: It is just too hard to get on the ballot in many many states. This is mostly a problem for Presidential elections, but could be made easier for all offices.
Instant Run-off voting: Regardless of your affiliation, getting IRV passed will improve your chances of getting votes, since those votes won't be coming at the cost of a major-party candidate.
Broadening the legal definition of bribery: Whether this is feasible or not, I'm not sure. But unlike public financing of elections (which will only get support from liberals) it's a way to limit the money in politics that we can all agree on. When a Congressman works to pass a bill, then turns around the gets hired by the company that benefits from that bill...that needs to be investigated as BRIBERY. Yes, I'm thinking of you, Billy Tauzin.
Reforms we probably can't work together with Tea Partiers on would include:
Killing the Electoral College: This is pretty much just supported by the Blue States, I'm pretty sure. The EC gives small (Red) states more power since they have proportionally more Electors than the big states. You might be able to convince some Tea Partiers who are more centrist that it's just simpler and more democratic to elect the President by popular vote, however. Might work. |
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