There are other organizations mentioned elsewhere in the forum and on the Web (e.g. Voidnow.org) that suggest doing exactly what you say, but I fear doing so has the exact same flaw as a third party. How many will ever vote out a member of one party who is viewed as "not as bad" as a member of the other, trusting others will do the same. I just don't see, logically, how it will ever work. But, I do agree that a classic, partisan, thrid party is doomed to fail.

That is why we created GOOOH as a non-partisan party. Non-partisan is the key and what makes GOOOH different from every other third party. Once we reach critical mass in membership, and the country sees they have an option that is not a career poltician, not indebted to special interest groups, not affiliated with one of the two parties, and has documented how they will vote in advance, then we can get the majority to vote for us and against the two parties. Having been selected by the people in their district (not the parties or the special interst groups), the GOOOH candidate on the ballot will represent the views of the majority of the people in their district.

The system will work, but we must get enough people behind to raise the funds and campaign for them. It will take time, but time we have. Tell everyone you can about GOOOH. We will continue to grow, and in time, we will have the support we need to succeed.

Correction to next to last paragraph: "Step 1 would combine GOOOH’s efforts with those exemplified by Voters for None of the Above (NOTA)."

When considering third parties, my guilt from 1992’s Presidential Election always returns.  By voting for Ross Perot, I was one of the persons who enabled the Clintons to take root on the national scene.  At the time, I was quite concerned about “wasting” my vote on Mr. Perot.  To my everlasting regret, I voted my heart.  I am not sure I can ever do that again.  Europe is even more replete than the U.S. with examples of the unintended consequences when three or more parties siphon votes from the mainstream.

That said, I certainly do not believe either of the two major U.S. parties, as they currently exist, deserve to continue in power.  But, I don’t think I can get past the problems created by third parties when considering them as a possible solution.

I wonder if a two-step approach to overcoming the Democrats and Republicans would not be more effective.  Step 1 would combine GOOOH’s efforts with those exemplified by Voters for None of the Above (NOTA) [typo corrected by moderator]. Their Website (http://nota.org/) lists twenty-one states with past or present activity for approving “None of the Above” as a ballot option.  Step 2 would be to have GOOOH candidates ready for nomination when “None of the Above” received the most votes.  In my opinion, a “None of the Above” option would have the initial potential to get many more votes than a third party candidate.  And, whenever “None of the Above” received the most votes, the resultant humbling of the two major parties could reduce or eliminate their advantage over GOOOH candidates.

I am curious what others think.

-Bill of Richmond

-- 4/10/2008 7:49:46 AM.