A New Political Party

For the first time in many years we now have the opportunity to start a new political party.  The statistics support this possibility.

This data from Rasmussen Reports dated March 1, 2009.

“Currently, 38.7% of Americans say they are Democrats. That’s down from 40.8% a month ago. It’s also the first time the Democratic total has slipped below the 40% mark since the Republican convention bounce last September. … In March, 33.2% of American adults say they are Republicans. That’s down from 33.6% a month ago. … A growing number – 28.0% – say they’re not affiliated with either major party.”

On This Week on ABC television it was reported that a survey showed that only 21% of registered voters consider themselves Republicans.

The Republican Party has become a regional party that has lost another senator (Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania) and has no Congressmen from the Northeast in the House of Representatives.  The west coast is dominated by Democrats and so is Michigan and Illinois.  No wonder the Democrats have a majority in the House.  The largest population centers, with the exception of Texas, are represented by Democrats.

The Democratic Party is almost totally dominated by labor unions and “liberal left” special interest groups (think ACLU, Sierra Club).  Moderates, who swing from Democrat to Republican based on candidate positions rather than party affiliation, are choosing the Democrats because the Republican Party has been taken over by “right wing” and “Christian conservatives” that do not want to tolerate any dissention among their membership.

Republican Party activists are primarily focused on just a few principles that the majority of American do not consider primary to their well being.  Those views are:

1. Reduced taxes.

2. Smaller government.

3. No abortions.

4. No gay marriage.

5. No gun controls.

6. Support for White Christian values.

With the views of each of the primary political parties so divergent, this seems to be the time for a new political party.  This would not be a party built around one individual but instead a party about ideas that that are more in line with the growing number of independent voters.  Those “middle of the roaders” who are not comfortable with either the Democrats or Republicans.  This is a party that would hold some of the value of both Democrats or Republicans but would look for leaders that reflect the growing numbers of people who want a more moderate, more inclusive political party.

This may not be doable because political parties need financial backing.  That backing would destroy what most of us want.  A government that cares about most Americans.