Medved: A Long Tradition of Fringe Parties and Paranoia

[EveningStar]

Michael Medved
Townhall.com
July 23, 2008

The fringe candidates in this election cycle – Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party, Bob Barr of the Libertarians, Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, Ralph Nader in his independent run – all to some extent rely on deeply paranoid conspiracy theories to power their campaigns. In this, they honor a long and embarrassing tradition for third parties, who have usually blamed their own lack of power or influence on the diabolical plots of some secretive group or another.
More, with reader comments (http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelMedved/2008/07/23/a_long_tradition_of_fringe_parties_and_paranoia?pa ge=full&comments=true)

[jayson]

Yet again Michael is so terribly off the mark that it's embarrassing. I don't know why they keep publishing his vacuous articles. What a tool.

[Neil Peart]

Yet again Michael is so terribly off the mark that it's embarrassing.No, he's actually got this completely right. Third parties, historically and currently, are little more than a bunch of fringe lunatics.

[Timberwolf]

Despite the abject failure of all the “anti-Masonic” agitators, in the last 180 years we’ve remained obviously free from the horrifying domination of Freemasonry
Have we? Enquiring minds want to know...

—though some of the followers of today’s fringe parties (many of whom suffer night-sweats over the “North American Union” and other chimeras) may still insist that our very freedom is nothing more than an illusion, planted by the diabolical forces always ready to impose their conspiratorial will.
Hey, let's get Mikey...yeah, he won't believe it, he doubts everything!!
Mikey...check out the insidious way FedGov has "imposed their conspiratorial will" upon us for the past 150 years. It's gotten so bad, Oklahoma finally decided to do something about it.

We've become serfs and subjects to the crown...only, instead of King & Queen they're now known as Senators, Congressmen, and a politically activist Judiciary.

[Maggie_T]

We've become serfs and subjects to the crown...only, instead of King & Queen they're now known as Senators, Congressmen, and a politically activist Judiciary.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Absolutely, Wolf. And Americans only have themselves to blame for that. They forgot to remind the above-menioned bastards - as well as themselves - that THEY work for THE PEOPLE, not the other way around.

And that turned us into what you said, serfs and subjects, increasingly dependent on their masters to provide for them.

Sad.

[Lazarus]

Medved may be right in general with respect to third parties historically... And he certainly has the right to criticize them individually on a case by case basis if he disagrees with their platforms and motivations...

But to denounce the concept of the right to form political parties outside of the two "big dogs" is arrogant and a direct attack on the basic right of free speech that this nation was founded on...

These smaller parties may be less successful because of their platforms, but they are indulging in the most basic freedoms that our Constitution guarantees, and to suggest that they should cease to exist because they "embarrass" some political elitists is to suggest that we should all give up our right to free speech and self determination, and simply line up and march in lock-step behind those two political megoliths that arrogantly presume to direct our political path without regard to the will of the people...

I can only conclude that Mr Medved is ashamed of and opposed to the principles of freedom that this nation was founded on, and would wish that we all evolve to the higher state of political slavery to the two parties HE has approved of...

God forbid we should embarrass him and the rest of our self-appointed political masters with our quaint and outmoded concepts of free thought and self-determination...

:finger:

[PaulRevere]

Historically, third parties appealed to a narrow set of voters who were attracted to them for particular issues. If their main issue became popular enough that one party feared that they were losing too many voters, they adopted those issues onto their party platforms. In this way they have served quite useful functions.

Don't ask me for details because it's been too long that I've read on the subject, but in the 19th century there were a lot of them around.

[EveningStar]

I've heard Medved speak about third parties many times on his radio show.

One of the things he talks about is that the Green, Libertarian, and Constitution parties combined drew less than 1% of the popular vote in the 2004 presidential election.

He also characterizes many of the members of those parties as being insane.

[DeclinetoState]

Would Medved consider Ralph Nader insane?

(I think Ann Coulter already does.)

[Lazarus]

I've heard Medved speak about third parties many times on his radio show.

One of the things he talks about is that the Green, Libertarian, and Constitution parties combined drew less than 1% of the popular vote in the 2004 presidential election...If that's true, one wonders why he's so obsessed with tearing them down...:question:

Is he that insecure?

[EveningStar]

Would Medved consider Ralph Nader insane?

I have no idea.

[DeclinetoState]

Well, he does suggest that Ralph relies on "deeply paranoid conspiracy theories" to justify his candidacy.

[DoctorDoom]

Nader's just senile.

I have decided to vote for my idol, God Johan Josephe Lally (http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=83111). However, there are many other "other" candidates of equal merit.

2008 Presidential Candidates in Parties other than Democratic and Republican (http://www.votesmart.org/election_president_search.php?party=Other&go.x=6&go.y=13)

How about Jesus Bilal Islam Allah 'Alfred Lawrence Patterson' Muhammed (http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=83502)?

[DesertFox]

But to denounce the concept of the right to form political parties outside of the two "big dogs" is arrogant and a direct attack on the basic right of free speech that this nation was founded on... He doesn't do that. He merely says that historically, third Parties have been flaky. And he's right on the money.

[Timberwolf]

I've heard Medved speak about third parties many times on his radio show.

One of the things he talks about is that the Green, Libertarian, and Constitution parties combined drew less than 1% of the popular vote in the 2004 presidential election.

He also characterizes many of the members of those parties as being insane.
Yes, I'm sure he does.

I'm sure the REPUBLICANS were viewed in the same light when THEY were a 3rd party...

In the eyes of some, it's either a 3rd party or "staining the streets of liberty with the blood of patriots and tyrants".

Take your pick, but something's gotta give...and whether that something is peaceful or not, I fear, makes no difference whatsoever to those who truly love this country and the rule of law - i.e. The Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights. Those who would see our beloved country sold out from underneath us, for nothing more than their own power and comfort, must be put down like the rabid dogs they are.

That day will come...the sooner the better.