Labor Party
“I’m fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.”
If there is one thing the political gridlock and divisiveness have shown me is that we need a third way. Maybe even a fourth, a fifth; simply put more options . The dissatisfied must come together to launch a competitive national third party. A coalition to break up the malaise of American Politics. Yes, I intend to speechify on the merits of a third party through the rest of this post, abandon now to a more coddling form of entertainment if you want.
Workers have had a banner couple of years under the pandemic. Commanding better pay, unionizing where possible, going fully remote permanently, and resigning in droves. Workers have forever been under assault from entrenched corporate greed to suppress their collective power, and now face the impending threat of the automation of jobs a myriad of careers. America is a place where we praise John Henry for working himself to death for the company and not the company sacrificing for the worker. It’s time to reverse that.
Perhaps there has never been a better time than now to form a Labor Party in America. One unifying the common values that could bridge the deepening divides between the everyman and the Joneses. A party whose goal it is to protect the dignity of all work, respect for workers’ rights, and promoting a work landscape that is built on offering autonomy, mastery, and purpose to work. At the very least, a national platform for candidates who will avoid the misleading, evasive, and ambiguous rhetoric of the other national parties.
Third parties do not have a strong track record of success in American History after the Civil War. Prior to that point we had generally a two party system but the names and positions shifted more frequently. The solidification of our current two party system likely traces back to JFK’s campaign that saw the first election cycle truly take place on our television sets and subsequently the money hoarding two party system. The Supreme Courts decision in the Citizens United case only accelerated the divisions funded by the big money driven PACs.
The vision for this Labor party could be about protecting the American Dream by redefining it as a pursuit for building a country that operates so that its laws, justice, and institutions maximize the opportunity for everyone to reach their full human potential. The party platform would work towards these ends by promoting policies that focused on providing for the universal needs defined in Maslow’s hierarchy.
Firstly and foremost shelter for everyone. It is absurd in our nation that anyone could be un-housed. It is not a financial problem but a lack of will. Secondly, food security-we waste more food than we can ever consume in America. Social Good companies like Goodr have already solved the logistical problem of saving food that normally ends up in the bin. Thirdly, healthcare that is universal, prevention oriented, and measured on real results. Lastly, access to affordable and total education from pre-k through undergraduate completion-at least at state colleges.
There are numerous senators, representatives, along with state and local officials in both of the major parties that could thrive if unshackled from the two party system. Add in strong mix of existing third party politicians and you have an opportunity to change the political discourse for the better. Though the money in politics will still be a hurdle, if the platform speaks to the people, the donations will come. Fundraising is a moment where progressive companies can put their money where there mouths are. Along with giving B-Corporations and non-profits a party they can truly get behind. Some potential party members could include:
Along with the best of the rest from the Green, Libertarian, and other parties.
The key to the success of a third party is that they not only get elected but implement the policies that improve the functioning of government and outcomes for citizens. Some of our most successful social movements have come from where disparate groups have come together to create progress. During the 1960s, some of the most prominent advocates for Civil Rights were members of the African American community. However, what is perhaps lesser known are the Asian Americans that aided them and took inspiration from their struggles.* Or the time that an unlikely partnership formed between C. P. Ellis, a KKK leader, and Mrs. Ann Atwater, a civil rights leader to work together on school integration.
Yes, there a whole host of other issues that divide us that could demand political parties of their own. But that path would further the Otherization in society that we have today. Maybe what I’m really pining for is a Humanist Party.
