What (if any) circumstance would make you leave the dems for a 3rd party?

[debbierlus]

Just wondering, if there is any scenario that would cause a mass exodus of the dems into a third party. The straw that would break the camels back, if you will.

[ulysses]

1. no plans to leave n/t

[debbierlus]

2. I am not advocating leaving.

I am off to a brigade meeting for the dems, this very evening.

I am just wondering, if there comes a point when people will leave the dems because the dems left them.

[ulysses]

3. I didn't think you were.

I have contemplated it in the past, but I don't expect that any of the events that would make me contemplate it at this point (significant party support for a war on Iran might just) will happen.

[debbierlus]

4. It would be tough to stick with the dems, if they laid down on Iran

Or, worse, went along with it.

I don't think that will happen either.

But, if it did, it would make me rethink what my party has become and my options for helping create true political change.

[RethugAssKicker]

16. If we had a different election system such as:

You get 2 votes, if you're 1st vote doesn't win... then your second vote counts.... This would make 3rd parties viable..

The way it currently works... there will always just be a two party system... unless an incredible charismatic figure comes along in that 3rd party!

[endarkenment]

5. They are going to leave I am staying right here. nt.

[Nimrod2005]

6. If Al Gore starts his own new party.....

I will be gone gone gone...

[LostinVA]

7. I did a long time ago -- I'm a member of the DSA

But, I vote Dem.

[mike_c]

8. I've already left....

I voted solidly dem since the 1970's-- thirty years of party loyalty-- but the green party represents my interests and politics much better than today's democrats do. That's sad, but a sign of the times, I suppose. I voted green in 2004 and will likely continue to do so unless the dems nominate true progressives. As I've lamented before, it's ALWAYS "but this election is too important to risk going progressive-- maybe next time if you'll just support the centrist candidate this year...." Problem is, "next time" seems never to come. So now I just vote for the party that supports liberal candidates and doesn't try to present them otherwise.

[bowens43]

9. Yes, the Greens represented all of our interests

when they put Bush in the white house in 2000.

A vote for a green is a vote for a republican. You sir are part of the problem.

[mike_c]

11. and proud of it too....

The "problem," as you define it, is that pesky little thing called "democracy." Representative government. All that jazz. Until the dems begin representing my interests, why should I give them my vote? Remember, I did that for thirty years, and look where it's gotten me-- a democratic leadership that differs from the republican leadership primarily in which corporate lobbyists it's beholden to. A democratic party that refuses to stand up and demand the end of an on-going crime against humanity. A democratic party that is participating in the creation of a fascist American security state. No thanks. I'm very proud to be part of the "problem" opposing that lot.

on edit: and I'm sick and tired of hearing the illogical rhetorical "a vote for a green is a vote for a republican." A vote for a green is the ANTITHESIS of a vote for a republican. A vote for a green is a vote for progressive liberalism. A vote of a green is a vote for what the democratic party once represented.

[iconoclastNYC]

10. D.C. insiders better take note of this sentiment.

It seems to be gaining.

[Rosco T.]

12. Al Gore running as an independant.... n/m

[mcscajun]

13. I'm sure there's a straw out there, but I haven't seen or smelled it yet.

Better to get directly involved with the party and change it from within. If all we do is bitch and stand on the sidelines, writing letters and phoning, that just won't do it. Working within the party and making your voice heard at the ground level might. Critical mass is the name of the game.

Not idle speech here: I'm a district committee member for my town.

[SteppingRazor]

14. No way I'd leave. Splitting the left's vote is what got us in this mess...

in the first place, back in 2000. No thanks.

[datadiva]

15. How would we make the Democratic Party better

by leaving? :eyes:

[TexasLawyer]

17. A Republican split

as well as a Democratic party split. Otherwise a Democratic Party split just elects Republicans.

[ileus]

18. Democrat since 88 here....

[NoPasaran]

19. A necessary condition for me

Would be the actual existence of a viable third party. Little whiny cliques of sandal-shod treehuggers don't strike me as worthwhile.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. I'll be voting...selectively in '06. Anti-war.

I can let them slide on a lot of things. But acquiescence to killing people isn't one of them.

[oc2002]

21. the leadership of the Democratic party is inept at puting together a

real choice for americans tired to the GOP agenda.