The earth is moving under the feet of both major American political parties.
I'm taking a moment to write about these political tremors, because — due to the long military and financial reach of the United States — they will eventually affect all of us.
Half my readership is in the United States, and the other half visit from around the globe (thousands of people per month): Canada, UK, Scandinavia, Germany, France, Spain, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, China, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, etc.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for visiting to read Rick's thoughts, also for sharing yours. He'd like to respond to your inquiry but he's building a taller soapbox at the moment.
Despite the visibility of both major presidential candidates, neither Barack Obama nor John McCain represent the values of a significant portion of the American populace. I will include Joe Biden and Sarah Palin as non-representative, as well.
I confidently pose this premise because none of these candidates represent an important missing category from 2008 Field Guide to Candidates. Traditionally labeled and included with "independent" or "swing voters" we actually have a very clear idea of what we want from government:
(SL) Social Liberal + (FC) Financial Conservative — "You are free to make your own life decisions, but do not ask me to pay for your choices."
It's abstract, I know. Perhaps an example SL/FC perspective would be more effective:
"I value science, and understand the implications of climate change. I want to transition to clean sustainable energy as rapidly as possible, but believe adding government infrastructure or subsidies to accomplish that task is both ineffective and inefficient. Free market incentives will produce quicker results."Freely practice any religion you wish, but faith is not welcome in government, nor in public school curriculum. Faith is a private matter. Think about how you would react if the dominant religious faith guiding government is not yours.
"Your race or gender is not my concern. When we interact, I will judge you based on your behavior, and your competency.
"I am motivated to establish and fund non-profit charities for causes meaningful to me. I am resentful when I am taxed and my earnings are forcibly redistributed to others — for any reason. I consider that taxation without representation.
"I value and appreciate cultures dissimilar to my own: customs, beliefs, lifestyles, foods, people. Human adaptation to survival in different geographic regions of the world. Every culture represents a potential learning experience, and an opportunity for mutually beneficial exchange. I am angry and frustrated by our government's use of military force to control the behavior of others outside our borders.
"I value individual freedom, as expressed in our Declaration of Independence: '...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' I do not want our government to legislate morality. When our government violates constitutional law, it is no longer a legitimate or representative government."
Due to the leverage of our two party system, it is likely We the People will be forced to accept one of the two teams for the next four years: Democrat or Republican.
But here's the seismic shift.
Others have begun to recognize this misrepresented and under-serviced SL/FC demographic. In a surprise and unprecedented maneuver this past week a diverse range of disenfranchised major and third party political candidates united to create and agree to four principles not represented by either the Democrats or Republicans: "We Agree"
If a strong leader emerges from this process, American politics — and policy — will quickly begin to look very different. In the video below, CNN's Wolf Blitzer interviews (ostensible) ideological opposites Ron Paul and Ralph Nader, who have just combined political efforts.
FREEDOM SERIES:
Freedom
April 15
Civil Disobedience
Political Opportunity (Lost & Found)
Political Conventions
Financial Bailout — "Rescue Plan"
End the Fed
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