I'm very much afraid that third parties in this country don't stand much of a chance. That's just the way the system works (or doesn't), especially when a large chunk of the media is owned by supporters of one of the two major parties—a third party just doesn't get air-time, and that's one of the major factors in winning an election in this country. Tell me, quick: what were the names of the presidential candidates put forth by the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, and the Constitution Party? Didn't hear those names in the news very often, did you!?

I generally advocate the position taken by Thom Hartmann (clearly explained HERE), that, in view of the sad history of third parties in this country, the most practical and effective way to bring about the changes we want, is to join the Democratic Party (the more progressive of the two parties, which, granted, ain't sayin' much!) and work to reform that party, bringing it back to the ideals that they used to have. Howard Dean is a good start, and that's hopeful. There are others in the Democratic Party also, like Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards, who, if not outright progressive, at least lean more in that direction than, say, John Kerry—although if you were to point him in the right direction and give him a shove. . . .

Speaking of Thom Hartman, if you're into graphic novels and such, take a look at THIS.

If I were going to join a third party, it would not be the Libertarian Party, it would be the Green Party (hi, there, Bobert!). The Green Party doesn't hide behind a lot of political rhetoric. Like Harry Truman, whom I quoted (yet again!) above, the Greens are more than happy to have you know exactly where they stand in relation to the two major parties. In capsule form, here are the Ten Key Values. No wishy-washy double talk to cover hidden agendas there. Right out, in plain language, for all to see.

I sorta wonder what might happen if the members of the Green Party all joined the Democratic Party and started kickin' some butt!

If you're a little fuzzy about why the United States has only two viable political parties, and various other aspects of what we like to think of as democracy—or if you think you know exactly what democracy is—I highly recommend First Democracy : The Challenge of an Ancient Idea by Paul Woodruff HERE. Is the United States really a democratic country? Read the book and then you decide.

Don Firth