The Losing Battle of Small Parties
Longbaugh
I don't get this whole anti-USWP fervor. It isn't that difficult to mobilize people into a consolidated party if you've got the right people behind a serious and responsibly-consolidated agenda.
It's not our fault that there's SEVEN (relevant) conservative parties splitting votes whenever possible. It's not our fault that the AAP can't decide between whether it's going to be UIP, LiB, or even USWP. I mean, the America's Advancement Party is supposed to be "far-left" but it's routinely more "center-right" than certainly just about any other party other than maybe the Conservative Party and the Nationalist Party.
Voters know where the USWP stands every election, and that's absolutely key to electoral success. With all of the aforementioned parties, candidates are routinely being sponsored by, or running for other competing parties (and competing party lines), that it so often becomes ridiculous. And, quite frankly underestimates and treats every new(er) party member like an infant.
Like my man above, you're arguments are so often rooted in complete misunderstandings of issues at hand and, consequently, so are your opinions formed from those arguments. In case you're not following me, the picture above shows a McCain/Palin voter wearing a shirt that exemplifies the guy's racism likely without him knowing it... seeing as how Chariman Mao was Chinese and "Dear Leader" is what North Koreans call Kim Jong-Il, their leader.
The time for party organizing and collecting was months ago. Now it's time to consolidate into four strong adversarial parties with a possible fifth. My choices would be the United States Workers Party, the Conservative Party, the Libertarian Party, and the United Independent Party. Maybe a possible fourth party, the Federalists, could be involved. I like Federalists even if I don't agree with 90% of what they say. They're essentially what RL republicans have always idealized themselves as but have just never had the balls to exemplify. In RL they're also legendarily mislead/confused by the way, because they fancy themselves libertarians when it's politically viable.
All of you Greens (seriously, there's no place fore a Green Party on eRepublik), Socialist Freedoms, Democrats and Republicans (which are the USWP and CvP, respectively), U.S. Capitalists (aka, Federalists with separatist complexes), InBloodGodWeTrusters (Blade superfans, I'm guessing)... all of you need to take into consideration your longevity in a growing eRepublik.
Note: I'm in favor of the Umbrella Research Party staying around. We need at least one dark and shadowy organization party in the eUS to threaten our every existence with their very existence. All the rest I mentioned, you need to consolidate into one or two of the aforementioned like-minded parties or you'll always be mistaking my party's competence and highly-responsible leadership with vote moving and congressional strong-arming. And, you'll always be losing.
Those types of complaints usually only come from people who aren't in congress anyhow. But, aren't they the ones occupying all of the other useless parties? Maybe it's just a continuously self-fulfilling prophecy.
Whatever the case, I've got no problem with USWP dominance in congress. After all, the eUS seems to have its best months under a USWP congressional majority... and a USWP president.
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EDIT
In the circus that was Socialist Freedom Party members losing their minds (and my respect) that I had the gall to dedicate all of 0.5% of my article to them I actually had a very intelligent, cordial, and congress-worthy citizen, Johnathan Tyler, respond to me with logic, a clear head, and a good argument. If people like him make up the body of the U.S. Capitalist Party then make no mistake, they have a future.
Go to his newspaper The Private Choice. Read, vote, and subscribe.
Comments
Read, agreed, voted, subscribed.
Parties that put in the hard yards should reap the rewards - hence the large USWP presence in Congress or the significant results achieved by the Federalists from #6.
You are dead right, Longbaugh, although I'd prefer any coalescing to be voluntary and at its own pace.
Nice man!
@ wingfield
If it weren't completely voluntary and at its own pace then it shouldn't happen. I'm trying to wake up party presidents who are willing to listen that such an idea as this can, and would only benefit EVERYONE involved.
We'll never have a CvP president—not that I'd want one—unless he/she runs as a Libertarian. That's a problem no matter which way you look at it.
Bravo!
I couldn't care less what the 'other' (they still exist? ;p) parties do in regards to how they organise and present themselved. The one party I think has done an outstandin job is the Feds.
A truely independent yet strong and intelligent party.
Voted and Subscribed!
The guy in the picture may be ignorant about the conflicted references on his T-shirt, but that hardly makes him racist. Not that North Korea isn't just a puppet of China anyway.
If a 2 party systems evolves then so be it. If it doesn't then stop biznitching.
"The guy in the picture may be ignorant about the conflicted references on his T-shirt, but that hardly makes him racist. Not that North Korea isn't just a puppet of China anyway."
I agree. When people compare Bush to Hitler, Are they being racist towards Germans?
