As we approach the presidential election, I can proudly say I am not supporting either of the main candidates, but that I am a member of the American Solidarity Party. Like Don Quixote, I shall don my saucepan helmet, ride out on Rocinante, and tilt at some windmills.
We all know the set reactions to third party politics in the USA:
“Why go with a known loser?”
“You have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning.”
“It’s a wasted vote.”
“You’re dividing the votes for the good guy!”
“You’re only throwing another vote to the bad guy!”
… and so forth and so on.
There’s an old saying that “Good news is only good when its subversive.” By “subversive,” I do not mean revolutionary, but “undermining,” more in the manner of the court jester than the sanctimonious activist—more Marx Brothers than Marxist.
So here are twelve reasons why a good conservative ought to support the American Solidarity Party: five based on their platform and seven based on broader principles.
- The ASP party platform is pro-life. Not only do they stand against abortion, but they defend workers against exploitation and have sensible, positive ideas about gun ownership and health care.
- The ASP calls for a generous response to immigrants while also demanding that the government secures our national borders properly.
- The ASP supports common-sense environmental initiatives. Without being crazy tree-huggers, they promote responsible care for the environment that corrects wanton commercial exploitation.
- They uphold family values—upholding marriage as fundamentally between one man and one woman for life, and they call for the repeal of laws that undermine the family, and for legislation that supports and promotes the traditional family.
- Their platform calls for the USA to be a force for peace in the world, avoiding un necessary conflicts and for foreign policy to be guided by time-tested just war principles.
- In many states, supporting a third party will not affect the outcome in the electoral college. One can therefore proudly vote according to one’s beliefs and principles instead of holding one’s nose and voting against the other guy.
- There is something noble about voting against the tide and supporting the underdog—knowing that you will not win. This is a Don Quixote/Cyrano de Bergerac sort of lofty resilience and resistance.
- Supporting the ASP means holding your head up (because you are gazing at the stars) rather than hanging your head because you were gazing at the gutter.
- Great things start small and are built brick by brick by people with principles, passion, brains, and determination. ASP may be small now, but given time ASP may stand also for the “American Stubborn Party.”
- The corrupt and extremist two main parties are united in one thing: the determination to quash third parties. By joining and supporting the ASP, you can give the main parties their due respect.
- The platform of the ASP is one of common sense for the common good. Most people recognize the need for balance, and ASP provides it.
- When you donate to and support the ASP, you can be sure your donations and support are valued. Who hears you among the donkeys and elephants? Be a pelican. (P.S.: The nurturing pelican is the ASP mascot)
So, as we approach the presidential election, I can proudly say I am not supporting either of the main candidates, but that I am a member of the American Solidarity Party.
Lest anyone start wringing their hands and worrying that I, as a Catholic priest, am publicly endorsing a particular candidate or party, let it be on the record that I am NOT endorsing Pete Sonski for president nor am I endorsing the American Solidarity Party. Far be it from me to endorse a faithful Catholic candidate or to endorse a party whose platform aligns with Catholic social teaching!
Instead, as an American citizen with the right to support a candidate and a party and to speak my mind, I privately support Pete Sonski’s campaign and the platform of the American Solidarity Party. Whether I can actually vote for them or not depends on whether they are able to appear on the ballot.
In the meantime, like Don Quixote, I shall don my saucepan helmet, ride out on Rocinante, and tilt at some windmills.
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The featured image is courtesy of Pixabay.
