Voter Empowerment

A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected are members of one of the two major parties. Under a two-party system, one of the two parties typically holds a majority in the legislature and is usually referred to as the majority party while the other is the minority party.
Alternative Parties, meaning a party other than one of the two dominant parties, are possible in two-party systems, but they are unlikely to exert much influence by gaining control of legislatures or by winning elections. While there are occasional opinions in the media expressed about the possibility of Alternative parties emerging in the United States, for example, political insiders such as the Eugene V Debs garnering one million votes, Voter and candidate suppression and ballot access restrictions also attack democracy.
Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan are examples of nations that have used a multi-party system effectively in their democracies. In these countries, usually no single party has a parliamentary majority by itself. Instead, multiple political parties form coalitions for the purpose of initiating policies the people benefit from.

Myth: Stealing Votes:
Two Party systems undermine democracy because they disallow freedom of choice and divergent points of view. Other opinions and possible changes in government are disallowed. The myth that alternative parties steal votes undermines the fact that people vote their choice based on there preferences (freedom and liberty). A two party systems locks in centralism and inability to change the government while denying people a chances to move away from designated winners. When people chose their candidate, they do it by free will. People vote to express there interest. It is impossible to steal a vote and is a reinforced political myth perpetuated by the Two Party System.

Myth. Independents:
All Independents are not Democrats or Republicans. An Independent is not someone who is part of an Alternative Party, such as The American Labor Party, Green Party, and others. Most political polls, one 95% said people want more than two political parties.

Myth a Two Party System works:
Actually, it doesn’t two parties weaken the political process because grid lock, lack of change, same issues re-emerging over and over again allows retrogressive policies. Which means no change is ever permanent and issues are never really solved. As the Republicans attack labor rights. Civil rights and civil liberties. Alternative parties mean that progress would happen and political issues solved.

Myth: Alternative Parties are Kooky:
Actually, it is Alternative Parties that made real changes. The Socialist Party of America (current ALP) has a real success story. When Socialist mayors ran Milwaukee, they did the best job of all American Mayors. The Green Platform is very Democratic. Looking at the Alternative Parties, some offer better Democracy and principals than the Democrats or Republicans.

Myth: Alternative Parties Confuse:
Actually they are quite lucid and many offer real solutions. Even the Libertarian and Reform Parties can have something to offer. But research show they are quite lucid and revealing.

Myth: A Two Party System is Democracy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Democrats and Republicans can be called Republicrats because there is not essential difference. Te lack of free choice and shutting down others with different points of view undermines Democracy. America has a One Party system with two wings.

Myth: Voting for Alternative Parties is a wasted vote.
Eugene V Debs said, “ A wasted vote is voting for someone who doesn’t have your interest at heart.” Why should anyone vote for designated winner when they will not
Fulfill your values or political values.” If those votes were wasted. In another way, a vote is an effective communication protest tool, and by voting for a alternative-party candidate you are sending the message that you think the other two are not worthy.

The Fact is Multiple Parties Strengthen Democracy. Research elections is Germany and France. They are real Democracies. In Helsinki it is determined people choose their own way, in democratic program; strengthening democratic electoral processes, this is voter empowerment

Bretton Woods

The WTO, IMF and World Bank have been major collaborators in the creation and management of the modern global economy. Their activities are endorsed by economically stronger  governments and corporations who favor neo-liberal policies and free-market solutions of debt-based finance and international trade Together these institutions encourage economic structural adjustment, privatization and market liberalization in emerging markets. Within the competitive global framework, developing countries are left with little choice other than to comply with the Anti Social agenda. As a result these countries are often left with crippling debt and poorer. Meanwhile, foreign investors and multinational corporations gain control of a significant portion of the world’s resources, finance, services, technology, this reduces human rights, labor standards and keeps the poor n poverty . Around 50,000 people die each day from poverty.

Government are forced into austerity. Created by the US and British  at The Bretton Woods Conference after World War II (1944 Hampshire, USA), The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and The World Bank (WB) were designed to ensure economic and corporate profits in countries especially in in Europe.

With restrictions on the movement of capital  a period of destabilizing financial speculation and capital exchange often results, further benefiting wealthy investors and speculators whilst often bankrupting domestic companies. This same IMF/World Bank enforced agenda has devastated many developing economies in East Asia and Latin America.

