I wouldn't be surprised if this topic is closed too, but here's the scenario:

Another major party is arising all on its own - not out of the Republican or Democratic party. It has captured your attention so much that you have changed, either from Dem. or Repub. to this new political party.

Here is where you imagination comes in: 1) what issues does this new party have (that maybe your party doesn't) that grabs you attention so much? 2) what would be the name of this political party?

The new party does not support classic career politicians. It supports people who are representative of the general population. The party has term limits.

The party takes no stand on most issues whatsoever but favors a severe reduction of the federal government with the majority of power going back to the states, leaving just the few functions of specified in the Constitution at the federal level: national defense, a federal court system, maybe a post office.

They are called the New Federalists.

After posting, I decided to think for a while about the party that would grab my attention, and I believe the platform would have the following:

*a Christian background, with humility towards those less fortunate
*eradication of the electoral college- I hate that thing!
*a diverse cabinet- and not just white, black. I mean some income discrepancies
*a global strategy for peace - probably very intertwined with the UN and NATO
*some sort of method to get the opinion of the consensus at times other than just Presidential elections
*tax free holiday - preferably before school begins each year; it gave a jump start to the economy in Georgia anyway...
-and if at all possible-
FREE ICE CREAM DAY!

okay maybe that last one was a little overboard, but I know that would convince me

The name: The Utopian Party

for the amount of people there are dems and republicans, i dont think there will really ever be another major party such as them.

They would favor fiscal sanity, but this doesn't necessarily preclude social activism. But any bills put forth would have to go through a cost-benefit analysis, and have a firm plan in place for their long-term funding, as well as a definite time frame for removal. They would have a plan to eliminate the national debt (does it bother anyone else that we actually have the poorest government on the face of the earth?). There would be no negative campaigning--if your plan can't get you elected, you've got the wrong plan. They would have a plan for maintaining our economic position long-term.

At this point I'd have to think they'd be the PipeDream party.

1) what issues does this new party have (that maybe your party doesn't) that grabs you attention so much? 2) what would be the name of this political party?

1. I would like to see a political party that isn't beholden to special interest groups such as labor unions, big business, wealthy contributors or single-issue organizations. Negative campaigning would be a big no-no. The party would be progressive on social issues, but fiscally responsible and would never propose a program without fully funding it. The party would seek consensus on its central issues and strive to do so with fairness, balance and respect for all sides of the debate.

Campaigns would be short, issue-oriented and avoid empty platitudes, mudslinging and vague, evasive answers from the candidates. It would be supportive of the President when he is right and critical (but respectful) when he is wrong. Congressmen would be limited to three consecutive terms (6 yrs) and Senators two terms (12 yrs). Ditto for presidential candidates. That's it. Then you've got to go back to work in the real world as the founding fathers wanted with the idea of citizen politicians.

2. The name of the party would be The American Progressive Party.

What issues does this new party have (that maybe your party doesn't) that grabs you attention so much?

• Education would be the number one priority. Public schools would get a complete overhaul and funding would be allocated by people who actually KNOW where funding is needed and where funding is being wasted. Spending would be based upon a predicted (not just a number pulled out of a hat...an accurate preduction) enrollment for the following year(s). If there are projected to be 600 students at a given elementary school, the school will get funding equal to some X amount of dollars (per student amount) times 600. Cost of living would be figured in to this insomuchas it is necessary (teacher salary, etc.).
• Healthcare would be the number two priority (though not far behind education). A complete overhaul of the current healthcare system would be needed so that a bare minimum healthcare plan is made available to ALL. I am not an expert on the current healthcare system, but it seems obviousl we're spending too much money in the wrong areas since so many people are uninsured. Health insurance for all would be a top priority and the means with which to achieve this would be researched extensively to examine cost-effectiveness AND potential quality of care
• GLBT equal rights would be an essential part of the party platform. Marriage rights affording the same legal/financial benefits of marriage would be of the utmost importance. NO new "term" for marriage either. Marriage is marriage. Pretty self-explanatory.
• Balancing the budget would be a main priority as well. Couldn't tell ya how, but that's not my job now is it?
• I know I'm forgetting things, but my stomach is growling as it is dinner time here and the smell of the meatloaf is wafting through the room and making me forget what I was thinking

What would be the name of this political party?

Not a clue! Revisionist would be good name in terms of definitions but it's already associated. The party would need a name with no past associations...something uplifting...can't think of anything at the moment. Nighttimer's "American Progressive Party" would work for me, also

NT,

Very interesting how, even though we are from opposite camps currently, we have such similar desires for what we'd like our party to be. I imagine the same could be said for many others on this site, and in the general population. Think the politicians will ever 'get it'?

It's funny Hobbes, I was thinking the same thing while reading it today. You know what the problem would be though: neither party would support it b/c neither one thought of it!

A European-style social democratic party, modified by the spirit of libertarianism that marks the differenece between all American and European politics, and funded by an eccentric billionaire so they had as much of a fair hearing as the Republicans and Democrats to their right, would arise, with a policies calling for straightforward progressive taxation (tax the rich more, not less); healthcare (work towards a minimum of free-at-the-point-of-delivery primary and emergency healthcare to start, followed by a comprehensive nigh quality healthcare system); infrastructure investment (public roads in the USA are in a dreadful state - more potholes than asphalt).

Also, a clean-up campaign in Washington and a state level to remove the influence of party donors on party policy, perhaps by statutory funding of parties, statutory requirements to provide broadcast airtime to parties during elections, etc.

I'd be interested in seeing if the American public would be quite as hostile to such a platform as we might assume. I have a hunch that, bombastic and slapdash with facts though he is, Michael Moore may be correct that mainstream American opinion is rather more left-leaning than anyone assumes (i.e. the political centre in the population at large is a little to the left of the political centre in expressed politics). I don't know whether it is or not, but I can't think of a better way to find out.

I have two answers to this question: One that I like to see happeon, but I don't think is at all likely, and one that could realistically happen. It probably won't, but I don't see any reason why it couldn't, given the right person(s) coming along to lead it.

The unlikely answer: The Libertarian Party, with its current platform. That I consider this so unlikely, as much as I'd desire it, is why I work mostly with the Republican Party.

The possible answer: A libertarian-leaning centrist party, similar to Jesse Ventura's Independence Party in Minnesota. I could see the same scenario that elected him being played out nationally, right up to the Electoral College, at which point it would be thrown to the House of Representatives, since it would have a plurality of Electoral Votes, but probably not a majority. Such a party would cross liberal/conservative lines by being, for example, pro-choice and also pro-gun. I have no idea what it'd be called, and BTW, I'm pretty sure the right person to lead it would not be Ventura, but it'd be someone else who is charismatic and could inspire habitual non-voters to vote.

This party emphasizes small gov't while still keeping America's moral fiber entact, and also without making us a theocracy. It understands that most of the time the gov't does not belong in my home and should stay away from me as much as possbile.

It'll be called the New Whig Party [or Neo-Whig, that kinda sounds cool too ]

Edited to add:
Charismatic and inspiring, you might as well just say Conservpat.

edited to add the wink, to show my charisma.

CP