FL: Tea Party and Whig Party Challenge Democrat-Republican Rule in the Sunshine State

Given this week's tax day tea party protests, it is worth reiterating that any movement intent on fostering constitutional representative government is doomed to failure if it works within the confines established by the Democratic-Republican two-party state and ruling political class. Like untold numbers of anti-war activists during the Bush administration, many in the tea party movement have, unfortunately, been duped by the propagandists of lesser-evilism in the corporate media and the major parties. However, others nonetheless recognize that Democratic-Republican Party government is a threat to representative constitutional government, the principles of republicanism and the imperatives of democracy. As Jack Kenny writes for the New American, the two-party system is a "big government con-game." Recognition of this simple fact informs the efforts of two new third party opposition movements in the state of Florida.

The Ledger profiles Doug Guetzloe, a consultant and strategist for the new Tea Party of Florida, which has recruited its first candidate, Peg Dunmire, to challenge Democrat Alan Grayson in the state's 8th Congressional District. From the Ledger:

The Tea Party, which recently opened an office in downtown Orlando, just recruited its first congressional candidate. Peg Dunmire is challening U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, in the state's 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Orange, Lake and Osceola counties, the theme parks and Lake Buena Vista, and the community of Celebration. Dunmire is running on a platform of scaling back on the reach of the federal government and eliminating the budget deficit – a platform that Guetzloe thinks could send her to Washington.

“If you look at the district, it's 41 percent registered Democrats and 38 percent registered Republicans,” Guetzloe said. “You've got a significant amount of non-party voters.” . . .

Between the Democrats being on the defensive about the soaring budget deficit and high jobless rate, and the GOP still trying to explain why spending rose so quickly under their own watch, Guetzloe says a third party has a better chance today than at any time since 1860 . . .

The Florida Whig Party hopes to capitalize on this situation as well, which is running six candidates for congressional and county offices. Craig Porter, who is running for Congress in Florida's 25th CD recently became the first Whig to qualify for federal office in over 150 years. From the party's press release:

Craig Porter filed on Monday as the first Whig to qualify for federal office since the 1850s. Mr. Porter, 49, is a contractor, lifetime resident of Miami, is married and the father of three children. With over 25 years of business management and ownership experience, community involvement, and a man who has the core values of “We the People” where principles come before a political party, the Florida Whig Party Executive Board welcomes the leadership and fortitude that Craig Porter brings to the Florida Whig Party, the State of Florida, and the 25th Congressional District.

There is no lack of third party and independent alternatives to the stooges of the Democratic and Republican Parties in the Sunshine State this year. Politics1 lists over 40 third party and independent candidates for governor, Senate and Congress in Florida this year, including Libertarians, Greens, Socialists and numerous independents.