Why Principle over Party?
Because a lifetime of public service and a strong dose of American history proves to us that America’s political parties are out of control and should be taken out to pasture – permanently.
Most Americans did not grow up dreaming about being Republicans or Democrats. Most Americans have no engagement with a local or state political party. Truth be told, political parties do almost nothing for most American citizens so little wonder people pay them no mind anymore.
So why are the Parties still controlling the process?
The answer is almost self-evident because it is so self-serving. The political parties process the necessary paperwork for candidates, raise money, and dole it out to candidates promising to do the bidding of the party. In return a number of party operatives in each state get full-time salaries to handle the paperwork and keep the process going.
Incumbent party lawmakers have crafted election laws so that “major parties” get recognized for ballot access and other privileges as well.
Do you have to be a member of a political party to run for office?
In almost every state in the union and in almost every race for office the answer is no. All you have to do to run for office is fill out the necessary paperwork and gather enough signatures to appear on the ballot.
Isn’t the two-party system “the law” in America? Isn’t it the best way to run things?
No, in fact, Abraham Lincoln ran as a third party candidate for President and won the election in a four candidate race. The Founders didn’t not even participate in “parties”. No such entities were functioning until the fourth Presidential election. George Washington spoke about the grave dangers of political parties in his famous farewell address.
So how did we get so wrapped up in the two party system?
Mostly be default. Human nature being what it is, it didn’t take much success in the American system of government before people figured out how to take advantage of the concept of representative government. Once state and federal budgets began to get anchored with income tax dollars and budgets began to grow controlling those budgets became a growth industry. Local pols and Congressional reps found ways to make public service a fantastic job with great benefits and next thing we knew, political parties became the PR machines and executive agencies for career incumbents.
Is there anything wrong with being a member of a political party?
Certainly not. It’s a free country and being in a party is not better or worse than being out of a party. The right to voluntary association is something no one should surrender. The question is, “what is the purpose of being a part of the party?”
Don’t parties stand for something? Isn’t this where political ideology flows from?
Hardly. Each national party has a platform which members construct at national conventions every four years. Doesn’t mean the state or local party is obligated to hold one tenet of the national platform. No candidates are sworn to abide by a single word of the platforms. It’s all just a symbolic debate.
Is Liberty Committee a front for another party?
Nope.
Is Liberty Committee trying to start a third party?
See answer above.
The last thing America needs is another political party. What we need is a mindset of participation where the “body politic” John Adams wrote about so long ago finds its mind, voice, and strength and begins to hold every elected official accountable to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution and our state constitutions.
What exactly does the Liberty Committee want me to do?
- Register to vote and vote in every election
- Read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
- Support candidates that will stand with us for principle over party.
- If you are qualified, run for public office, if not, find somebody who is and help them get into candidate training so they can run.
- Support The Liberty Committee annually or monthly so we can reach more people and elect more principled candidates.