Re- registering as a Democrat? You've got to be kidding! I could see re- registering as a Decline to State or Independent or whatever else the state of Missouri allows, but a Democrat?
Fred,
Missouri doesn't do voter registration by party. It's purely a matter of self-identification and what party's organizations one chooses to work with.
Regards,
Tom
I think you trying to influence the Democratic party even in a small way is a good idea. What part of their platform now do you think is close to libertarian? Do you think that "government can do more to help people" is the center peice of their ideology? If so, how do you think this fits with libertarianism?
I probably should have have posited that their ideological center peice may be "government should do more to help people" rather than "government can do more to help people".
of course iunderstand leaving the libertarian party...too many nuts and crazies to ever get anywhere no matter what the election rules are...but the the liberal Dems with the socialist crap..sorry...(Dems used to be one thing but if you're reregistering you should find out what they are now)
Good Luck from a conservative libertarian constitutionalist
What next? A sex change?
Or is it simply a matter of once a politician, always a politician? Funny sort of agorism.
How about becoming a leader of ATTAC? Or a ghost writer for Tony Blair?
With ATTAC you would at least be in the opposition, not in the statist establishment...
or :-((((((((
Chris,
Sex change? Hmm ... hadn't realy thought about it.
As far as the statist establishment is concerned, affiliation with any political party entails some sort of (insert Ted Kennedy-like unintelligible grunt here to indicate that I can't find the right word) with the state and with the establishment. Else, why would the Libertarian Party's PR centerpiece be its list of elected and appointed political officials?
I decided to leave the LP because it wasn't serious about politics. Having done so, I had to decide whether to abandon politics or pursue it elsewhere. I decided upon the latter. And that's what I'm doing. Hell, even Proudhon was once elected to the Assembly.
Wait. I'll say it before you can: "I knew Pierre Proudhon. Pierre Proudhon was a friend of mine. And you, sir, are no Pierre Proudhon."
Regards,
Tom
Tom,
I am glad that you took no offence!
Not only Proudhon, by the way, also Bastiat!
But aren't we living a couple of centuries later and supposedly wiser?
Best wishes to you and to whatever Monica will cross your path. You will have to admit that the Democrats are more fun here than the Republicans. Just think of JFK (the original one, not Kerry).
Chris
PS: Now it's your turn to show up on my new cooperative blog "CB's fireplace"!!! But I don't know if I can accept a Democrat. Jefferson is long dead, you know.
Chris,
I'll try to make it by the cooperative blog. I don't have to be a Democrat while I'm there after all.
Seriously, folks ... this isn't really a huge change for me. Partisan political work is only a small part of what I (and most libertarians) do. I'm just doing that part with a different group, that's all.
Tom Knapp
This is THE IDEA. The idea that this nation needs.
WIth the histories of both parties, you are spot on. I consider myself libertarian, but I suppose, the "left-wing" sort, if that comes close (I don't really believe in the political spectrum). I favor a cooperative commonwealth (Hey! Ignore the connotations), with only a corporate and proprietary sector in society, and a generally minarchist state. Roger McCain's ideas to me are the cloest thing to "pure" libertarianism as well as the closest realization of the American dream, at least the Jeffersonian one.
The Democrats need balls (and brains) if they want to win elections. There was an 1982 article written by the journalist Sam Smith that is still relevant today and brilliantly spot-on about this very topic.
The Democrats need to be the new party of liberty. Or rather, the old party of liberty as they used to be. And it is very much possible, through the grassroots.
I'm pleased that there are those out there who h
I honestly respect your decision to leave the LP. But I have to say that, from a college students' perspective, the Democratic Party isn't very likely to move toward the libertarian ideal anytime soon. I say this because I've dwelt among both Dems and Reps at the college level, and crazy as it may sound, young Republicans are MORE OPEN-MINDED than young Democrats right now. You'll get Democrats and other "left" leaners to agree with you on marijuana, gay marriage, and a select few other issues. But mention that you're a Christian, and you get every intellectual insult possible. Mention that you're into that whole "free market" thing, and you get equated with Gilded Age-era "fat white guys" and slammed with literally Marxist rhetoric. And for God's sake, don't EVER mention free market health care or education around a College Democrat...
Meanwhile, I've gotten positive feedback on ALL of the above issues from young Republicans. Make no mistake: the Moral Majority only
(cont'd)
thrives among the party "lemmings" and the current power-mongers (much as pointless idealism only thrives among the elite in the LP).
I've seen the future of the two parties. The future of the Dems is British Social Democracy. The future of the GOP is up in the air, but has a chance -- a CHANCE -- of moving toward real conservatism.
That said, I'd rather work WITH Republicans than AS a Republican. And on the national scene right now, I can certainlu identify with your goals. Historically, you're correct. I only question how lasting any change in the Democratic Party will be, given the leanings of the rising generation.
Good luck, Mr. Knapp. If you have any use for a young rhetorician anytime soon, you've got my contact info.
-Thom Gray
Editor-in-Chief, Volunteer Voice
VP and Founder, UTK College Libertarians
Considering the current controversy regarding the lead stories sent via FND, I'd like to welcome you out of the closet. Sorry Tom, I respect your anti-war opinions, but that is simply no excuse to go Dem. No where in the halls of the DNC are there any whisper of "small government." The Dems will use you to help end the war, so they can spend that money on more domestic government. If I am to have a large government, I would rather it be used overseas than here.
http://flashoffreedom.com/index....diot/trackback/
Wow. First person I ever knew to leave the LP for the Democratic and in my home state no less. Good luck to you in accomplishing something. I'd love to be able to choose from two acceptable candidates and a fringie anarchist purist in a statewide race someday.
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