IAP Newsletter December 15, 2009

Questions submitted by an interested person.  Our answers:

1.  What types of efficiency improvements is needed within your organization?

Build and develop: leadership, technology, and personnel.

2. What are the key elements needed to “bridge” the gap between political empowerment and social justice from duopoly?

Follow the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights.

3. A major advantage of collaboration is mutual benefit. Third parties until recently have resisted collaboration. Why is this?

They are talking heads, big frogs in little ponds.

4. By not focusing on building collaboration, do third parties unintentionally miss the bigger picture of social justice?

No.

5. What would it take to move third parties beyond instrumental collaboration and engage in transformational collaboration?

Instrumental collaboration- defined as collaboration within one’s own power structure.

Transformational collaboration- defined as a bridge between service (empowerment) and justice designed to change power relations through inclusion and collaboration.

The answer is the same as above.

6. As an advocate for disenfranchised political constituents, does duopoly displace “justice” as a value with “voice”?

Justice- defined as the ability to actively fight for equitable social change.

Voice- defined as the ability to actively advocate or comment on the existing power system.

Look at answer to number 2..

7. In your work as a facilitator, have you found that your constituent population has the ability to take control of their destiny? What is needed to empower third party constituents?

No.  The answer is one-on-one mentoring.

8. What are the key strategies for building empowerment collaboration inside your organization? With stakeholders, community, and other third party groups.

Develop every facet and then implement it for all categories.

9. Are there “little victories,”? If so what are they and how do you plan to build upon them?

People getting involved and more should be involved and growth experienced more.

10. Do you believe that the two-party system will eventually embrace “true” democracy in America?

No. We are not a democracy, but are a Republic.

11. How important is it to persuade the masses of its social responsibility to protect democracy from duopoly as a first step toward redefining the common good and focusing on broader inclusion?

 Very important, refer to answer for nr. 2.

12. Will collaboration with other third parties aid in broadening this range of input concerning the common good?

No. NO COMPROMISE, except when a conservative candidate is running, and we have no candidate at this time. Party growth, not compromise!  We refuse to compromise correct principles for any person, party or group.

13. Ross Perot’s Presidential bid in 1992 drew much needed attention to the third party movement. Will we see this again? If so, why? In whom?

Yes. From the need seen, by the Independent American Party

14.Can we achieve a more inclusive common democracy without the public's or the courts' involvement?

Yes, as the Independent American Party.

15. What is the platform for your organization? Issues? Concerns?

Access website www.usiap.org beliefs section, bylaws, etc., for answers.

16. What were your organization's major achievements from the 2008 election? Who do you plan in building on them?

Began to build our party and called on people to become involved. We will build by constituent involvement and donations.

17. What role or responsibility do you see for third parties in America?

We are not interested in other “third parties”, but see our party as the focus.

18. The greatest advantage the two party systems have is its continued maintenance of political inequality. How have this inequality impacted your service delivery to your constituents specifically messaging and ballot access?

They have not continued and it has increased our opportunity to grow and is being done.

19. Define Arkansas ballot access laws in your own words and explain what they mean to you?

What they mean to our party is the same that they should mean to you, and it is not fair to our Independent American Party that voters do not have freedom of choice.

20. The Green Party has sued the State recently challenging its ballot access laws definition “significant modicum of support” for political parties. Do you see any impact to your organization? What plans in are in place to deal with it/them?

We seek growth to impact all problems.

21. With the 2010 and 2012 elections forthcoming, what plans are in place to engage and empower your constituents? What in the area of community outreach/recruitment?

Ask them to get involved by scheduled and planned means.

22. Funding rising is a major challenge for third parties. What was done in the past? What is being done now?

Less than what was needed and a planned approach is being set in motion.

23. What is the demographic makeup of your constituents? Do your current demographics help or hurt your mission? What is being done to increase diversity? Minority: Blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, etc.? Youth outreach? LBGT? Veterans? Etc.

We have nationwide constituents and in process of appointing diversity coordinators.

24. How do you plan on serving these groups better?

Our party has always treated all humans in an excellent way.

25. Does your organization platform address the needs and concerns of these groups? If so who and why?

Go to our party website, then tell me what you think.

26. The last election showing who the use of technology can help to raise funds, reach and engage Americans. What role do you believe technology will have on your organizations future? Fund rising? Outreach? Messaging?

We are moving into the technology phase at a fast pace and one will accomplish all those other things.

27. As a veteran, the issue of ballot access is very personal to me. Is America’s two-party system disrespectful to the services and sacrifices of veterans? What is being done to make Americans aware of this discrepancy between what America say and do?

Enough is not being done in any area.

28. What programs or ideals do you have to educate the public about what ballot access means to them and America?

By implementing every area of the Independent American Party.