Instant runoff voting is the best realistic step I see in the direction of making American third parties more viable. It's happening in a few states (there's currently a proposal in Vermont, supported by the Govenor, to start using IRV to elect Vermont Govenors), and some leftists are beginning to be aware of its potential. Nader endorsed IRV in his big Portland speech last week, for instance. But I agree, there needs to be a lot more activity on this front.
--BD
----- Original Message ----- From: "Brett Knowlton" <brettk at unica-usa.com> To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com> Sent: Monday, August 28, 2000 12:56 PM Subject: Lesser-evilism and third parties
: The problem is the winner take all system itself. If we had
proportional
: representation, this dilemma would melt away, and progressives
wouldn't
: have to worry about being sold out by New Democrats (and right-wing
: fascists wouldn't have to worry about being muzzled by compassionate
: Republicans).
:
: Obviously we don't have proportional representation, and I'm not
claiming I
: have a vision of how to best move in that direction. But I do find
it
: surprising and a bit depressing (note the small 'd') that there
isn't more
: discussion/agitation around this kind of electoral change on the
Left.
:
: Brett