WHY THIRD PARTIES

1
WHY THIRD PARTIES?

• BECAUSE THEY ARE ESSENTIAL!

2
While their presidential candidates stand little
chance of being elected, members of America's
third parties have historically promoted concepts
and policies that have been incorporated as
important parts of our social and political
lives. Here are some major examples
3
Women's Right to Vote

• Both the Prohibition and Socialist Parties
  promoted women's suffrage during the late 1800's.
  By 1916, both Republicans and Democrats supported
  it and by 1920, the 19th Amendment giving women
  the right to vote had been ratified.

4
Income Tax

• In the 1890's, the Populist and Socialist Parties
  supported a "progressive" tax system that would
  base a person's tax liability on their amount of
  income. The idea led to ratification of the 16th
  Amendment in 1913.

5
"Tough on Crime"

• In 1968, the American Independent Party and its
  presidential candidate George Wallace advocated
  "getting tough on crime." The Republican Party
  adopted the idea in its platform and the Omnibus
  Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 was
  the result.

6
WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT

• Draw attention to issues that may be ignored by
  the major parties
• To cast protest votes
• Help voter turnout
• To play the role of spoiler

7
Modern Third Parties

• LIBERTARIAN PARTY
• REFORM PARTY
• GREEN PARTY
• CONSTITUTION PARTY
• INDEPENDENT PARTY

8
LIBERTARIAN PARTY

• Founded in 1971, the Libertarian party is the
  third largest political party in America.
  Libertarians believe the federal government
  should play a minimal role in the day-to-day
  affairs of the people. They believe that the only
  appropriate role of government is to protect the
  citizens from acts of physical force or fraud. A
  libertarian-style government would therefore
  limit itself to a police, court, prison system
  and military. Members support free market economy
  and are dedicated to protection of civil
  liberties and individual freedom.

9
REFORM PARTY

• As its name implies, Reform Party members are
  dedicated to reforming the American political
  system. They support candidates they feel will
  "re-establish trust" in government by displaying
  high ethical standards coupled with fiscal
  responsibility and accountability.

10
GREEN PARTY

• The American Green Party's platform is based on
  the following Key Values
• Ecological wisdom
• Gender equality
• Respect for diversity
• Nonviolence
• Global responsibility

11
CONSTITUTION PARTY

• Constitutionalists support reducing the role of
  the United States federal government
• The party strongly opposes illegal immigration
• The party is strongly pro-life and thus opposes
  euthanasia and abortion

12
INDEPENDENT PARTY

• We claim that our Constitutional Republic can
  still be fully restored by lawful means, but only
  to the extent that We The People stand united and
  vigilant, as never before, in the cause of
  freedom.
• 'The people not government... are the only sure
  reliance for the preservation of our liberty.'
  Thomas Jefferson"
• The forces of totalitarianism are attacking our
  basic Freedoms and principles enumerated in the
  Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence,
  and our Constitution.     We are now embroiled in
  a desperate battle with these forces to retain
  Freedoms bequeathed to us by the Founders.