tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484662326396778106.post6340252057918169610..comments2023-11-05T03:25:20.581-08:00Comments on STOP THE MADNESS: CHAPTER NINETY THREE. LET’S GET THE PARTY STARTEDRick Staggenborg, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587630200799702811noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484662326396778106.post-53620081852580382010-12-27T16:05:47.558-08:002010-12-27T16:05:47.558-08:00I wrote this essay just before the Pacific Green P...I wrote this essay just before the Pacific Green Party of Oregon passed a resolution rescinding my nomination for essentially being insufficiently anti-war. To my knowledge, not one Party member had looked into my work for Soldiers For Peace International despite my repeatedly mentioning it in response to my critics.<br /><br />In fairness, the vote was close and I believe that most members of the Party supported me, but the convention was packed with my opponents. I find that the episode is a perfect illustration of how most movements splinter and fail because of extremist ideology and simple pride. <br /><br />If we are to build a real progressive movement, we will have to get beyond blind loyalty to Parties that are not serious about forming the widest coalition possible, so that we have a voice in national affairs instead of forever being cast as spoilers. <br /><br />Democratic apologists like to say that we have no choice but to back their corporate tools to avoid even worse. The truth is that we are wasting our votes if we back corporatists of any Party. <br /><br />I eventually ran for the Senate on the Oregon Progressive Party ticket. I am lobbying for them to lead the way to forming a fusion Party ticket that will draw new members from all Parties. We will see how that goes. <br /><br />I am also reaching out to other Parties around the country to encourage the same and getting positive response, at least from rank and file members. With an American Party in every state, we can become a force to be reckoned with sooner than apologists of the corporate Parties would like us to think.Rick Staggenborg, MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16587630200799702811noreply@blogger.com