The SFP is not simply a version of the USWP. It has a purpose and direction that is different from that of the USWP, and as such it serves a useful and welcome function. I am glad that it exists.
I'm proud to say that the United Independents Party is unlike any other party in the eUS, and that we are here to stay, whether you like it or not.
@ Britlem Industries Org.
RL politics aside, my point is that marginalized parties tend to resort to arguments that either pander or grovel for attention. The ill will of smaller parties is found in their simple desire to be different simply for the sake of difference.
As far as the racist in the photo, if you take a closer look you'll that the "C" in "Chairman" is actually an Islamic crescent. So not only is he lumping together two very different Asian cultures—North Korea's RL deific fascination with their "Dear Leader" being naturally maligned with an atheistic China is one obvious example—but he's also declaring Obama as either a muslim or a muslim sympathizer. I shouldn’t have to explain how the Islamic crescent has nothing to do with Mao Zedong or Kim Jong-il.
You can call that kind of racial homogenization "ignorance" if you like. I say it's xenophobic at the least and very, very racist at the worst.
@ Gertrude Sloan
I sympathize and agree with you. However, the title of this article is "The Losing Battle of Small Parties" not "The Trying Battle of Small Parties."
@ Ansen
I gave all parties proportionate mention, which is why I barely mentioned the UIP.
This article clearly indicates a total lack of familiarity with the SFP and any number of other political parties. The idea that we should just consolidate into the existing larger organizations is preposterous.
(NOT voted).
once again Mr. Bayer shows his amazing ability to have an open mind. The start of any coalescing needs to start on a Presidential level, we need to find a candidate that can draw at least 4 of the top five parties together in an election. That candidate could truly help to unite the eUS.
@ Robert Bayer
Quote: "This article clearly indicates a total lack of familiarity with the SFP and any number of other political parties."
This article isn't about familiarity with the ideals of political parties. This article is about THE LOSING BATTLE OF SMALL PARTIES.
Eight days ago you shouted support for Lowell Kennedy in the AAP primary. I'm guessing he lost since he's a Green now. And, I'm betting you used to be AAP... but are now SFP.
This perfectly and completely encapsulates and justifies my argument... completely. Such constant party-swapping does nothing but relegate party affiliation ITSELF to being absolutely worthless.
Quote: "The idea that we should just consolidate into the existing larger organizations is preposterous."
Have fun on the sidelines.
I agree Robert.
Longbaugh -- I've been an active member of the SFP since I first joined eRepublik. Though it was called the Progressive America Federation at the time, its ideals have largely remained the same and it has changed only in size and activity (partially due to my efforts).
@ Robert Bayer
The Socialist Freedom Party is the tenth largest party in the eUS with 93 members. That's not exactly blowing my mind. Also, your party page shows that you hold one seat in congress. I can't seem to find out who it is though because whoever it is, he/she has clearly switched parties.
Again...
@Longbaugh
That senator is myself, if you were wondering. I ran on the UIP ticket, but that hasn't got anything to do with any absolute affinity for their platform -- only their willingness to let me run on their ticket in a state in which they had no candidate to run.
@ Robert Bayer
There's a difference between an independent and a socialist, is there not? What you essentially had in South Dakota was a far-left candidate running as a centrist.
I understand this is standard procedure, I'm just saying it shouldn't be. How many voters voted for the UIP candidate (you) not knowing you're really a socialist?
I just think it's disingenuous. I'm USWP and I wouldn't consider running as anything else.
"Eight days ago you shouted support for Lowell Kennedy in the AAP primary. I'm guessing he lost since he's a Green now. And, I'm betting you used to be AAP... but are now SFP."
The AAP primaries aren't over yet and our decision hasn't been made yet, for the record. We had more important things on our minds 8 days ago (congressional elections).
@ Daks
Okay, so what. It's still (at least) two socialists campaigning for control of the AAP.
I will never become a Zombie. I once respected you until you pulled this. I am utterly offended at such a motion.
"All of you Greens (seriously, there's no place fore a Green Party on eRepublik), Socialist Freedoms, Democrats and Republicans (which are the USWP and CvP, respectively), U.S. Capitalists (aka, Federalists with separatist complexes), InBloodGodWeTrusters (Blade superfans, I'm guessing)... all of you need to take into consideration your longevity in a growing eRepublik."
Now you missed one thing if there are 4 or 5 Majority then most eAmericans wont or cant get there political Beliefs known
also "which are the USWP and CvP, respectively"
Now I am PP of the Republican Party and my party is no where close to being the USWP or the CvP just read my Party's Platform also my party is made up of Conservatives and liberals working together.
