We've all been there before, sitting in our social studies classroom in 7th grade listening to our teacher go on and on about the political parties in America. We learn that there are two sides: the Republicans and the Democrats. And for so many years we believe these are the only two that exist. These are the only two parties our parents can choose from when going to vote.
But then we turn 18 and it is our chance to cast our vote. We get up to the secret voting booth, we look down at the ballot and suddenly we see candidates for other parties listed. What's a Green Party? What is a Libertarian Party? Now all of the sudden we feel pressured- 'All I've ever known is Republican or Democrat! What if I am making the wrong choice?' we think to ourselves.
Left with an important decision and a line of people waiting to vote we go with what we know best- Republican or Democrat- then we hightail it out of there never to think about those other parties until the next time we vote.
Now, this may not be a recap of your experience, but I know that a fair few of my friends and acquaintances have gone through this. To be honest it wasn’t until after I voted to re-elect Barack Obama that I realized there was more than just two sides to the political coin.
Thanks be to the powers above that this election cycle is bringing two decorated, and experienced, politicans into the spotlight. This country is oh so fortunate to have two fabulous contenders on the Republican and the Democratic side that we just need others to balance them out right?
“Instead of bailing out Wall Street for the fourth time.. let’s bail out the students.” -Jill Stein
According to insidegov, there is five political parties active within the United States at this moment (Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, and Constitution). We know that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been chosen as candidates for the Republicans and Democrats respectively, but what about the other three parties?
The Green Party
Meet Dr. Jill Stein. Harvard Medical School graduate, highly decorated politician, advocate for the environment, and the current candidate for the inconspicuous Green Party.
Having been active for 31 years the Green Party was founded on the “Four Pillars of the Green Party” which include: Ecological Wisdom, Social and Economic Justice, Grassroots Democracy, and Nonviolence and Peace. The party’s main goal is to protect the environment through grassroots democracy.
While Dr. Jill Stein has never held office she has a slew of other political accomplishments that has placed her at the head of the Green Party.
- Candidate, United States President, 2012
- Candidate, Governor, 2002, 2010
- Elected Member, Lexington Town Meeting, Precinct 2, 2005-2009
- Candidate, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2006
- Candidate, Massachusetts House of Representatives, Middlesex, District 9, 2004
Dr. Stein is generally more liberal in nature and has pushed for several major issues including higher taxes on the wealthy and expanding ObamaCare. Her campaign for Presidency began nearly a year ago and has led her to nearly 173,000 Twitter followers. To learn more about Dr. Jill Stein head over to her Twitter.
The Libertarian Party
Meet Governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico. Having been in office for nearly 8 years, as well as being the current sitting Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson certainly has political experience.
Having been active for 44 years now the Libertarian Party is often lauded as a middle-ground between the Left and the Right. The party members often push for individual liberty and complete economic freedom. Comparatively, members often describe their ideology as laissez fare explaining that they believe in more freedom, less government, and lower taxes.
Governor Johnson is considered to be more conservative than Dr. Jill Stein and believes in absolute right to gun ownership and is against prioritizing green energy- something Dr. Jill Stein is adamant about in her campaign. To learn more about Governor Johnson head over to his Twitter.
The Constitution Party
Lastly, meet Darrell Castle. Currently, a Tennessean attorney for Darrell Castle and Associates, Castle served in the Marine Corps. for four years before moving onto ministry work before settling in Tennessee. Often seen to be on the extreme end of Christianity, Castle intends to rid the country of homosexuality and transgender attitudes.
Having only truly existed for 13 years, the Constitution Party is known for its extreme Christian views on politics. Party members believe in upholding Biblical values and have a strong stance on being pro-life, anti-gun control, anti-tax, anti-immigration, trade protectionist, “anti-New World Order,” anti-United Nations, anti-gay rights, anti-welfare, and pro-school prayer.
With this in mind, Castle is said to believe “that homosexuality and transsexuality are part of a greater fascist depopulation, anti-family and anti-reproduction agendas. However, these insidious agendas could only succeed with a weakened Western civilization and a discredited church.” To learn more about Darrell Castle head over to his Twitter.
So there you have it. While this is a brief overview of the three Presidential candidates of the other parties I hope it offers you a chance to go to the ballot and choose someone other than Trump or Clinton. Even if our electoral college system is corrupt and misguided leaving many to believe that a vote for a third party is a vote for Trump, I would encourage you to not listen to the masses.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes, especially after the recent Democratic National Convention leaks, so be sure you are as educated on ALL of the candidates before heading to the polling stations in November. It is my belief that the current unrest in both the Democratic and Republican parties may just pave the way for a third party to rise.
For more information on Gary Johnson and Jill Stein head to THIS site for a comparative look at the two candidates.
Rock the vote.