Dear Founders,
I like everything I've seen about the idea of Unity08 but I'm dismayed at the execution so far.
The primary mode of public participation is the SHOUTBOX which in my view has become just that - a forum for opposing viewpoints to shout at, and past, each other. It's not a place where ideas evolve. It’s a place where ideologies become more rigid and where participation gets thinned out (over hundreds of posts), worn out (over a fairly high level of incoherent babbling) and eventually dropped out (in disgust). Just a quick survey of post and comment dates shows lots of activity in June and July and less in August and September (so far).
To attract and hold interest, you need a move more concise and far better organized policy document. The eventual contents of this document should be a well vetted consensus of the community’s more centrist belief. I believe that the best method for creating this document is to establish a (moderated?) platform wiki. I’ve posted this in “Help us build it” to little response.
Also, I don’t get the whole “we don’t want to become a political party” thing. Why not? Sure, since the Democrats have told Lieberman that he’s not Left Wing enough and after the Republicans tell McCain that he’s not Right Wing enough, we can nominate these guys (whether they’ll accept is another issue) but what’s the point. I doubt that this symbolic act will scare the two major parties into suddenly changing their stripes and even if it does, it will only be for long enough to dissipate the threat.
If you really want to change politics for the better, walk out into the center of the political spectrum and drive a stake in the ground. Declare a centrist position. Welcome candidates at all levels of government. Hit the Democrats and Republicans where they live – in their home districts.
What would government look like if neither party controlled congress?
What would politics look like if the votes in the safe states counted as much as the votes in the battleground states?
There has never been a better time for change since the Republicans displaced the Whigs than today.
Sitting politicians are becoming independent at a steady clip. Third parties have elected governors.
Seize this moment! Be bold!
