I created a webpage for a new political party based on the philosophy of Objectivism:
Not to rain on your parade, but you’d probably have more success working through the Republican party in our current system. Although they can have some influence, 3rd parties never amount to much.
Not to rain on your parade, but you’d probably have more success working through the Republican party in our current system. Although they can have some influence, 3rd parties never amount to much.
The Republicans get upset when I don’t join them in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In my opinion, the culture is not ready for an Objectivist party to be worthwhile. A lot of cultural overhaul needs to be done first.
The effort spent on participating in an Objectivist party, at this point, would be put to much better use writing letters to the editor, getting published in noteworthy publications, and placing Objectivist professors in universities.
The Republicans get upset when I don’t join them in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Haha, there’s no doubt the Republican party is a mess and their views on the Pledge of Allegiance are the least of our worries. However, having worked in politics a bit when I was younger, I know that political change comes incrementally. This country didn’t become a statist paradise overnight and it won’t be converted back into a free, constitutionally limited republic in a couple of weeks or even a couple of years. That being the case, I would much rather win incremental victories through organizations that have actual power like the Republican party, than continue to sit on the outside and have virtually no influence while feeling (and being) morally superior in an obsure 3rd party.
Dondigitalia is also right in that you have to change the way people think first. When you’ve changed their philosophies, then wholesale changes in their politics will follow.
Dondigitalia is also right in that you have to change the way people think first. When you’ve changed their philosophies, then wholesale changes in their politics will follow.
I find that a third party is an effective mechanism to promote your message. The Socialist Party was unsuccessful in getting its candidates elected but successful in getting its platform adopted. I found that my running as a Libertarian Party candidate gave me a forum I would not have had otherwise:
If you want to join one of the two major parties, you could join the Democrats and try incremental change there as well. Then, if they reach their tipping point, you can ride the wave upward!
If you want to join one of the two major parties, you could join the Democrats and try incremental change there as well. Then, if they reach their tipping point, you can ride the wave upward!
The Democrats get upset when I say socialism is slavery.
Do you think an Objectivist party has a chance to win any election: national, state, city? Or, do see a party as just another way to advertise Objectivism?
Do you think an Objectivist party has a chance to win any election: national, state, city? Or, do see a party as just another way to advertise Objectivism?
No to the former and yes to the latter.
Let me expand on that second bit and add that it is a means of becoming engaged without being compromised.
The way I’d see it, I’d rather join an influential party with a philosophy that is close enough to mine, and one which I can influence in the right directions. That’s why I’m a Republican.
Sitting on the sidelines all the time in your own little party, like the Libertarians, is just not much fun nor is it effective in bringing about much change, imo.
The way I’d see it, I’d rather join an influential party with a philosophy that is close enough to mine, and one which I can influence in the right directions. That’s why I’m a Republican.
How can you tolerate all that praying that goes on during their meetings?
How can you tolerate all that praying that goes on during their meetings?
I’m not a knee-jerk reactionary against religion. If people pray, as long as it doesn’t impact my freedom, let them. That’s what the First Amendment is all about. If they believe in god, so be it. My parents and grandparents believe and still attend synnagogue, I don’t reject them. Frankly, I am more repulsed by the left’s attack on people of faith than the right’s defense of them.
Plus, the Republican party is about more than just religion.
I’m not a knee-jerk reactionary against religion. If people pray, as long as it doesn’t impact my freedom, let them. That’s what the First Amendment is all about. If they believe in god, so be it. My parents and
When you’re the only one not praying and pledging, don’t you feel out of place? When they find out you’re an atheist, don’t they ostracize you? When it comes to issues like abortion and gay marriage, don’t you feel like you’re in the wrong party?
I read this but I did not buy into it. The author suggests that the Objectivist political campaign either did more harm than good and/or that it was an inefficient use of resources. I’m not certain what evidence the author provides to support these claims.
I’m not certain what evidence the author provides to support these claims.
That the candidate got a grand total of 274 votes.
You’re missing the more important point that he raises which is that it associates Objectivism (if god forbid that is dragged into it) or freedom (if it is “Libertarian”) with *crackpot-ism*.
We are trying to get Objectivism recognized as a serious philosophy and Ayn Rand as an important author. That message is undercut when it is associated with futile and Quixotic political campaigns - which btw vastly underestimates our growing influence.
When you’re the only one not praying and pledging, don’t you feel out of place?
No. All though I don’t have anything against the recitation of the pledge.
When they find out you’re an atheist, don’t they ostracize you?
Not thus far. You’ll find if you respect other people’s right to their religion, they will respect you. But if you rip on them because they are religious, you don’t deserve their respect regardless.
When it comes to issues like abortion and gay marriage, don’t you feel like you’re in the wrong party?
No, since I find abortion abhorant (yes, I know the Objectivist POV on abortion, it doesn’t make the procedure less disgusting to me) and don’t particularly care for state-sanctioned (gay) marriage.
That message is undercut when it is associated with futile and Quixotic political campaigns
How so?
No, since I find abortion abhorant (yes, I know the Objectivist POV on abortion, it doesn’t make the procedure less disgusting to me) and don’t particularly care for state-sanctioned (gay) marriage.
Well, I hope you can see how someone like me with the opposite position on these issues would not fit in with the Republican Party.
Well, I hope you can see how someone like me with the opposite position on these issues would not fit in with the Republican Party.
I know (personally) several pro-choice, active Republicans.