Name one instance.

Why try to change a dog's spots?  Reform from within is a giant job and certain to be a distraction to the work that needs to be done.  A new party offers a clear agenda without any baggage.

I probably should have said that it 'seems' easier to reform an existing party than it is to create a new one. Ross Perot, I believe, created the 'reform party'. And he had the bucks to back him up. And although he pulled about 8% of the votes, he lost. My personal feeling is, Perot had the smarts and the bucks but wanted to run his own show, and he fell short of a win. But when the election was over, it went back to the status quo.

There are many conservs out there who are biting at the bit to bring their party back to it's grass roots and are now trying to doing so. The dems and reps, locally, are in need of new leadership. Buchanan and Quail should go.  

My personal opinion is to jump into an already existing party and fight for change.   There are quite a few out there, from what I hear, that are willing to jump in with you. Or else just campaign to vote the bad guys out. The political reform idea has been going on since the early 1800's.  

You said that you like to hear the negative side as it just strengthens your ideas....I hoped I helped. Actually I say 'go for it'!

I absolutely like to hear the downside.  It's the only way to properly assess risk.  I thoroughly appreciate the comments you made.  I said somewhere else I don't claim to have all the answers.  The approach you mention is valid enough...I just don't think it's a fit with where my mind is right now.

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Why try to change a dog's spots?  Reform from within is a giant job and certain to be a distraction to the work that needs to be done.  A new party offers a clear agenda without any baggage.

Howard Dean's campaign in 2000 moved the democrat party more to the left than any other democrat in recent memory.  Even though he lost, Howard Dean became the head of the DNC, and with his successful grass roots style campaign, he forces all national democratic candidates from that point on to pander to those grass roots liberals he courted during his campaign.  

With the current weakness of the county Republican party, I believe it would be a much easier for you to redirect the party from within than to start a third party on your own.  If you can show that your message is a winner, like Dean did in 2000, and motivate a disenfranchised voting block to get out and vote for the party you represent, you will then be a voice heard in the republican party.  Remember republicans want to win also.  If your message can help accomplish that, they would be more than willing to have you on board.

Interesting point, Cicero and one I appreciate.  The counter-approach both you and bumblethru advocate is not lost on me.  I think my reluctance to go that route is rooted in my past experiences trying to work within the party structure.  One thing I know I couldn't tolerate and also know I'd never be able to control is the negative campaigning that gets done.  Like you said, they're happy to have you on board as long as you fall in step and can win.  They don't much care what they might have to do in order to win.

If I create a new party, the aim is to strip it down to some basic, immediate needs and solutions.  Too much time and effort is wasted on protecting party interests.  Why not focus on the residents for a change?

It all comes down to what you point out.  Can I show my message is a winner?  Doesn't matter what party I'm with.  Can I show my message is a winner?  I'm prepared to learn my message is not what people want if it comes down to that but I've got to feel I carried it to them as intended.

Michael, I too share your vision as I'm sure others do too. We can't forget that ALL political parties started with the same vision. But somehow, hunger for power and corruptness and self service and personal political agendas and special interest groups become the forefront. At this  point I believe or should I say I could only wish, that ALL politiccal parties would go back to their roots. What was their vision and passion for the representation of the people? Renew the spirit and pride of service.

I believe that even if another party was started, it would eventually become as the others. Even if it took decades. I also believe in party reform. Or changing the landscape of government one election at a time.

Intellectually I agree with Cicero on this, but emotionally I want you to go ahead with this and see where it goes.  The sad fact is it would seem the residents of Rotterdam could miss out on you serving them if you fail.  Cicero makes sense in that the Republican Party should appreciate your eagerness and welcome you with open arms.  As I go to different Republican functions it appears as though that is whats missing, eagerness and passion.  There is plenty of strategizing and posturing but the passion to serve ones community and the residents in it is not evident to me.  If the passion is there the winning will follow.......how silly and simplistic is that?

Paradoxically, my passion can sometimes be my own worst enemy.  

I've decided to flesh out my town views on a separate blog that I'm using as a learning tool for something else.  For anybody who cares, it's rotterdamny.blogspot.com

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Paradoxically, my passion can sometimes be my own worst enemy.

I feel your pain

4974.  

4930.

These are the two numbers I'll discuss in my next blog entry.  Anyone have an idea what they represent?

No clue here.

Looks like tallied votes from an election. (a close election!)

Where is my bumper sticker........

OK Michael I think we waited long enough.....what does it mean?  I checked your blog and the answer isn't there.