Both the World Bank and IMF criticize recipient governments for their lack of transparency, widespread corruption and undemocratic regimes, insisting on the reform of these aspects as a pre-condition to granting loans and debt relief. However these same issues haunt the World Bank and IMF which are widely regarded as not transparent, undemocratic and unaccountable.  Millions of Dollars go unaccountable.

Even the Socialists could save Greece,  Greeks voted resoundingly against the tough deficit reduction terms that are tied to Athens’ European Union/IMF rescue package. The budget cutbacks have caused recession, youth unemployment to soar over 50 percent and desperate citizens to commit suicide.

While many Far Left Socialist criticizes Pasok (SI Socialists), No Socialist will win. Tthe the web of Global Finance gangster are too powerful. (This goes for Spain and Portugal.)

The web of power is international and this web is all pervading, the frces of power are overwhelming as never before and people are more powerless than ever before.

As Martin Luther King Said:

“ I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values.

We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing-oriented” society to a “person-oriented” society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.

This is why we are Socialists, if you are a Socialist International Socialist or any other kind.  We have to hope. Even the most powerful may try to defeat us.

It looks un-winnable and it may be, that is why the powerful are powerful. They have the might too destroy. Be it is our humanity that makes us stand firm, even if we do not win.

Joham Galtung predicted the end of the Soviet Union in 1980, and 25 years from now  2027, the end of Capitalism.

Reich Is Wrong About Socialism

Robert Reich recently said we do not need Socialism as in France.  The ALP celebrates Hollande in France.

Eugene V Debs said:

As a rule, large capitalists are Republicans and small capitalists are Democrats, but workingmen must remember that they are all capitalists, and that the many small ones, like the fewer large ones, are all politically supporting their class interests, and this is always and everywhere the capitalist class.

Debs also said

The very moment a workingman begins to do his own thinking he understands the paramount issue, parts company with the capitalist politician and falls in line with his own class on the political battlefield.

And:

The issue is Socialism versus Capitalism. I am for Socialism because I am for humanity. We have been cursed with the reign of gold long enough. Money constitutes no proper basis of civilization. The time has come to regenerate society — we are on the eve of universal change. (Sad to say, Capitalism got worse)

The Democrats once seemed to be Americas social party. Normans Thomas once noted that the Democrats brought the program out on a stretcher.

We need a Socialist Party to deliver-

1. Sustainable Industries

2. Workers Rights
3. Livable Community
4. City Constitution
5. Better education
6. Social Justice
7. Jobs With Justice
8. Affordable Housing
9. Quality of Life

Social Equity is the of Sustainable Development. In 1996 the President’s Council on Sustainable Development defined Social Equity as “equal opportunity, in a safe and healthy environment.” Social Equity is the least defined and least understood element of the triad that is Sustainable Development yet is integral in creating sustainability – balancing economic, environmental and social equity. This would bring in Jobs with Justice, Public enterprise.

No political Party is beating the drum on these issues.
Fair, just and equitable management of all institutions serving the public directly or by contract; the fair, just and equitable distribution of public services and implementation of public policy; and the commitment to promote fairness, justice, and equity in the formation of public policy

Public policy, a fair and equitable system means that all boats float to the top.  While the phony American Dream is toughed, for most the American Dream is out of reach for most people.

Our former Socialist Mayor of Milwaukee, Frank P Zeidler once said what sets us different from the Democrats is our politics is cooperative, not competitive. 

Milwaukee Renaissance said: He is our own well-loved visionary thinker. And that is why we need a Socialist Party (ALP/ISO), for visionary thinkers who are about Democracy and the people.