The Republican Party is here to stay!!!!
I have worked with your Party in the last Congressional election and Support HR for the Presidential election.
Bad Article, No Vote, Not Subscribed
Republican Party Platform: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhkjtzxn_[..]94phd" target="_blank">http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhkjtzxn_[..]94phd
Longbaugh -- There weren't any UIP voters in South Dakota when I ran, and there weren't any in North Dakota when I was elected a representative there either. Your point is irrelevant.
Also, you confuse "independent" with "moderate" -- the two are very much not the same. For example, in IRL politics, Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is an "independent" but also a self-described Socialist.
Seeing as i'm the Founder of the SFP, I must mention that all parties will rise and fall to some extent, and some harder than others. Remember when the nationalists used to be #6, and now they aren't even in the top 10! Even though this is a more dramatic example, all parties will naturally rise and fall and the USWP is no exception. While fine, its not all the USWP's fault that things are going the way the are, but the one big thing that I disagree with in this article is the author discrediting slightly smaller parties based on similarities to other parties, or radical platforms that they may have. I must ask you Mr. Longbaugh, have you ever been a member of one of these parties with 50-200 people? To completely denounce other parties because of these foolishly short reasons is just completely rediculous and this must not go past unnoticed.
Wow... you're a mislead.
The Republican Party is NOT the CVP :/
I'm sorry that you think we are all role players. lol.
The Republican Party works closely with the USWP. LMFAO. That's where we got almost all of our endorsements last congressional election. Only one didnt and he was using a UIP endorsement. At least ask us next time.
And yes, there is a reason for small parties. Maybe we want to be around people with our more specific ideals.
Pwned.
WHAT?!?! "Federalists with seperatist complexes?"
You know nothing of our party so therefore you have no right to criticize us. You think you're all big and bad on top of the party world, well guess what? We are people too and just because you have more people doesn't make you any smarter or better. How dare you, sir. How dare you.
Also, We support HR for President. If we were like the CvP, wouldn't we vote Emerick/DF? I mean Desertfalcon WAS the PP of the CvP for MONTHS.
Lol
Well, I disagree on the reasoning. How do you know that's why we support HR? There could be a multitude of reasons. And you never know. There could be a Republican Party president. You don't see the future.
"I'm sure your party is different than the CVP the same way the Democratic Party is different than the USWP. I'm also sure, however, that the difference doesn't warrant an entirely separate party. But, if you're going to defend yourself and your party, you should AT LEAST send me a valid url"
how doesn't difference warrant an entirely separate party we dont agree with the CvP and we are Center not Center-Right like CvP.
"like-minded parties merged and caucused togeth"
Not all the 6th Parties agree with the top 5 Parties and if a Party does agree with a top 5 Party that doesn't warrant for every party to merge together with that party. its just a game and fun please dont take that form us
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhkjtzxn_0dpb94phd" target="_blank">http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhkjtzxn_[..]94phd
Bring it on Longbaugh! Like my paper ever has readers.
And did I call you a zombie? No I didn't. The leadership and active members are not zombies, the rest are. Two-clickers as we call them. That a better term?
And you may not have trashed any single citizen, but you sure as heck trashed the parties many of us call our own. We take pride in our parties for their DIFFERENCES between each other. Is it not an old US code to fight for what you believe in? Our differences keep this country from being lead by the same beliefs. The diversity of opinions make us stronger as long as we open our minds to new ideas and listen to other people instead of shutting the door in their face just because they are from a different party.
And will you shut up about the stupid USWP. We are not talking about that party. Quit thinking its because of that. How about thinking about the other half of the eUSA? (exaggeration so don't be a smart a**.)
@ Sir Valaro Volcrum
5th paragraph, 1st sentence: "The time for party organizing and collecting was months ago."
eRepublik is growing exponentially. Any Darwinian edict applied to the eUS political system in particular suggests that any and all sifting through "strong" and "weak" parties was done before either of us were on here.
Yes, there is a slim chance there will be a Republican president, but considering the strength, size, and mission of the CVP (not to mention the hordes of experienced players at their reins) I can make a VERY SAFE assumption that the Republican Party will always be marginalized. And, to the speculation above that the USWP could fall... don't fret. Having been involved and seen the inner workings of the party when I was a senator last month I can tell you that it's about as rock-solid as it gets.
