CiaraMar 16, 2025
So many ordinary people in the United States are taking to the streets, turning up to protest at politicians’ meetings, contacting anyone of influence they can, are organising and doing and acting. But the media (there and here) are mostly ignoring them. The revolution will not be televised, it seems. And it’s distressing to see so little (if any) institutional backing or protection for the people. It's not new, but it's alarming that the US doesn't have a functional organised opposition party.
Show threadBarbara Monaco
@CiaraNi
3rd parties have never succeeded in the US. My take? Trying to create a party from the top down simply does not work. Don't just show up every 4 years trying to elect a 3rd party president.
Grassroots is the only way to create a viable party. It's hard, often thankless work. Be prepared to lose and lose again, yet still go on. It takes courage, persistence, and a focus on the long view. Now's the time.
#thirdparty
Mar 16, 2025 at 6:37pmWeb
Show threadCiaraMar 16, 2025
@Barbramon1 Seen from afar: electoral reform is long overdue in the US which desperately needs a multi-party system and coalition state and federal governments. But the current emergency doesn't allow for the long view. In just weeks, constitutional law has been dismissed. People are being disappeared. The grassroots protests are great but (for many reasons) fragmented. Dramatic resistance and leadership of the 'former presidents on the street leading a mass national shutdown' kind seems needed.
Show threadBarbara MonacoMar 16, 2025
@CiaraNi I understand and agree. My comments were a response to someone's lamentation about lack of 3rd parties. The time to build 3rd parties was yesterday.
Sad to say, as a long-time activist, I don't see that Americans have a revolutionary spirit required by the times. That includes former presidents who have been completely quiet since Inauguration
Social media does not match the national mood I'm seeing in real life. Many, many people are sleep walking through this.
Hope I am proved wrong
Show threadCiaraMar 16, 2025
@Barbramon1 Oh sorry, I didn't mean to womansplain you, or Europa-splain you. I agree with you, and you are there and I am not. I just meant to observe the challenges of the current moment when, as you say, a revolutionary spirit is required. They're of no practical use to you, but am sending you and everyone there good thoughts and wishes for resilience and strength!
Show threadBarbara MonacoMar 16, 2025
@CiaraNi Oh, you did not offend. I truly appreciate input from fellow global citizens. Americans are very different from Europeans. We feel that we're special, that forces affecting other countries will never affect us. We've been safe from foreign invaders for 200+ years, excepting Pearl Harbor, a one time attack. No serious internal threats for 160 years.
I seriously don't know what it would take to activate people to the late 60s level of protest that helped us end the Vietnam war.
Show threadCiaraMar 16, 2025
@Barbramon1 Those are good insights. It's an awful situation.
Show threadNekodojoApr 20, 2025
@Barbramon1 @CiaraNi
Check out @WorkingFamilies as they have a good track record of working with #Democrats as a #ThirdParty without being spoilers. We need more states to bring back #FusionVoting but even without FV the #WFP is doing good work and pushing for more #Progressive candidates in Democratic primaries. The key is to bring all the voters “back home” every November.
Show threadBarbara MonacoApr 20, 2025
@nekodojo @CiaraNi @WorkingFamilies I have heard of Working Families. Will look into it when I have more time. I skimmed their website. Confused by their candidate lists. Candidates seem to be Democrats, with WF listed as well.
Does that signify endorsement? Also wondering if they are fielding their own candidates, especially for local offices like mayor, city counselor, school board, etc.
Show threadNekodojoApr 20, 2025
@Barbramon1 @CiaraNi @WorkingFamilies
Seems they are mostly endorsing Democrats at state and fed level, and it’s selective and strategic. At local level they often run against Democrats (like Philly city council is both Dem and WFP and GOP is the third party there