As the first Tea Party convention convenes this weekend in Nashville, we've been asking what you would call your own political party and what would its platform be.
"My party would be called 'The Party of Family Values' where no one would lack health care. No one would be discriminated based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. America would not go to war without provocation if I were president. All kids would get a first class education based on their ability and not ability to pay. Oh, hold on… That name has been taken!"
—Amanda (via email)
Listener (via telephone):
The party would be called "The Big Middle." It would strive to mobilize all moderates while marginalizing the extreme Right and Left.
—Charlie (via web)
"Center Forward: Blending forward thinking social ideas with fiscal responsibility."
—Terri (via Facebook)
Chris from Big Pine Key, FL:
"There are Democrats (lots of ideas and heart with no spine), and Republicans (guns, money, and spine but no heart). There are independents (ideas and spine, but no muscle) and extremists (only one idea). It may be that all these are actually the puppets of the corporations (lots of ideas, lots of money, a strong spine, lots of muscle, and make the guns)."
—Alan (via web)
Troy from North Dakota:
"The TOGA PARTY. Premise: That clothing is at the root of all of society's ills. Solution: Mandated National Uniform: The Toga.
Reasons and Benefits of the Toga: Pays homage to our Greco-Roman heritage; Only minimum adjustments required between male or female togas, advancing the cause of gender equality; Eliminates class distinction based on wardrobe; Crime reduction: youth no longer lured into criminal activity for the obtainment of $120 high-fashion sneakers; As an obese nation, the Toga provides maximum obfuscation of one's personal shape, and eliminates unsightliness of ill-advised use of spandex, displays of the midriff, cleavage, and butt cracks. World Peace is inevitable."
—Jeremy (via web)
Susanna from Aiken, SC:
"The Mr. T. Party: Leadership through intimidation and gold chains. We pity the fools who oppose our policies."
—Allen (via web)
"The Bull Noose Party: 'Lying Politicians? We hang 'em!'"
—Mark (via web)
Listener from Michigan:
Today's Takeaway: What the Mortgage Settlement Means
Comedian Baratunde Thurston on 'How to Be Black'
Today's Takeaway: Focus on Violence Syria
In-Depth Look at the Situation in Syria
Some Combat Restrictions for Women Lifted
Today's Takeaway: Big Night for Rick Santorum
Newly-Discovered Recordings Shed Light on a Young Malcolm X
'Tebow Bill' May Allow Home-Schoolers to Play on High School Teams
Today's Takeaway: Multi-Billion Dollar Foreclosure Settlement Imminent
Is Our Constitution Out of Date?
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
Comments [3]
MEOW
My party would be called the Communitarian Party. It would be dedicated to the good of society as a whole, and would put the skids on the cult of "individual rights." Unlike the era of the founders, our country in 2010 is far too big and diverse to let everyone do exactly as he/she wants, without a care as to how it affects everyone else. This approach would have a lot to say about health care, the banking crisis, and scores of other issues.
The CSP - The Common Sense Party. Party heads are required to have had 1) a minimum wage job in the last 15 years.* 2) a minimum of 2 children with public school educations. 3) a working wife/husband 4) No trust in politicians. 5) a fundimental religious background. 6) MUST be nominated by no less than 50 people that have nothing to gain. * enlisted military service (honorable) can be substituted.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.