The Magyar Hazafiak Partja in Hungary and eUniunea Gamerilor Democrati in Romania will also likely never dissipate and will always take the majority of elections, losing maybe a handful of times.
Elections, campaigns, and political parties are about engineering turnout and participation. It's just easier to do all of that under one banner is all I'm saying.
"Yes, there is a slim chance there will be a Republican president, but considering the strength, size, and mission of the CVP (not to mention the hordes of experienced players at their reins) I can make a VERY SAFE assumption that the Republican Party will always be marginalized."
We are not like the CvP if you would talk to your Party's leadership you would know we became friends with the USWP as will as other top 5 Party's
I understand that you are proud of your party and you should also be the USWP help eUSA but let others be proud of their parties as will
@ Zack Mack
This argument has come to a standstill. You're arguing that the two parties in question should be separate because they're (slightly) different. I'm arguing that you're all sacrificing real political success for the sake of having a separate party to call your own. You're literally splitting hairs between the words "republican" and "conservative." I feel like this is going to evolve into how TDR was actually liberal and JFK was actually conservative.
@ TroyTrojans Coach
Quote: "Our differences keep this country from being lead by the same beliefs."
On the contrary. I'd argue that failure for conservatives in properly mobilize has been a strong reason why the last SEVEN months have been administered by "liberals." Justinious was liberal UIP, Uncle Sam was AAP, and scrabman is Mr. USWP.
Listen, you can have all the diversity you want and you can scoff and scowl at my advice—because that's what it is, ADVICE—all you want. All I'm saying is that when election day rolls around, you'll see once more exactly what I'm talking about.
And don't mock my party by saying we are Federalists. We are a new party now since the older leadership has relinquished the reins so now the Capitalist Party will truly be that and that logo will be replaced as soon as our new PP is in position. Nice try though.
Zack Mack: Amen brother.
So you are saying that my "Libertarian" party should join them? Why can't you just accept it won't happen? Advice or not, you made no progress in "uniting" the parties. You just strengthened our cause. So now I have to thank you for that.
@Longbaugh
I am done arguing with you and its not because you are right its just not getting me any where so I am done.
My last words are Republican and Conservatives are two different words Republican just means you stand for a Republic Type government and Conservative is a group of Ideas
Are you serious? The Republican Party isn't like the CvP. We just the same name as a RL political party, but we are NOT the same lol.
We support higher taxes for one. Lmfao
@ CrazyHotRedHead
Capitalism and the strengthening of capitalism are tenets of Federalism both in RL and here on eRepublik. But, maybe you're right. Maybe I should branch off from the USWP and start a party dedicated strictly to helping new citizens get houses? I'll call it the U.S. Help Party.
Seriously though, if you think I'm mocking your party by calling them federalists then you clearly don't know the definitions of either "federalist" or "capitalist."
@ Sir Valaro Volcrum
Quote: "Are you serious? The Republican Party isn't like the CvP. We just the same name as a RL political party."
You also have the same logo. But, then again, I guess GoBucks isn't really a Buckeyes fan. Yeah! This all makes perfect sense now!
Oh wow, our avatar is the same. Whupdee frakkin do.
Capitalism: An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market.
Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.
There. I googled it for you. The Feds believe in Nationalism and Federalism. We do not. The U.S. Capitalist Party is nothing what it used to be. Mardoc is the only "veteran member" of which I know of. If you are going to get any support for your ideas, I suggest you restrain yourself from mocking other parties just because they are smaller and you think you can get away with it.
@ Sir Valaro Volcrum
Yeah, your avatar IS the same—upside-down stars and everything. That sort of is a big deal considering that we all kind of associate ourselves with our avatars.
Could I get away with starting a Nazi party, using a swastika as the logo, and then scampering around eRepublik saying, "Just because we have the same name and logo doesn't mean we're the same lol you're dumb lol"
???
Wise up.
Wise up? I would say the same to you. YOU are associating us with the RL Republican Party based off of looks and not knowledge.
Don't judge a book by its cover. Same thing here.
Nazi Party? HAHA! Don't give people ideas.
http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/opening-page-844865/1/20" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/open[..]/1/20
@ Sir Valaro Volcrum
Don't judge a book by its cover? Fair enough. But understand that if you're called the Republican Party and you have the logo of the Republican Party as your party avatar then you're going to attract RL Republicans. The only conceivable reason to have that name and that logo is do just that: attract RL Republicans.
That says a whole hell of a lot more than you or Zack Mack are letting on.
Familiarity helps with recruitment. But our platform is open to anyone who wants it. Zack Mack has a link to it in his comment.