American Labor Party

American Labor Party

ALP/ISO History

For Mark A Lause

Eugene V Debs founded The Socialist Party of America (SPA) was a multi-tendency democratic-socialist political party in the United States, formed in 1901 by a merger between the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and disaffected elements of the Socialist Labor Party which had split from the main organization in 1899.
The Socialist Party returned to independent action and experienced modest growth in the early 1930s behind presidential candidate Norman Thomas. After the 1920s, however, the Party’s appeal was weakened by the popularity of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.
Followers of Leon Trotsky and Jay Lovestone caused the traditional “Old Guard” to leave and form the Social Democratic Federation. While the party was always strongly anti-Fascist, as well as anti-Stalinist, the SP’s ambivalent attitude towards World War II cost it both internal and external support. Norman Thomas and his radical pacifist co-thinkers and their young Marxist allies of the Militant faction sought to build a mass political movement by transforming the Socialist Party into what they called an “all-inclusive party.” Not only would an appeal be made to the radical intellectuals and trade unionists who were the historic core of the organization, but an effort would be made to work closely with the Communist Party in joint actions, and to infuse the Socialist Party with the leading personnel of small radical oppositional organizations,
The all inclusive party didn’t work, as usual the Communists and Trots alienated the Social Democrats. The Old Guard became the American Labor Party. The American Labor Party was a political party in the United States established in 1936 which was active almost exclusively in the state of New York. The organization was founded by labor leaders and former members of the Socialist Party (SP) who had established themselves as the Social Democratic Federation (SDF). The party was intended to parallel the role of the British Labour Party, serving as an umbrella organization to unite New York social democrats of the SDF with trade unionists who would otherwise support candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties.
The New York Old Guard returned home to organize themselves as the Committee for the Preservation of the Socialist Party, raising funds, selecting a “Provisional Executive Committee,” building a mailing list, and maintaining an office in New York City. The Old Guard, headed by former New York State Assemblyman .
Former Republican Vito Marcantonio won election to the United States House of Representatives, representing East Harlem for the ALP in 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, and 1948, but lost in 1950. He had been the target of the New York Wilson Pakula Act in 1947 aimed at restricting candidates from one party running in another party’s primary election (electoral fusion. Leo Isacson was elected in early 1948 to fill a vacancy in in a Bronx district.
In 2008 the Communists and Trots in The Socialists Party USA convention alienated the Social Democrats. Many good people left the Party. The author tried to revive the old SPA, but fellows had left would not join. A Debsian Party was needed for America.
The ideological merger of SPA and ALP History made the ALP/ISO a Socialist Reformation Party of the SPA/ALP. Since Left Democracy had no appeal and Labor did. It has now gained a successful following for people embracing Democracy, and a Socialist International oriented party with our Sister Party, the New Democrats of Canada.
With the New Democrats of Canada, Party Of European Socialists, The victory of Francois Hollande, means socialism has a bright future and one day win again in the USA. Vitov Valdes Munoz ran for Congress garnering over 1,000 votes.

Free and Open Elections

The universal use of elections as a tool for selecting representatives in modern democracies is in contrast with the practice in the democratic example. As the Elections were considered an oligarchic institution where political offices were filled using elections and voting.
America is not a Democracy. We have ballot access and political party restrictions in almost every state.
This right for Alternative Parties is hampered today by voters who seek alternative political choices, both independent candidates and alternative political parties have not right to ballot access. Monopoly of the political process by the two major parties (One party with two wings) has, in fact, denied the voters an effective freedom of political choice. In America we have two candidates who are designated winners.
In France there are 13 political parties vying for office. The primary for parties is one year before the first round. In the first round the primary winner for all political parties are voted for. The second round consists of the top three winners. The third round three candidates are voted for, the top vote grabber wins.
If the two top candidates are close, the third candidate is eliminated and there is a third round called instant run off.
Electoral systems are the detailed constitutional arrangements and voting systems that convert the vote into political decision. In the United States voting laws are made by the States, and in many there is voting and candidate restrictions for non Democrats and Republicans
While openness and accountability are usually considered cornerstones of a democratic system, the act of casting a vote and the content of a voter’s ballot. The secret ballot is a relatively modern development, but it is now considered crucial in most free and fair elections, as it limits the effectiveness of intimidation.
Many political parties around the world have coalition voting. A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament.
In which case a President can depend on Alternative Political parties to move his agenda. The Blue dog Democrats and Republicans can vote against a Presidents policy, while Liberal, Left Democrats, American Labor Party, and Greens can support a notion and pass it. Also, Like the Canadian Co-operative Common Wealth Party of Canada (Today Canada’s number two party: The New Democrats), who in 1966 brought in National Health Care. A minority alternative party had the power to install that system.
Powerful parties can also act in hurting democracy. They stifle the growth of emerging parties and political initiatives. Of course, such an event is rare in coalition governments when compared to two-party systems, which typically exists because of stifling the growth of emerging parties, often through discrimination . People lose freedom of choice, and the liberty to choose and have divergent points of view and free choices are taken away.
In Finland, no party has had an absolute majority in the parliament since independence, and multi-party coalitions have been the norm. Finland experienced its most stable government since

The Broad Left

There is an entire spectrum of political parties, organizations and groups which consider themselves to be socialist or have origins in leftist Social Democratic and Labor movements. You will find democratic socialists, communists, social democratic and green parties, Marxists-Leninists, Stalinist or Maoist persuasions, the tendencies of Trotskyism, leftist movements struggling for emancipation of the people and desire a change that is for the people. This doesn’t always work out and the broad spectrum of leftist especially confuse Americans. Lets look at these groups and what they mean and operate.

