Reply #4: I mostly agree with you -- but no third parties, please [View All]

[starroute]

The party system is a death trap. It's rigged against third parties -- and at best ties you into the electoral timetable, jumping through fundraising hoops, finding "credible" candidates who might appeal to a wider audience, and any number of other losing games.

What we *do* need is a mass movement. We need to articulate a progressive agenda that clearly articulates what we see as essential reform, so that the news media can't get away with describing the public option as a "far left" alternative. We need the ability to turn out significant numbers of people to demonstrate public support or opposition whenever the government is thinking about doing something either half decent or notably stupid. And we need to have a recognition by everybody being shafted under current conditions that we're all in this together.

Some catchy signs and slogans, like the 60's peace signs, wouldn't hurt either, but I think that stuff has to develop organically. Just getting everybody on more or less the same page -- and redefining Obama not as a savior but as someone we may be able to lean on effectively if we have our act together -- would be a good first step.