party crashing

I was commenting on friend & hero ntodd's blog post in which he makes a quick reflection on the electoral process he's just endured. Todd (easily one of the smartest people I've ever met, and a best friend since college) ran for a position in the Vermont state congress as an independent; in this, his first race for office, he lost, but one can only imagine how big a learning experience it has all been.

Anyway, one consideration has been about our two-party system, and the huge odds stacked against an independent or "3rd-party" candidate. On Nov. 2nd, I found myself voting straight-up democrat, sadly ignoring independent/3rd party candidates altogether. Just the idea that our state might vote in another Republican scared me into feeling desperate. It didn't matter what democrat it was, I was going to vote for the candidate most likely to beat the wingnut.

While independent candidates can win races, our two-party system is so strong and entrenched that it prevents just about every great candidate from being considered. But who gets to decide the parties' platforms? The Tea-Party nutjobs that won their elections generally ran as Republicans, not independents. They've tugged the party even further to the right (over the edge). And of course, the Dems have been pulled to the right for the past 3 decades. But, Dennis Kucinich is a Democrat, and he's ultra-progressive compared to most of the rest of the party (on the national front at least). For my friend Todd, the label of Democrat might be an uncomfortable fit, but, these labels can be changed, and at least used.

The moneyed interests that control our government (through their purchased representatives) will resist the attempts of true progressives from crashing either major party. But with enough support from actual people that will actually vote, a major party candidacy can be taken. The question is, how (besides playing on people's emotions, fears, hatred, ignorance, and so on)? For a progressive that truly wants to improve this world, it would rely on how well he or she could inform the public about their own issues, and for them to see that the standard politicians they're electing aren't working on their behalf.

I think that a new model for a progressive politician should include the willingness and ability to make a huge initiative of just informing the public on the issues, their details, nuances, and most importantly, of the agendas involved of those making decisions that are powerfully affecting our lives. Ideally the news media would perform this service, but so often I find the need to turn to internet sources (such as blogs, activist sites, and videos/documentaries, which are often hard to find). The endless lies and manipulations must be countered by endless information, and the Democrats have failed miserably in this department for years now.

If a progressive candidate can communicate to people effectively, giving them fact over fiction, explanation over exploitation, and tirelessly (emphasis on that word), then the people might be persuaded to vote for someone that sincerely cares about them and their world. In our structured political landscape, taking on the label of Democrat - as lame as it can be - could be the key for an independent. Dragging the power of the Democratic party back to the left may be the only way to save this country, and that can only be done if enough people understand our own issues; hell, for some, if they can even get a grip on reality.

(For a look at my pal Todd, check out one of his local TV panel discussions. It's 10 minutes long, and the first 7 minutes is spent listening to others droning along without saying anything. Then Todd speaks. The man is smart. And he has a beard.)