Democratic Socialism/Social Democracy: Democratic socialism is a description used by various historians to describe the ideal of socialism in an established democracy. A Concern for Human Rights, Labor, Poverty, Health Care. Not completely disposing of Capitalism. But getting rid of its horrible aspects. Public Ownership economic principal. Wishes to establish a true democracy. Supports free and open elections.
Failures: Doesn’t full fill it Socialist ideology or desires. Many are still expecting a war on poverty for example.
Robert Owen, Pierre Leroux, Martin Luther King, John Stuart Mill, Albert Einstein.
Countries: Norway, Denmark, Finland, Brazil, Bolivia.

Communism: A broad range in itself. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Free-access to the articles of consumption is made possible by advances in technology that allow for abundance. The means of production are commonly-owned, meaning no entity or individual owns productive property. Importance is ascribed to “user ship” over “ownership”. Perpetuates a Government owned economics.
Failure: Many, encompassing human rights abuses, totalitarian and authoritarian governments. Adapting to Communism is like trading off one 1% for another even worse 1%. Karl Marx, Fredrick Engels, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky.
Countries: Belarus, North Korea, Vietnam

Liberals. Some socialist, many weakly socialist. Progressive and populist. Political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, Supports Capitalism as much as Conservatives.
Failures; Often the “Fake Left.” Many American Liberals today reflect 1980’s Reaganism. Betrays labor and The poor. Never delivers the goods on Democracy or Social initiatives.
Liberals would consist of Franklin D Roosevelt, John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy,

Warts and all Democratic Socialism works best. Communist groups are very controlling and wish to establish a Socialist State. Socialist Democrats (Democratic Socialists) reject that notion. SDers believe the Socialism leads to Democracy while Communists believe that Democracy leads to Communism.

Since most American cannot think, and Right Wing reactionaries label socialism as the Illumnati that wishes to rule the world, this shows how even on a basic level Americans are politically illiterate if not ignorant. Socialism is vilified in the media everyday and People who don’t care about facts, they believe what they see and hear on TV and Radio.

Capitalism

Most people think Socialists hate Capitalism. Many do, because Capitalism performs atrocities  on society.

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. So the saying goes. Opponents of Capitalism like to claim that the poor suffer because the rich are constantly increasing their wealth and using it to oppress the poor. They see the successful as a parasite somehow living off the suffering of the unsuccessful.

Not to mention workers are oppressed, the poor are driven into further poverty, secret government manipulate foreign government causing atrocities like genocide, and colonialism. Capitalism is not democracy, it is an economic system.

Look at food manufacturing, under nutritious foods, livestock abuse, poising crops, unhealthy food franchises.  Not to mention political and industrial greed. volumes can be written on the evils of Capitalism.

But not all socialists against Capitalism. In Western Europe, there is fairness in the work place, purity laws protect there the food, Socialist International Parties have developed free art, free elections, National Health Care. It is nota  perfect system. But it works. The Party of European Socialists (currently in opposition), have developed impoverished lands. In Italy, Calabria Provence has a new air port, university, increasing tourism, and exports. This has changed from a vast wasteland.

All SI parties want is a fair and equitable system with a developing real and true democracy.

Social democracy is officially a reformist democratic socialist political ideology which supports a mixed economy and a welfare state based upon a publicly-funded social safety net. Social democracy supports social rights for citizens to universal access to public services such as: workers’ compensation, universal health care and universal education, and other services such as child care and care for the elderly. Social democracy is connected with the trade union labour movement and supports collective bargaining rights for workers. Contemporary social democracy initiates freedom from discrimination based on differences of: ability/disability, age, class, ethnicity, gender, language, race, religion, and gender.  What American liberal stood for and now betray.

A friend owns a pasta factory, his pasta is real-nutritious, and he wishes to sell his pasta. Why not? People who have good ideas should be supported in business. No pollution, organic, artisan in style. And he treats his workers well. Nothing wrong with that.

Has anyone heard of worker owned co-ops, Employee stock options, public works? How a bout a business development fund better than the SBA.

