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Whatever the outcome of the November elections, 2010 is shaping up to be an historic year for the nation’s Independent and third party movements, as well as for voters who desire viable alternatives to the dysfunctional two-party government. Widespread dissatisfaction with both the Democratic and Republican parties has led not only to a deep anti-incumbent mood among the electorate, it has also inspired record numbers of third party and Independent hopefuls to throw their hats into the political

In today’s political environment, it can be easy to forget that more than a third of Americans consider themselves to be moderates. Moderates are, of course, (in)famous for their rejection of partisan politics and their critique of the ideological political polarization we have come to expect from the Democratic and Republican parties. While moderates still constitute a significant portion of both Democrats and Republicans (32% and 29% respectively), they can be found in the largest numbers amo

The two-party duopoly is a threat to the free exchange of ideas.  The establishment parties, in conjunction with a complicit corporate media, often exclude third party and independent voices and perspectives.  But, opportunities to challenge this deeply entrenched political system are beginning to increase, especially this year as anti-incumbent sentiment reaches historic levels. Jake Towne, an independent candidate for Congress in Pennslyvania's CD-15, announced late last week that he has been

Given the US public's deep dissatisfaction with the Democratic and Republican parties, numerous political commentators and prognosticators have suggested that the current political climate favors outsiders and the Independent. In the northeast, for instance, there are a number of promising independent candidates for governor.  Lincoln Chafee continues to lead the polls in Rhode Island's gubernatorial contest.  In Massachusetts, Tim Cahill's candidacy is likely to ensure a competitive three-pers

Though it is almost universally accepted that the politics of the presidency make it virtually impervious to the efforts of independent and third party candidates, there is rarely ever any lack of speculation regarding their prospects.  This fact is symptomatic of the public's deep discontent with the Democratic-Republican political establishment and the gridlocked two-party system. Americans have not been shy in articulating this dissatisfaction to anyone who is willing to listen.  In a New Yo

With less than three weeks until Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveils his revised budget plan for the fiscal year starting July 1, he and the Democratic majority Legislature have done little to reduce the state’s projected $18.8 billion budget shortfall. Almost the only thing they have accomplished is agree that increasing taxes won’t be part of whatever solution they stitch together over the next 10 weeks.  “In this budget I refuse to raise taxes because there are so many other areas where Sacr

The most heated debate in Sacramento during the past two years hasn’t been budget cuts depriving poor children of health care or awarding billion-dollar tax breaks to corporations.  It hasn’t even been California’s massive multi-billion dollar budget shortfalls. Generating far more public outcry is the mandatory spaying and neutering of cats and dogs. In 2008, unsuccessful spay/neuter legislation logged some 32,000 letters and e-mails either in support or opposition -- many thousands more th

A little over a week ago Amazon sent a letter to California legislators threatening to end its business with marketing affiliates if legislation was passed imposing sales tax for internet purchases on companies such as themselves. AB 178 is the bill in question, which Amazon alleges is “unconstitutional,” and is similar to that of New York’s bill last year (which Amazon and Overstock have also contested). The bill could raise $150 million in state revenues. Of course, if they discontinue their

The landscape of  California politics may be about to change dramatically. An open primary system for state elections-- a primary that allows voters to cross party lines--will appear on the ballot in June 2010. State open primary elections would be similar to municipal elections, although the primary vote getter would not win outright---the top two vote-getters would  proceed to a November run-off. Although the  measure was proposed by Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) in exchange for his vo

The passage of Proposition 1A will allow the state to sell bonds to fund a state-of-the-art high speed rail network that will send passengers from the top of the state to the bottom in hours. It will be quite the feat, considering this isn't Rhode Island. But like most beautiful dreams, there's one more problem to add to the list: Regular state bonds aren't selling. The Sacramento Bee reports that the state's budget crisis is stalling bond sales--a terrible predicament for any  government, espe