Introduction

Combine the political beliefs of the late park ranger, author and environmental activist Edward Abbey, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and one of their biggest fans, and you have the makings of a new political party that is intriguing, to say the least. But could such a party really make a difference, or would it it just be another novelty act among the dozens of parties that dot the political landscape?

Ultimately, that is for you to decide, for no political party can succeed without grassroots support (or compliance, in more authoritarian systems).

This website was launched on May 15, 2008, in conjunction with my sixth campaign for public office, in order to both publicize a new Fifth Republic Party and solicit feedback. At your convenience, please explore this website, spend some time thinking about it, then contact me with your comments and suggestions.

However, please note that, for the time being, the Fifth Republic Party isn’t an organization that you can officially join. It’s just an idea blowing in the wind. As I spend more time pondering the details and studying whatever feedback I get, it will hopefully continue to evolve.

Origins

An inspirational literary foray by the late park ranger and environmental activist Edward Abbey in his classic, Desert Solitaire, inspired me to name my chief political website Invisible Republic. A brief examination of U.S. history then inspired me to coin a roughly synonymous name, Fifth Republic. Allow me to explain.

The United States began as a sleepy republic composed of thirteen loosely allied states (the First Republic). It was then transformed by the Civil War into a nation with a much stronger federal government (Second Republic). The Spanish American War and the annexation of Hawaii, both in 1898, then transformed the U.S. into an empire with overseas possessions (Third Republic).

The enormous changes that have altered the U.S. since World War II, culminating in George W. Bush’s catastrohpic reign as pResident, has arguably created yet another incarnation, which can be thought of as a Fourth Republic.

Many people want to see the U.S. evolve into something kinder and gentler, a Fifth Republic.

I was elated to discover that one of my greatest heroes, President Hugo Chávez had already founded a Fifth Republic Movement in his native Venezuela. This discovery, combined with my campaign for public office, convinced me to take a stab at actually launching a new political party.

A Political Vacuum

Only an ignorant fool would protest that the U.S. doesn’t need a third party. The Republican and Democratic parties reign as twin 800-pound gorillas, and both parties are engulfed by corruption. The increasing similarity between the two parties long ago inspired the name Demopublican (or Republicrat).

Of course, there are many smaller political parties. Many refugees from the Democratic and Republican parties seek refuge in the Libertarian and Green parties. Unfortunately, it appears to me that most political parties have been infiltrated by corporate operatives, simliar to labor unions and other important institutions. That’s why I think it’s important to start at square one and create a party that is somehow resistant to manipulation by corporate interests.

Foundation

Therefore, the Fifth Republic Party’s foundation can be divided into two pillars. One can be broadly referred to as the Platform. What issues should members of the Fifth Republic Party care about, and what should their positions be?

The second pillar might be referred to as the party’s Operating Principles. This pillar arguably distinguishes the Fifth Republic Party even more than its platform, for it has to be fairly radical, in my opinion.

Obviously, all political organizations operate by certain rules. I don’t pretend to be an expert on the workings of political parties, but it’s pretty obvious that at least some of them have devolved into circus acts. As I’ve already mentioned, political parties can be easily infiltrated and manipulated by corporate operatives.

To avoid this fate, I decided to try and dream up some strategies that might discourage such tampering. One solution is to attempt to recruit people who are relatively politically astute and not corrupt.

One obvious disadvantage is that any party that discourages stupid people from joining is going to miss out on a lot of action here in the USA. After all, U.S. citizens have become famous for their stupidity.

But someone has to take a stand. I like the idea of launching an exciting new political party that quickly establishes a reputation for intelligence, credibility and honor. Party members can then work on educating fellow citizens—like all political parties should do.

Moving Forward

Thus, I face three challenges. First, I have to figure out some sort of strategy for keeping a new political party relatively pure and vital. Second, I have to brainstorm some appropriate core issues.

The third challenge is to simply publicize my ideas, solicit feedback and recruit some prospective members. I hope to accomplish that through my websites and my campaign for public office. I’m also hoping one of mentors, Hugo Chávez, will help me publicize the party he helped inspire.

At your convenience, please take a look at my prospective Platform and Operating Principles and tell me what you think. Remember, this is a fresh, new idea, so it will be rough around the edges. Indeed, some of my ideas may be a shot in the dark, but one has to start somewhere.

> Introduction