In the Co-operative Common Wealth, Gronlund purports all should be able to use their genius and talents.  With Communism we trade one 1% for an even worse other 1%.

Wither The People

I have been involved in politics most of my life. I have always  known people where politically uneducated. I have, from youth heard foreigners say that.  When I was a youth during the cold war. People have always said stupid uneducated things. I used tell people I was a Socialist and that I liked the Socialism of the Scandinavian countries. Their reply would be, aren’t those countries neutral? All countries have a internal political structure with political parties.

Than we learned young how screwed up the conservatives are. In the 1980s they would say socialized medicine doesn’t work and the countries are trying to find a way to get rid of it. Actually since, no country has gotten rid of it, and many countries, even South Korea and South Africa have installed National Health Insurance.

Running for office you’ll really find out how stupid people are.  Some people say, they like Mitt Romney because me and my Seventy Year old grand mother still work.  Is your 70 year old grandmother social security check keeping her in poverty? I can remember at time when I was running for Governor and I showed some lady my agenda and she insisted it was my Democratic Party opponent  agenda. I asked her if she knew he didn’t stand for any of these issues? No, she still insisted that it was my opponents agenda.

Yet we still have American Dreamer who think they are going to get rich.

And even Liberals today are like 1980’s Republicans. They like war, hate the poor, have no labor agenda, no war on poverty. The entire Kennedy and King doctrine is not there. When was the last time you heard about the Living Wage? The Graduated Progressive Tax? Workers Rights? Gross National (Domestic )  Happiness .

No American is educated on the principals of Democracy. I find, no one cares, no one even educates themselves.

Facts don’t drive our politics, it’s myths. Politicians tell people what they want to hear. They make us feel smart when we are suckers To win us over they pretend to be just like us, in a crude exploitation of the myth of the common people.

Even with the internet people refuse to learn Democracy.  The Constitution is not Democracy and a poor reflection of it.

We are a culture and society enamored with hate, greed, and ignorance. We even see the stupid things politicians say and we go for that.

We subscribe to silly values. Look at the emergence of the Tea Party. It is clearing house for right wing stupidity. The Corporate News media is to blame for re-enforcing the values of these people. They keep advertising these idiots. We usually, the more enlightened, need to go to alternative news media for the real truth.

But it us, we that people who do not seek a better way. We now its there, we know the possibilities, but the current political situation means that this is a reflection of our ugliness. We support the pain and suffering of others through our lack of empathy, compassion, and consideration.  As long as it is “me“ who isn’t suffering who cares?

.

 

Nazi ideology denounced many political and economic ideologies and systems as being such as: capitalism, democracy, the Enlightenment, industrialisation, liberalism, Democratic Socialism, Social Democarcy, Marxism, parliamentary politics, and trade unionism. To maintain the purity and strength of the Aryan race, the Nazis sought to exterminate or impose exclusionary segregation upon superior and Inferior”degenerate” and “asocial” groups that included: Jews, homosexuals, Romani, blacks, the physically and mentally handicapped. In America today, the inferior are looked at with contempt.

So, when are we going to have what we really preach. I saw a joke: American Exceptionalism; The Values of Freedom and Liberty and a contempt for both

Where The ALP Stands Now

Economic Justice:
Implement major domestic Eco jobs and infrastructure programs
Workers’ right to organize
End incentives for U.S. companies to send jobs overseas
Enact a Graduated Progressive tax that will curb reckless speculation and provide revenue for job creation, job training, Universal Income and education
End the tax cuts for the wealthy
Compassionate and rational immigration reform
End to subsidies for oil and gas companies and Corporate Welfare
Free education through four years of college or equivalent as a right
Protect public investments by opposing and reversing the privatization
Institute full labor rights and work place democracy, Co-ops, ESOPS, and other means.
Environmental Justice:
Enforce employee and environmental safeguards in trade agreements
Ban the Canada-to-Mexico tar sands pipeline and mountain top removal
Enhance air and water quality protections by strengthening the EPA
Take aggressive action and leadership on the climate crisis and the environment
Social and Civic Justice:
Affordable universal health care through Improved Medicare for All
An end to the wars; reduce the military budget and redirect money to a social economy
Endorse Marriage equality
Fight race and gender discrimination
Treat substance abuse within a public health framework rather than as a criminal matter
Repeal the PATRIOT Act
Abolish corporate personhood and implement campaign finance reform to end the Publicly Funded Campaigns, term limitations, fre and open elections with ballot access.