The Illusion of Change

Recent news about Andrew Yang's third-party movement, Forward, serves as a poignant reminder of the sentiment shared by Joe Biden: “nothing would fundamentally change.”

Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash.

This is not merely a contrarian critique of the political establishment. There are realistic pathways to address the issues of entrenched politics, corruption, and party manipulation. Introducing another political entity into a landscape already saturated with two dominant forces will not resolve these issues.

Boss Tweed, the infamous leader of New York City's Tammany Hall, once remarked, “I don’t care who does the electing as long as I do the nominating.” After observing the electoral landscape in the U.S. for the past three decades, it is evident that the focus remains on the nominating process.

It is almost comical to witness the current political system operate under the illusion that we have moved past the notorious days of Tammany Hall. The nature of corruption hasn’t vanished; it has simply evolved in form. The smoke-filled rooms of yesteryear have been replaced by more sanitized environments, yet they still serve as venues where the donor class conducts the nominations.

Andrew Yang’s Forward initiative aspires to “revitalize a just, thriving economy” and “offer Americans greater choices in elections and renewed trust in a functioning government.” While these aims are commendable, Yang's remarks to Reuters about having “donors lined up” may not inspire confidence among voters who oppose legalized corruption.

Echoing Biden's reassurance to donors, one might say, “nothing would fundamentally change.” The potential flaws in Forward's concept do not prevent it from presenting a genuine alternative to the existing major parties. However, the very nature of political parties—especially regarding funding sources—ultimately favors the elite over the majority's interests.

This brings to mind a well-known quote regarding wealth and democracy, often misattributed to Justice Louis Brandeis: "You can have wealth concentrated into fewer hands or you can have democracy. You cannot have both.” Given the increasing number of billionaires, it seems that the remnants of a representative government struggle to address the concerns of everyday voters amidst the overwhelming influence of money in public policy.

A Viable Alternative

Now, let’s explore a potential solution:

In light of advancements in mass communication, the U.S. does not require another financially draining political party. Current technology could empower voters to nominate a presidential candidate for a general election without relying on the donor class.

The electronic voting system is rapidly evolving, with companies like Voatz and Votem developing secure remote voting solutions. By the time of the 2024 presidential primaries, there’s no reason the electorate could not embrace the opportunity to nominate a nonpartisan, small donor-funded candidate, among a select few who have secured ballot access across all 50 states.

Such an initiative would need to be entirely financed by grassroots voters, a feasible task given the remarkable success of Senator Bernie Sanders in his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Over half of the $240 million raised in 2016 came from small donors contributing less than $200. Similarly, more than half of the $211 million raised in 2020 also came from small donations.

Why is Sanders’s fundraising relevant? It highlights a crucial understanding among everyday voters: their interests are far better represented by a candidate who declines funding from the elite donor class.

Even if an independently nominated candidate does not succeed in the general election, it would illustrate the obsolescence of the national party system. The direct impact voters have would resonate more strongly at the state and local levels. Why support another party or a candidate tied to a party that relies on legalized bribery?

Chapter 2: The Role of Technology in Politics

The first video titled "again&again – We Don't Need (Another Party) (ft. Ennis Joslin) (Lyrics) [CC] - YouTube" explores the sentiment of disillusionment with the current political landscape.

The second video, "we don't need (another party) (feat. ennis joslin) - YouTube," further emphasizes the need for a change beyond the existing party framework.